Four months after their last successful outing against Italy in Milan (3-1), the players of the French team are preparing to swelt the heating blue. A 1/4 final, not a World Cup or Euro, but from the League of Nations awaits them against Croatia (20 in France, and the 23 in Croatia). This March rally will also sound like the return of Kylian Mbappé, absent in the last two, and perhaps the beginnings of others. On a level of Didier Deschamps, seeing one or two new faces would not be a cultural revolution, but that would still translate an evolution. So who could be part of the happy? Regarding the guards, uncertainty is complete. Will the tricolor coach call Lucas Chevalier, or will he bet on the Alphonse Areola Experience card?
As a reminder, the Lille was summoned in November when the West Ham porter was slightly injured. We will therefore know Thursday if knight is really positioned as 3rd or 4th goalkeeper solution in the spirit of Deschamps. Benjamin Pavard finds continuity with Inter Milan, and it would not be foolish to see Deschamps recall it (he had been summoned during the last rally after Wesley Fofana's injury). What about Pierre Kalulu? DD had recently confided in following Turin's performances, and with regard to his last months, his name could enter his reflection (he can play on the right and in the axis like Pavard, but just returned from injury). Even if the probability of seeing him put on the blue jersey this month is very thin, it will also be necessary to follow the situation of Lucas Hernandez, not yet returned to his best level, but historical framework of Deschamps. Despite a very big season with Atlético de Madrid, a player like Clément Lenglet seems to start far too far.
A first for Goué, Cherki or Akliouche?
In the midfield, it is not guaranteed that Zaïre-Emery is called, the Parisian being back recently after an ankle injury. The same goes for Boubacar Kamara and his 27 minutes of play since his return to the field. On the other hand, if surprised there was to be, she could name herself Corentin Tolisso, radiating with OL and more recalled since Euro 2021. Khéphren Thuram, who is taking more and more thickness at Juventus Turin, also postulates, two years after his first and last cape (1 minute of play against the Netherlands in March 2023), to come back.
There is also the question of the famous creative profile. Griezmann now retired, not in the form of his life, three elements therefore seem to get out: Maghnes Akliouche, whose performances with Monaco in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League could play his advantage, desired gifted, in full emergence at PSG and still the author of an exceptional entry against Liverpool on Tuesday, and finally Rayan Cherki, who is not necessarily the best season By playing that the Europa League. Didier Deschamps will raise all these uncertainties on Thursday, at 2:00 p.m.
