Despite an anecdotal misstep during its last friendly match in Germany (1-2), the France team is rolling through its qualifying group for Euro 2024, with five victories in five matches. On the occasion of the 6th day of the qualifiers, the Blues can even almost guarantee their place in Germany since in the event of a victory in the Netherlands, they would have nine points ahead of the Oranjes, their main competitor. However, the task will be more complicated than expected, particularly due to the injuries disrupting the French defense.
“When there are packages that add up, it is often in the same sector. It’s not ideal, I prefer to have everyone available with automation, but it also gives the opportunity to see other players., tempered Didier Deschamps in front of the press this Monday. Because for this gathering, the coach had to do without Wesley Fofana, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and William Saliba, replaced by Jean-Clair Todibo, as well as Castello Lukeba and the right side Malo Gusto, who will celebrate their first gathering, but it remains difficult to see the two ex-Lyonnais lined up from the start against the Dutch.
The return of a three-way defense?
Didier Deschamps will be able to count on three experienced defenders, namely Ibrahima Konaté, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez. However, even if DD had suggested that Pavard aspired to also evolve in the axis with his new club Inter Milan, it remains difficult to see the Blues coach opting again for a three-way defense. A system abandoned shortly before the start of the 2022 World Cup and since the fiasco of the Nations League, in the summer of 2022.
It is therefore difficult to see Didier Deschamps completely shake up his system for a big qualifying match, against an important opponent. In place since his very good 2022 World Cup, Konaté should be back in the starting lineup, but he will have to do without his friend from Qatar, Upamecano and Fofana, who supported him during the match in Gibraltar (3-0). The Liverpool defender could therefore be associated with Jean-Clair Todibo, who had not reassured in Germany with Saliba, but Deschamps praised his recent good qualities with OGC Nice. Although new in the hierarchy of the Blues, the Nice player seems a relevant choice since Axel Disasi is now out and Castello Lukeba has only just been called up, as a surprise.
Towards a new hinge
Another more reasonable solution is to move Lucas Hernandez to central defense. Although he has not left his left-back position since his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain, he still seems to be in competition for this position with his brother, Théo. But Didier Deschamps had already aligned him in the center, during the last home match against Ireland, with Théo on the left wing (2-0). Not at the top physically, his association with Upamecano had still worked and he could therefore, this time, be alongside Ibrahima Konaté.
Otherwise, Didier Deschamps could also take advantage of the versatility of Benjamin Pavard to place him in the center, but we will then have to trust Jonathan Clauss on the right flank. “Jonathan is not gambling with his life, this is not a passing exam. I can’t take this immense disappointment away from him, but if he’s here today, it’s because he deserves it.”assured the coach of the Blues, who will therefore have a lot of work in training to find the right formula among his eight defenders.
