We meet once again. 5 months after the first meeting between Gibraltar and the French team (3-0 success for the Blues), the two teams play the “return” meeting this evening in Nice (kick-off 8:45 p.m.) on the occasion of the 9th and penultimate day of the qualifying phase for Euro 2024. The opportunity for the French to put on a show against one of the weakest European nations, even though they have already obtained their ticket for the Germany. There is still an interest in the draw to finish top seed.
This is why the 11 players chosen by Didier Deschamps must be serious and not make any mistakes. It’s not like a coach to take a match lightly. He therefore lines up his typical team of the moment. If Samba had had his only selection in the first leg, it is Maignan who will start in this 4-3-3. The AC Milan goalkeeper will be protected by a hinge composed of Upamecano and the regional player of the stage, Jean-Clair Todibo who would honor his 2nd selection. Théo Hernandez would start on the left side, with Jonathan Clauss in the right lane.
Zaire-Emery to start in the middle?
In the middle, there are some uncertainties since Tchouaméni, forfeited for this rally, and Camavinga, injured three days ago in training, are in Madrid. To accompany Antoine Griezmann and Adrien Rabiot, the coach will have to choose between Youssouf Fofana and Boubacar Kamara, unless he decides to start the newcomer to the Blues: Warren Zaire-Emery. It is indeed the young Parisian who would hold the rope. Finally, up front, there should be no surprises. Coman and Mbappé will start in support of Marcus Thuram, preferred to Kolo Muani and Giroud.
This composition will probably be enough to beat Gibraltar, who are preparing a defensive tactic according to the latest implementations of Julio Ribas. We are heading towards a 5-4-1. As in June, Coleing will start in goal. To accompany the pistons that are Sergeant on the right and Britto on the left, the hinge would be composed of Captain Chipolina, Annestey and Mouelhi. A notch above, a Rona-Walker-Pozo-El Hmidi line is expected to accompany the only De Barr aligned at the forefront and hope to score this first goal in these qualifications.
