Before the French team’s next two matches against Germany and Chile, Didier Deschamps faces a small headache in central defense with the unavailability of Ibrahima Konaté and the situation of Dayot Upamecano at Bayern.
Three months before Euro 2024 (June 14-July 14) and matches against Austria, the Netherlands and the winner of the A play-off, Didier Deschamps, the coach of the France team, is probably not not set on his typical defense. The Blues coach will have the opportunity to test new formulas during the two preparation matches in March, against Germany on the 23rd at Groupama Stadium and against Chile on the 26th at the Stade Vélodrome.
Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano, associated in the central hinge following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are in a bad situation. The Liverpool stopper, injured in a thigh, did not play in the Reds’ clash against Manchester City (1-1) on Sunday in the Premier League. To see if it will be restored in 10 days. Jürgen Klopp would prefer to see him stay on Merseyside. Upamecano, after seeing red against Lazio in the Champions League, has since been kept on the Bayern bench in the Bundesliga (Matthijs de Ligt, Kim Min-Jae and Eric Dier being associated).
Who with Saliba?
The real headache for “La Dèche” is also dealing with a breathtaking William Saliba with Arsenal since last season. The former Stéphanois deserves to be tried in several matches. With which teammate? Jean-Clair Todibo and Axel Disasi have a string of average performances at the moment, respectively with OGC Nice and Chelsea. This leaves a chance for Lucas Hernandez to be associated with Saliba in the center, he who has alternated between his two preferred positions at PSG since the start of the season.
Concerning the full-backs, at least we know the forces involved. Jules Koundé, now well established as Barça’s right-back, is a little ahead of Jonathan Clauss who is returning to OM as well as Benjamin Pavard, who is very good as a right-sided defender. On the left, the Hernandez brothers are in competition, with a Lucas possible central defender and a Théo capable of being decisive offensively. Deschamps will not be able to take everyone, since the Euro 2024 lists will include 23 players.
