This is the last test before the start of the World Cup. The France team travels to Denmark, in Copenhagen, for the last day of the group stage of the League of Nations, Sunday, September 25. The Blues, who raised their heads and ended four games without a win thanks to their success (2-0) over Austria, will seek to finish in the best possible way, in an opposition with varied stakes, against a training that France will find in the World Cup on November 26.
Definitely remove the threat of relegation
The maintenance in League A is not yet acquired. Last in Group 1 at the start of the international break, the Blues came back ahead of Austria after their victory at the Stade de France (2-0) against David Alaba’s teammates on Thursday evening. But they are not permanently immune. In case of defeat (or draw) in Denmark, and success of Austria against Croatia, France would finish red lantern and would be relegated to League B, like England. Another consequence: this relegation would place France in hat 2 for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, with the risk of facing another major European nation (Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium…) on the road to Germany.
Confirmed Pots for EURO 2024 Qualifying draw
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6 –28 of 53 team pots are known at this point
—We Global Football (@We_Global) September 23, 2022
Fill up on confidence before replaying Denmark at the World Cup
The confrontation will also have its psychological importance. While the two selections must meet in Group D of the World Cup in Qatar, in their second match on November 26, the winner of the evening will undoubtedly take the psychological advantage over his opponent. “The next meeting at the World Cup will be another meeting, with advantages for both sides as the teams know each other well and will have met twice already”, acknowledged Didier Deschamps at a press conference. If successful on Danish soil, the French team would be full of welcome confidence. Especially against a semi-finalist team from the last Euro, and came to win in Paris last June (2-1).
Confirm the correct shape of the system
This last rehearsal before the World Cup must also validate the proper functioning of the game system, in the wake of the meeting against Austria. At the Stade de France on Thursday evening, the 3-5-2 set up by Didier Deschamps in recent months has convinced, carried by a solid defense, like its captain Raphaël Varane. In June, the first leg against Denmark had however marked the temporary end of this organization, at the request of the players, exhausted after an extended season. The Blues had played their last two games with a four-man defense, in a less energy-consuming system. But they are now gaining strength physically, and seem to better support the demands of 3-5-2. A successful performance against Denmark could sweep away the last tactical doubts.
The Blues carried out a final training session in France yesterday. Next training this afternoon in Denmark! #ProudToBeBlues pic.twitter.com/QFaYW2eXcy
— French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 24, 2022
One last chance to show off
Who says last test says last opportunity to shine. A month and a half before the announcement of the list for the World Cup, some players have every interest in making a success of their outing against Denmark to stay in the minds of the coach and the staff. Remaining on the bench against Austria, Mattéo Guendouzi, Eduardo Camavinga or Dayot Upamecano will undoubtedly be keen to show themselves. The newbies Benoît Badiashile and Youssouf Fofana will also want to confirm their good debut against Austria, and why not create a surprise. Despite his status as the second top scorer in the history of the France team, Olivier Giroud also knows that he must prove that he is essential in the group that will fly to Qatar.