Objective Qatar for the Blues! In case of victory this Saturday, the France team will be directly qualified for the 2022 World Cup which will take place from November 21 to December 18 next year. At the Parc des Princes (8:45 p.m.), Didier Decshamps’ players will find Kazakhstan they beat in the first leg (2-0) last March. The Blues could therefore ensure qualification even before the trip to Finland next Tuesday.
For once, the French have had time to prepare for this meeting. Subject to a very dense schedule, caused by the many rescheduling of matches due to Covid-19, the Blues did not have much time to train during previous international meetings. This time, they had five days at Clairefontaine to reform the group. A more flexible schedule that suits Didier Deschamps, who has often regretted having to place the courses under the sign of recovery and care, to the detriment of tactical work.
The League of Nations in your pocket
After the disillusionment of the Euro and the elimination in the round of 16, the reigning World Champions were able to recover last October by winning the League of Nations. The France team went to seek this honorary trophy with their teeth thanks to two stunning victories against two major selections: Belgium (3-2) and Spain (2-1). Satisfied with the latest results of these players, the coach did not upset his group when it came time to put down his list for November. Only five initial changes out of the 23 elected compared to October.
Young candidates like Christopher Nkunku, a 23-year-old striker performing with Leipzig, will have to wait to discover the selection. The rejected fall, such Olivier Giroud, did not have an opening either. The rare changes in the workforce are due to returns of injury, or physical glitches. Presnel Kimpembe and Raphaël Varane, injured, are replaced by Clément Lenglet and Kurt Zouma, author of the winning goal on Sunday with West Ham against favorite Liverpool (3-2).
Pogba injured, Benzema uncertain
Paul Pogba, injured in the right thigh on Monday in training, was forced to forfeit. Replaced by Jordan Veretout, he will not have the opportunity to reform his duo of world champions with N’Golo Kanté, absent last month because of the Covid-19. In addition to “NG”, Deschamps recorded the return Monday of Kingsley Coman, also stayed at home in October after a slight intervention to the heart.
Alphonse Areola (West Ham) has also found Clairefontaine for the first time in two years, in place of Mike Maignan, the AC Milan goalkeeper being hit in the wrist. One year before the World Cup, scheduled from November 21 to December 18, 2022 in the heart of an overloaded 2022/23 season, the France team is trying to stabilize its framework, behind the indebted attacking trio formed by Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé. Note that Benzema, victim of muscle fatigue, is uncertain for the match this Saturday.
Theo Hernandez and Jules Koundé already appear as potential holders in defense, when Dayot Upamecano, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Moussa Diaby and Mattéo Guendouzi are watching for the slightest opportunity to show themselves. This one will perhaps come to Finland, because Deschamps has already warned that he will approach Kazakhstan with “vigilance“. We must”not believe yourself qualified before you are qualified, that’s always the lesson“, he developed earlier this week, calling for no”no fear, but just respect the opponent and have the same determination“than against any other team.