World Champions France return to competitive action on Thursday night as they take on Germany in their debut outing in the UEFA Nations League, which is in its inaugural season.
Thursday, 6 September 2018
UEFA Nations League, Matchday 1
Allianz Arena, Munich
Germany – France 
– Kick-off at 20:45 CET
With the five previous World Cup winners – France, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Germany – having tasted defeat in their first competitive post-World Cup match, there is no shortage of pressure on Didier Deschamps’ Bleus to perform as they take on a Germany side looking to bounce back after a disappointing showing in Russia in the summer.
Just one change
Deschamps has been forced by injury to make one change to his side – Paris Saint-Germain’s Alphonse Areola will earn his first senior cap as he fills in for the injured Hugo Lloris – but otherwise it seems ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is the order of the day.
France’s World Cup winning 4-2-3-1 formation should remain intact, with Olivier Giroud leading the line in front of a complementary attacking midfield three of Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Blaise Matuidi, while N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba will respectively screen the defence and get things moving from deep positions.
Varane: ‘We’re ready’
In the absence of Lloris, Raphaël Varane will wear the captain’s armband as he flanks Samuel Umtiti, with Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez out wide, and Real Madrid stopper believes that France can keep it rolling as they take their first steps in UEFA’s brand-new Nations League, which replaces international friendlies and provides a supplementary route to Euro 2020.
“Of course we have a special status now, but I don’t think the shirt will weigh much heavier on our shoulders with that extra star on it,” said Varane, who proved unconcerned about form given the short pre-season many of the team had following their exertions in Russia. “We have our bearings with each other; we know each other well. Physically, things might be tough for some, but it will be the same for Germany. We’re used to playing together. We’re ready.”
Key role for Draxler
Meanwhile Germany boss Joachim Löw has opted to bring in some fresh faces following the then-reigning champions’ disappointing showing in Russia. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler, who captained Germany to Confederations Cup gold in 2017, is tipped to start in the playmaker’s role, flanked by Thomas Müller and Marco Reus and behind Timo Werner.
Bayern Munich will be heavily represented in defence, with Manuel Neuer in goals and central defensive pair Jérôme Boateng and Mats Hummels flanked by clubmate Joshua Kimmich and Hoffenheim’s Nico Schulz. Bayern’s Leon Goretzka will likely partner Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos in defensive midfield.
Probable teams
Germany: Neuer (c); Kimmich, J. Boateng, Hummels, Schulz; Goretzka, Kroos; T. Müller, Draxler, Reus; Werner
France: Areola; Pavard, Varane (c), Umtiti, L. Hernandez; N. Kanté, P. Pogba; Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
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