World champions France were a minute away from their first defeat since March against Iceland last time out, with Kylian Mbappé coming on to rescue a draw with a last-gasp penalty…
October 16, 2018
UEFA Nations League
Stade de France, Paris
France – Germany
Didier Deschamps’ side – which also featured Ligue 1 Conforama stars Florian Thauvin, Presnel Kimpembe and Dimitri Payet – were trailing 2-0 until the 86th minute, but the coach is refusing to panic, and could resist heavily rotating his side against Germany at the Stade de France.
‘Right attitude’
“It certainly wasn’t a boring match!” Deschamps said at his post-match press conference. “But even if it was a draw, we reacted. We started poorly against a well organised side who hit us hard on the counter. We were slightly unlucky in front of goal, though. I think we went into this match with the right attitude.”
Watch: Highlights of Mbappé’s four-goal haul for PSG against Lyon!
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Mbappé should nonetheless start from the off against the side France deposed as world champions. Thauvin has a foot complaint and has left the camp, so his spot behind Olivier Giroud is free. With ten goals in his 25 caps, the 19-year-old’s reintroduction is a welcome one.
Sidibé to start?
Deschamp’s hand is forced further back, though. Raphaël Varane picked up an adductor injury against Iceland, so Benjamin Pavard could move inside to partner PSG’s Kimpembe at centre-back, with AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibé slotting in out wide.
The UEFA Nations League will ultimately seed teams for Euro 2020 qualification, and while France – who also recently beat the Netherlands 2-1 – are favourites to qualify from Group 1, Germany are struggling, with their own 3-0 defeat to the Dutch making it three straight games they have failed to find the target – a first in Die Mannschaft‘s history.
PSG star Draxler is likely to start against some of his clubmates
Deschamps’ opposite number Joachim Löw has come under increasing pressure following his side’s group stage exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but he remains calm.
Germany’s PSG pair
“Yes, obviously there is massive criticism,” he said. “But I tune it out as coach; I can deal with it well. I’m really not entertaining any thoughts [of resigning] right now. Not even after a game like that. I’ve been in the business for so long now. And I’ve also survived a few things already. I can cope with it as a coach.”
The sides played to a 0-0 draw in Munich in September, but France remain favourites here. Löw has confirmed that Manuel Neuer will start in goal but he is expected to ring the changes otherwise, which could see PSG pair Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer given starts.
Possible teams
France: Lloris; Sidibé, Pavard, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Pogba, Kante; Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
Germany: Neuer; Kehrer, Tah, Hummels, Hector; Kimmich, Kroos; Draxler, Müller, Sane; Werner
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