Not in sync, France out to prove mettle
have yet to shine at the World Cup, but they have good reason to show they have something special when they take on Denmark in their Group C finale on Tuesday.
Les Bleus have qualified for the knockout stage with victories against Australia and Peru, but they are keen to avoid Croatia in the last 16 after the way the Balkan side impressed in their opening games.
France need a draw to also top their group for a potentially more favourable meeting with likely second-place finishers in Group D, Argentina or Nigeria.
Another reason for them to show off their best is the remark made by Denmark coach Age Hareide, who last month dismissed Didier Deschamps’ side as nothing special.”
“We talked about this between ourselves and we will want to show him that he was wrong,” said midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
Hareide also criticised Paul Pogba’s love for haircuts, a remark the French midfielder laughed off. “I should have dyed my hair red. But seriously, we’ll do the talking on the pitch,” Pogba said on Sunday.
Denmark will advance with a draw but a defeat, paired with an Australia win against Peru, could send them packing. France seem
to fear Croatia much more than Denmark, an opponent they have beaten six times in their last seven meetings.
“In that Group (D), Croatia seem to be the most dangerous opponent so let’s try to finish first to avoid them,” said Tolisso.
It is yet unclear whether Deschamps will be keen to rest some key players before the knockout stage. The form of striker Antoine Griezmann, remains a potential headache for the team.
AUSTRALIA LOOK TO GO PAST PERU
With their hopes of reaching the World Cup’s knockout rounds on a knife-edge, Australia head into their must-win match against Peru under pressure to score goals and with fingers crossed that France will bring their A-game against Denmark.
Long hampered by a lack of firepower, the Socceroos’ two goals in Russia have both come from Mile Jedinak penalties but relying again on the cool head of their captain from the spot may be perilous for their hopes of advancing.
“If we score goals and we win the game, it doesn’t matter how we score. It’s important that we get the result which is the main thing,” striker Tomi Juric told reporters at the team’s training base in Kazan on Sunday.
“Obviously, it is something that we may need to work on a little bit more and have a little bit more confidence in the final third, to finish things off.”
With Peru already eliminated from Group C and leaders France having already booked their place in the last 16, Bert van Marwijk-coached Australia are battling Denmark to be the second team through.
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