Argentina wary of French firepower
France 2 v 1 Australia France 1 v 0 Peru Denmark 0 v 0 France Argentina 1 v 1 Iceland Argentina 0 v 3 Croatia Nigeria 1 v 2 Argentina
BIG TEST After belowpar group stage showings the teams will be eager to put their best foot forward
FRANCE
They remained unbeaten but, save Germany, there is no team to have disappointed more. Tactical upheaval and painfully ponderous performances suggest Didier Deschamps is still working out how to make the most of his talented squad. Is Nabil Fekir the answer? Out wide or up front? France have more questions than answers. While France’s main-man Antoine Griezmann was directly involved in 44% of their goals in qualifying stage (eight of 18 goals); the Atletico Madrid forward has failed to make a significant impact in Russia so far.
Griezmann will have to live up to his reputation, especially when he is supported by the pace and dribbling skills of Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele on the wings. In N'Golo Kante, France possess the world’s best defensive midfielder at the moment. He will be tasked with keeping Messi out of the game and is unmatched in his ability to break up plays given his stamina.
Paul Pogba will be the creative force and should ensure that France control possession.
172
passes completed
31.36
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France have a solid central partnership with Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane with Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez — both 22 — on the wings.
Their inexperience though, could lead to them conceding penalties easily. Hugo Lloris has been rather composed figure in France’s goal but has not been tested much. He has made two saves so far but will have to be far more alert against Messi.
against Denmark meant France coach Didier Deschamps allowed Paul Pogba & Co reach Kazan fresher than Argentina.
Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Samuel Umtiti and Kylian Mbappe are all expected to return. The only major concern ARGENTINA
Four minutes away from going out and seemingly saddled with a coach without authority, Argentina's progress could hardly have been bumpier. They ran out of ideas against Iceland, were outplayed by Croatia and survived only thanks to a last-gasp win over Nigeria. They are through though, and they still have Lionel Messi. Messi opened his account with a glorious goal against Nigeria, but with teams shutting down passes to the talisman, Messi will have to find a way to get on the ball even more.
With Argentina barely creating chances, Higuain will have to be clinical in front of goal. Ever Banega will be the key for the South Americans against France. With very limited supply to Messi and the frontline, Argentina will be reliant on Banega’s aerial balls, just as he put Messi through on goal against Nigeria. The two made 27 passes to each other in the match against Nigeria. Nicolas Otamendi is Argentina’s best defender on paper with Marcos Rojo, a second string player for Manchester United, a 31-year old Gabriel Mercado and Nicolas Tagliafico, who plays in the Dutch league. Argentina’s defence is a weakest link and with the French boasting one of the fastest frontlines, it could be their undoing. Willy Caballero was replaced by Franco Armani after shaky displays against Iceland and Croatia. Armani showed better composure against Nigeria and will have to be at his best versus France.
for Deschamps could be the toss-up between Olivier Giroud and Corentin Tolisso. The latter had started in a three-man midfield against Australia but Giroud has two starts to his name.
Given Argentina’s midfield struggles, the French coach could
be tempted to start Tolisso alongside N’Golo Kante and Pogba. That could force Antoine Griezmann to start as lone striker instead of playing behind Giroud.
Backed by one of the strongest benches in this tournament, Deschamps will not shy away from
MINUTES
Messi has played in knockout stages at World Cup but has no goals ringing in changes if things don’t go France’s way in the first half. Yet to concede to South American opponents since beating Brazil on penalties in the 1986 World Cup, France will be quietly confident of a win. But then, stranger things have happened. Played Venue: Kazan Arena Capacity: 45,379 Armani