France shake off setbacks

NOTHING is going to disrupt France in their opening World Cup game against Australia – not Karim Benzema’s absence, and especially not the ‘One Love’ armband row in Qatar, captain Hugo Lloris said yesterday.

The defending champions start their campaign in Group D tonight, looking to beat the Socceroos just like they did to kick off their 2018 journey in Russia.

They have been hit by a series of injuries, which ruled out key midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, and most recently Ballon d’Or winner Benzema, who left the squad in the early hours of Sunday after withdrawing with a thigh injury, and centre-back Presnel Kimpembe.

“We still believe in our chances, in our squad. The last-minute withdrawals, especially Karim’s, did not help,” Lloris said.

“But I want to think that the team will move on.”

Several teams – England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark – had planned to wear the One Love armbands which promote inclusivity, but in a joint statement, backed down hours before England’s opening game against Iran yesterday.

According to Fifa rules, team equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, and during Fifa final competitions, the captain of each team “must wear the captain’s armband provided by Fifa”.

France had not planned any action, staying clear from controversy.

“I want to say that Fifa organises the competition and it sets a frame, rules. Us players are here to play football and represent our country on a sporting level,” Lloris said.

“On that level, the first game is always extremely important and as defending champions, the expectations are even higher for us.”

The defending champions have exited the World Cup at the end of the group phase in four of the last five editions.

Coach Didier Deschamps needs to reshuffle his attacking line in the absence of Benzema, with veteran Olivier Giroud likely to start as a lone forward.

The 36-year-old has long been underestimated as he does not have the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe or Benzema, but he has proved reliable and is only two shy of Thierry Henry’s all-time goal scoring record of 51 with Les Bleus.

“Lately he’s been adored. France is delighted, I’m delighted and so is Olivier,” Deschamps said of the AC Milan forward with a grinding smile.

At the back, Deschamps will rely on centre-back Raphael Varane, who he says has shaken off a hamstring injury that had prevented him from training with the team last week.

“He is doing well and available for tomorrow's game,” Deschamps said.