Previewing France’s Lineup Against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League
As France gears up for their UEFA Nations League match against Belgium this Monday, we take a comprehensive look at how the team may potentially arrange itself on the pitch in Brussels.
Missing Key Players
The French national squad will once again be without their captain, Kylian Mbappe. Due to a hamstring injury sustained at the end of September, he was left out of this month’s lineup. Although there was speculation he might return prematurely and only missed one game instead of three, he chose to remain with Real Madrid for rehabilitation during this international break.
Adding to France’s challenges is the recent announcement from Antoine Griezmann regarding his retirement from international football after a long and storied career. Following his exclusion post France’s 3-1 loss to Italy last month, Griezmann decided against continuing merely as a squad member, despite being among Didier Deschamps’s preferred players.
The timing of this retirement took many by surprise since Griezmann not only started against Italy but also stood just eight appearances shy of surpassing Hugo Lloris’s record as Les Bleus’ all-time player.
Other Injuries Affecting Squad Selection
Karim Benzema
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Unleashing the Blue Brigade: France’s Predicted XI Against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League Showdown
France’s Squad Overview
The French national team, renowned for its rich footballing history and depth of talent, is gearing up for an exciting UEFA Nations League match against Belgium. Known as the ”Bleus,” France boasts a lineup filled with world-class players who have proven their mettle on international stages. As the anticipation builds, fans are eager to see how coach Didier Deschamps will set up his side to tackle the Belgium challenge.
Predicted Starting XI for France
Let’s delve into the anticipated starting lineup for France against Belgium, focusing on the deschamps-reveals-frances-euro-2024-squad/” title=”Deschamps reveals France’s Euro 2024 squad”>griezmann-aims-digs-at-teammates-and-didier-deschamps-after-france-exit-euro-2024-metro-co-uk/” title=”Antoine Griezmann aims digs at teammates and Didier Deschamps after France exit Euro 2024 – Metro.co.uk”>tactical decisions that might influence the game.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Hugo Lloris | Tottenham Hotspur |
| RB | Benjamin Pavard | Inter Milan |
| CB | Raphaël Varane | Manchester United |
| CB | Presnel Kimpembe | Paris Saint-Germain |
| LB | Lucas Hernandez | Atlético Madrid |
| CDM | N’Golo Kanté | Chelsea |
| CM | Adrien Rabiot | Juventus |
| CM | Paul Pogba | Al Nassr |
| RW | Kylian Mbappé | Paris Saint-Germain |
| LW | Antoine Griezmann | Atlético Madrid |
| ST | Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad |
Tactical Analysis: France vs Belgium
France is expected to adopt a balanced approach against Belgium, combining defensive solidity with swift transitional play. Here’s how the tactical setup may evolve:
- Defensive Organization: With Lloris in goal, the defense led by Varane and Kimpembe will aim to maintain a strong line, mitigating Belgium’s attacking threats.
- Midfield Control: The trio of Kanté, Rabiot, and Pogba will be crucial in controlling the midfield, breaking up play, and supporting forward movements.
- Attacking Flair: The wide play from Mbappé and Griezmann is likely to exploit Belgium’s flanks, allowing Benzema to benefit from crosses and through balls.
Key Players to Watch
While every player contributes, a few standouts can significantly impact the game:
Kylian Mbappé
The electric winger’s pace
In addition to these high-profile absences, midfielders Adrien Rabiot and N’Golo Kante will miss out due to injuries compounded by insufficient playing time in their respective clubs this season. The late withdrawal of Dayot Upamecano due to fitness issues further complicates matters for Deschamps; however, William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate are set to fill the central defender roles seamlessly alongside Theo Hernandez on the left flank while Ferland Mendy continues his recovery off the field.
Tactical Adjustments Following Recent Performance
Given France’s standout display against Israel last Thursday—where they showcased skillful play—Deschamps is likely inclined to stick with most players from that winning team. Nevertheless, both Bradley Barcola and Matteo Guendouzi impressed off the bench in that match and have pushed themselves into contention for starting positions.
Despite Barcola having showcased impressive form (despite unfortunate losses), it remains possible that he will replace Christopher Nkunku who has struggled for playing time at Chelsea this season. Guendouzi may be introduced if Deschamps opts for a more conservative approach than previously adopted against Israel when transitioning from a 4-2-3-1 setup toward employing a more balanced 4-3-3 formation.
Projected Starting XI for France
Potentially starting lineup could look like:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani & Barcola
For insights on Belgium’s prospective lineup in preparation for this exciting encounter click here!