Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are BENCHED for France’s final Group D match with Tunisia… while Axel Disasi is a surprise inclusion at right back by Didier Deschamps
Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have been benched by Didier Deschamps for France’s final Group D clash against Tunisia this afternoon.
Les Bleus have made a perfect start to their World Cup defence, beating Australia and Denmark to secure an early progression to the last 16.
France need only a point to guarantee top-spot in Group D, giving them a potentially easier fixture in the knockouts, though it could conceivably be Argentina they face in doing so.
France boss Didier Deschamps has opted to bench Kylian Mbappe for their final Group D game
Antoine Griezmann (centre) has also been named among the substitutes for today’s clash
With maximum points from their two prior outings, Deschamps has been afforded the luxury of rotating his side for their final group game, which will come as a major boost given the extensive injury list the 54-year-old is having to negotiate.
Karim Benzema, Christopher Nkunku, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez are all unavailable for the reigning champions.
With a mounting injury list, Deschamps tried playing Eduardo Camavinga at left back in a training game to test his suitability as possible cover for the injured Hernandez – and the 20-year-old starts in defence today.
Monaco’s Axel Disasi, typically a centre back, has also been named at right back.
There was talk beforehand of a potential start for Steve Mandanda, with captain Hugo Lloris resting ahead of the knockout stages, and indeed it’s the 37-year-old veteran who starts between the sticks today.
Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guandouzi, now playing for French outfit Marseille, has also been handed a starting role in midfield.
Confirmed France XI: Mandanda; Disasi, Varane, Konate, Camavinga; Coman, Tchouameni, Veretout, Guendouzi; Kolo Muani.
Confirmed Tunisia XI: Dahmen; Meriah, Ghandri, Talbi; Kechrida, Skhiri, Laidouni, Maaloul; Slimane, Khazri, Romdhane.
Didier Deschamps has been able to rotate his squad with France safely through to the last 16
Eduardo Camavinga has been training at left-back and starts in defence for France today
Veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has also been handing a starting role with captain Hugo Lloris on the bench
France’s World Cup squad was hit by injuries before the World Cup – including Karim Benzema
France are looking to become the third team to confirm a spot in the last 16 as group winners, with Holland and England becoming the first sides to do so on Tuesday.
The outcome of this afternoon’s clash will have significant ramifications for the evening fixtures, where Argentina and Poland go head-to-head, most likely knowing finishing runner-up in the group will set up an unwanted clash against France in the next round.
France, in topping the group, would play against the Group C runners-up on Sunday, December 4 at the Al Thumama Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm.
Should the unthinkable happen and France finish as runners-up, they will play on Saturday, December 3 at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with kick-off at 7pm.