Able to count on his full group, Didier Deschamps made a set-up in Doha on Monday evening, the day before the first match for the Blues in the World Cup in Qatar. Before facing Australia, this Tuesday (8 p.m., TF 1), at the Al Janoub stadium, the coach again made his team rehearse his ranges.
As was already the case for 48 hours, Raphaël Varane took part in the collective session. The defender, who has not played since an injury against Chelsea (0-0) on October 22 is recovering from a hamstring injury. In a press conference this Monday noon, at the media center, Didier Deschamps assured that the Mancunian would be ready to return to competition this Tuesday. “Raphaël is fine, he is fit and available for the match ahead of us,” said the coach. But it is in the team of supposed substitutes that the Mancunian was aligned during the last training.
Failing to be ready or sufficiently in rhythm, it is from the bench that the vice-captain could follow the entry into the matter of the Blues in front of the Aussies. To replace him in the right axis, Ibrahima Konaté holds the rope. The Liverpool central was still associated with Dayot Upamecano at the end of the day. The two men know each other perfectly well having played together for four seasons in Leipzig (2017 – 2021). They should not lack benchmarks in the axis of the defense despite their lack of international experience (7 selections for Upamecano (1 goal), 2 selections for Konaté).
In the midfield, we found Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni with Antoine Griezmann, in the same team, who should play the relay between the middle and the attack. Didier Deschamps can count on the reliability of the Atlético Madrid player who will play a 68th game in a row with the Blues, a record. Finally, in front, the big winner should be named Ousmane Dembélé. In great shape with Barcelona, the former Rennais is expected to attack the match against the Australians on the right wing, preferred to Kingsley Coman. He did not wear a chasuble during the last opposition, like Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. The three men should logically compose the attack of the Blues against the Socceroos.
The probable composition of the Blues
Lloris (cap.) – Pavard, Konaté, Upamecano, L. Hernandez – Rabiot, Tchouaméni – Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé – Giroud