Substitute against the Netherlands (4-0), Olivier Giroud changes status, this Monday evening against Ireland, on the occasion of the second match of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The main question relating to the composition of the France team is now lifted. The best director in the history of the Blues (53), will indeed know his 83rd tenure in 122 selections.
Sunday, on the eve of the meeting, Didier Deschamps had remained rather vague on this subject. He had only announced the absence of set-up during the last training. By his atypical profile, his quality in the game of discounts with his back to goal, his complementarity with Kylian Mbappé and his ability to rule the airspace, Giroud, 36, offers, it is true, solid guarantees. For the record, he had signed one of the two tricolor goals, with Nabil Fekir, during the last confrontation against Ireland on May 28, 2018 in preparation for the Russian World Cup (2-0).
His presence at kick-off is in no way a disavowal for Randal Kolo Muani, credited with a solid performance against the Dutch, hailed by Didier Deschamps. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker will also start on the right flank of the attack to the detriment of Kingsley Coman who appeared in the background during the attacking festival at the Stade de France. Finally, Benjamin Pavard will start on the right side of the tricolor defense. The Bavarian replaces Jules Koundé in the starting lineup.
The composition : Maignan – Pavard, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Griezmann, Tchouameni, Rabiot – Kolo Muani, Giroud, Mbappé (cap.)