The last set up behind closed doors, Thursday evening, had hardly left room for suspense. Randal Kolo Muani is much preferred to Oliver Giroud to start the match against the Netherlands, Friday evening (8:45 p.m.) at the Stade de France, in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The 24-year-old striker is thus celebrating his second tenure among the Blues, after that of the World Cup in Qatar against Tunisia during the 3rd pool match (0-1).
Author of a full season with Frankfurt (11 goals in 10 assists in the Bundesliga), the native of Bondy will therefore be able to renew the thread of his young history with the France team, he who had failed to leave an indelible mark on the World Cup final after having the goal of the coronation at the end of the foot in a duel, finally lost, against Dibu Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper.
For the rest, Didier Deschamps opts for a team without surprises. Kylian Mbappé shows off his captain’s armband under the eyes of Hugo Lloris, his honored predecessor before kick-off along with Steve Mandanda, Raphaël Varane and Blaise Matuidi. The 2018 world champions recently announced their international retirement for the first three and the end of his career for the former Parisian midfielder.
Mike Maignan succeeds Hugo Lloris in goal. The defense will be close to that aligned in the World Cup final with Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano at the center. The sides are held by Jules Koundé and Theo Hernandez. In the middle, we find the triplet Griezmann – Tchouaméni – Rabiot. Finally, in attack, Kingsley Coman inherits the position occupied by Ousmane Dembélé, currently injured, on the right while Kylian Mbappé obviously retains his left side.
The composition of the Blues. 16. Maignan – 5. Koundé, 13. Konaté, 4. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez – 7. Griezmann, 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot – 20. Coman, 12. Kolo Muani, 10. Mbappé (cap.) . Coach: Didier Deschamps.