It was the main curiosity of the last training: who of Benjamin Pavard or Jules Koundé would occupy the position of right side? And, it seems that Didier Deschamps has the idea to change his starting lineup. Unlike the match against Australia (4-1), it was the Barcelonan who held the corridor in the supposed team of holders, this Friday, for the final session before facing Denmark, Saturday, November 26, at 17 hours.
Jules Koundé has already played in this position in Blue as well as with Barcelona. He would take advantage of the disappointing performance of his Bavarian counterpart to start his first match in this World Cup. Another change, the presence in the starting lineup of Raphaël Varane. The Manchester United central defender is recovered from his hamstring injury which occurred against Chelsea (0-0) on October 22. He was partnered with Dayot Upamecano, who proved convincing as a left axial on Tuesday. Ibrahima Konaté would pay for the return as the holder of the vice-captain of the Blues.
In a press conference earlier in the day, goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris was rave about Varane, who remained on the bench against the Aussies : “Within the group he brings his serenity, his calm, his experience, he is a quiet strength. He also brings his voice into the locker room, he is a leader. He has been with the France team for years. He plays an important role in the team. We will need all our strength and, above all, we can feel it, ”guaranteed the tricolor doorman. Varane has not played for a month, but he has been able to pick up the pace in recent days in training. The staff considers him ready to finally launch his competition.
For the rest, the France team should present itself with a team without surprises. Théo Hernandez will start in the left lane of the four-man defense, with Kylian Mbappé in front of him. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann will be renewed. The Atlético de Madrid player will still have the mission of taking over with the attack completed by Olivier Giroud, up front, and Ousmane Dembélé on the right wing, rather than Kingsley Coman.
The probable composition of the Blues
Lloris (cap.) – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé – Giroud.
