“Strong and exemplary” had been the phrases discovered by Didier Deschamps to explain his France group at Euro 2024.
Given the expertise the previous midfield water service has at his disposal, the supervisor’s correct evaluation is fairly underwhelming. They’ve misfired in assault and sometimes boasted England-like ranges of incoherence in possession, however Les Bleus are nonetheless one of many remaining 4.
They’ve defended fantastically and have overcome two of FIFA’s high ten ranked nations to advance into the semi-finals. Nonetheless, their greatest efficiency of Euro 2024 might be required to topple Spain on Tuesday given how nicely Luis de la Fuente’s group has carried out in Germany this summer season.
This is how France may line up for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final in Munich.
GK: Mike Maignan – ‘Magic Mike’ continued his glorious match within the quarter-finals, though it was the submit that got here to his help within the shootout. Maignan nonetheless stored his fourth clear sheet this summer season which helped take the sport to penalties.
RB: Jules Kounde – Participant of the Match within the spherical of 16, Kounde has been one of many unsung stars of Euro 2024. The transformed centre-back is but to place a foot unsuitable on the match, however an enormous take a look at of his one-on-one capability beckons on Tuesday with Nico Williams being stationed down Spain’s left.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – There’s been loads of discourse surrounding the brilliance of his associate this summer season, however Upamecano, exterior of his penalty giveaway towards Poland, has been excellent, too.
CB: William Saliba – The Arsenal centre-back has been sensible this summer season and solely appears to be rising with confidence in a beforehand unfamiliar left-sided function. Cristiano Ronaldo was the most recent to be shunned by France’s Rolls Royce.
LB: Theo Hernandez – There’s been much less scope for Hernandez to maraud ahead from left-back, however the Milan star has defended nicely this summer season. He additionally delivered the profitable spot-kick within the quarter-finals.
CM: N’Golo Kante – The 33-year-old’s resurgence has been essential to France’s defensive success. His passing may be wayward, however he nonetheless shines with out the ball. Kante has an enormous function to play in shunning Spain’s half-space entry.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – When he is not enjoying the piano or podcasting with Steven Bartlett, Tchouameni is shining for his nation on the base of midfield. One other astute midfield screener, the Actual Madrid star might be put to the take a look at in Munich.
CM: Adrien Rabiot – Antoine Griezmann excelled in a deeper midfield function on the 2022 World Cup, however Deschamps has discovered it tougher to carve out a definitive function for him this summer season. There could possibly be a change with Rabiot, suspended for the quarter-finals, coming again into France’s purposeful midfield.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – Deschamps is not one for risk-taking, however he may gamble on Dembele towards Spain. The PSG winger has blown principally chilly in Germany, however he does have a game-breaking efficiency in him.
ST: Marcus Thuram – Thuram has additionally underwhelmed at Euro 2024, however Randal Kolo Muani failed to assist France’s flagging assault on Friday evening. Thus, Deschamps may pivot again to Thuram for Tuesday’s semi-final.
LW: Kylian Mbappe – Mbappe’s time has bought to reach in some unspecified time in the future this summer season. Maybe hindered by his masks, Actual Madrid’s latest Galactico is but to attain from open play on the match – scoring simply as soon as from the penalty spot. He’ll be buoyed by Dani Carvajal’s absence.
