Predicted France Lineup To Face Colombia In International Friendly
France will face off against South American giants Colombia in an international friendly this Friday night at the Stade de France.
With just four more games left before Les Bleus take off for the FIFA World Cup in Russia in the summer, the upcoming set of friendlies provide a great opportunity for manager Didier Deschamps to test his options out ahead of the mega event. It also gives the fringe members of the squad a chance to stake a claim for a spot in the plane to Russia.
Team News
Striker Wissam Ben Yedder was handed his first call-up by the manager and he could be set to make his international debut this Friday. Elsewhere, Kingsley Coman misses out after having picked up an ankle injury last month. The team looks an extremely formidable unit with the likes of Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.
Here’s how Deschamps could set his team out against the Colombians on Friday.
Probable France XI
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Formation: 4-3-3
Hugo Lloris (GK)
The Tottenham Hotspur man is Deschamps’ preferred choice between the sticks ahead of Steve Mandanda and Alphonse Areola. Should start on Friday night.
Djibril Sidibe (RB)
The Monaco right-back has been an ever-present for Les Bleus in recent games and should once again be taking the field from the kick-off.
Raphael Varane (CB)
One of the most talented young defenders in the game, Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane might get the nod ahead of the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Presnel Kimpembe.
Samuel Umtiti (CB)
The Barcelona man is having an outstanding season at the club level and based on his performances, deserves a starting spot in the heart of the defence.
Layvin Kurzawa (LB)
At left-back, Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa should be handed the starting berth ahead of Barcelona’s Lucas Digne who hasn’t been playing all that regularly for his club.
Corentin Tolisso (CM)
The 23-year-old Bayern Munich man has been building a reputation for himself with some stellar displays in the middle of the park. Has featured in all of France’s previous four games and should start again on Friday.
N’Golo Kante (CM)
The beating heart of this France side, N’Golo Kante’s endless supply of energy and relentless pressing is key to how the team sets up. A definite starter.
Adrien Rabiot (CM)
The young PSG midfielder should get the nod for the third central midfield slot, ahead of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, who has hardly played in recent weeks.
Florian Thauvin (RW)
The 25-year-old is having a prolific season, having plundered 18 goals and 16 assists in 43 appearances for Marseille. Should get his 3rd international cap on Friday night.
Kylian Mbappe (ST)
The PSG man has accumulated 17 goals already this term, along with 14 assists in 37 games in all competitions. He should spearhead the attack for Deschamps’ side.
Antoine Griezman (LW)
Completing the attacking trident for Les Bleus should be Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann who has managed 23 strikes and 13 assists at the club level. The ability of all the three forwards to operate in any of the attacking positions will offer a lot of fluidity to the frontline.