Germany beat France (2-1) in September in Dortmund.
The France team welcomes Germany this Saturday (9 p.m.) in a friendly in Lyon. A rehearsal far from trivial against a big name from the Old Continent before the Euro scheduled in a little less than three months across the Rhine.
The French team is returning, four months after its last outings. In November, the Blues had a special stage with the biggest victory in their history against Gibraltar (14-0) and a frustrating draw in Greece (2-2) which did not allow them to make a big splash in the Euro qualifiers. A little less than three months before the event, the vice-world champion will be able to offer himself a choice rehearsal against Germany, this Saturday (9 p.m.), host country of the tournament.
More than a friendly
A tenth confrontation between the two countries since the arrival of Didier Deschamps in 2012, with a record of 4 victories for France, 2 draws and 3 defeats, which should provide some lessons for the French coach. “All the meetings are important, we have just come out of a four-month break. You will analyze those who earned points. We will use it to get additional answers. There are always lessons. Individual situations may change between now and the end of the season. This is not an essential meeting but it is an important meeting“, judged the French manager in front of journalists.
A speech similar to that given by Julian Nagelsmann, looking for a prestigious success to relieve the burden. “France is one of the most complicated opponents to face in Europe. They have very great players, with enormous qualities. He’s the dream opponent. I’m not always a big fan of friendly matches. Winning 23-0 against small teams doesn’t do much good. But here, it’s a big team and it’s important to get into habits, to find pleasure again. We will try to play our game, to impose our tempo» , slipped the coach of the Nationalmannschaft to the press.
Deschamps without Griezmann, Musiala-Wirtz for Nagelsmann
For this poster, Deschamps will not be able to count on his handyman, Antoine Griezmann. Packaged for this gathering, the Atletico Madrid striker took part in the last 84 matches of the French team, an absolute record. In his absence, Warren Zaire-Emery, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot should form the three-way midfielder in front of a defense composed of Jules Koundé, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez, then behind an attacking trio with Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappé. In goal, Brice Samba could take over from Mike Maignan.
Opposite, Nagelsmann cannot rely on his number one goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, injured and replaced by Marc-André ter Stegen. In defense, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah could be accompanied by the neophyte Maximilian Mittelstädt. Absent for almost three years after retiring internationally following the last Euro, Toni Kroos is expected in the midfield alongside Robert Andrich. On the offensive level, Kai Havertz should be supplied with the ball by three sacred footballers with captain Ilkay Gündogan but especially the shock duo formed by Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
The probable compositions
France : Samba – Koundé, Pavard, Upamecano, L. Hernandez – Zaire-Emery, Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Thuram, Mbappé (c).
Germany : Ter Stegen – Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt – Andrich, Kroos – Musiala, Gündogan (c), Wirtz – Havertz.
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