France will hope to make it five wins in a row when they take on the Republic of Ireland in Thursday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.
Didier Deschamps’ outfit beat Ireland 1-0 when these two sides met back in March and there’s a confidence among supporters that another three points will be staying at Parc des Princes.
Here’s how the boss could set up.
GK: Mike Maignan – Having used his international break to flirt with a potential return to Paris Saint-Germain, Maignan will be particularly popular among the home crowd.
RB: Jules Kounde – With no natural right-back in the squad, it seems as though Deschamps is looking to use either Kounde or Benjamin Pavard here.
CB: William Saliba – He may only have eight caps to his name, but Saliba is already one of France’s most important players.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – Upamecano’s Bayern Munich won three games on the bounce heading into the break so the centre-back should be in high spirits for this one.
LB: Theo Hernandez – Brother Lucas is back in the squad for the first time since his ACL injury at the World Cup but Theo is one of the world’s premier left-backs. This is his spot.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Thriving at Real Madrid in their new system, Tchouameni looks set to be a crucial cog in France’s machine.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – Madrid and France look to have found a midfield partnership that could go down in history as one of the best we’ve ever seen.
RM: Kingsley Coman – Coman has been the preferred starter in recent months but Ousmane Dembele is definitely a serious threat to his position.
AM: Antoine Griezmann – Griezmann appears to have figured out a way to carry his France form over to club level, where he has been flying with Atletico Madrid.
LM: Kylian Mbappe – A break from club football could be exactly what Mbappe needs after a hectic summer of uncertainty.
ST: Randal Kolo Muani – With an expensive move to PSG, Kolo Muani has solidified himself as one of the faces of French football right now. Expect him to be the usual starter from this point forwards.
