By James Cormack
France have hardly broken a sweat in Euro 2024 qualifying so far and have a chance to secure top place in Group B with two reserve qualifying matches on Friday evening.
Although they were beaten by Germany in a friendly last month, France were borderline unstoppable after suffering World Cup heartbreak in Qatar. They are just one of three teams to have maintained a 100% start in qualifying alongside Portugal and Scotland.
Didier Deschamps’ men now have the chance to secure a place in Germany next summer with a win against the Netherlands. France beat their next opponents 4-0 in Paris in March, and Ronald Koeman will be dealing with injuries this month.
Despite the multiple absences of the central defender, Deschamps has his strongest team at his disposal, and here is how France could line up in Amsterdam on Friday evening.
Netherlands vs France – Euro 2024 Qualifiers: TV channel, team news, lineups and predictions
Probable France-Holland lineup (4-2-3-1)
Olivier Giroud will step down as goalkeeper and start for France in Amsterdam | Lionel Hahn/GettyImagesPOR: Mike Maignan – The AC Milan star will remain Deshamps’ number one despite his Harald Schumacher-esque heroics in Genoa on Saturday.
RB: Benjamin Pavard – Once a leading figure in the national team, Pavard’s importance has waned of late but he should earn a starting place on Friday given France’s defensive absences.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – THE Liverpool The defender had been recalled before several central defenders withdrew from the team. This would suggest that he is currently Deschamps’ first choice for the right-wing role, given the options the manager now has at his disposal.
CB: Lucas Hernandez – The versatile Hernandez can play anywhere on the left side of defense. On this occasion he will be asked to play a role that he doesn’t play so often anymore.
LB: Theo Hernandez – With his brother in the central position, Theo should have free rein to raid along the left flank. His tussle with Denzel Dumfries will be one to keep an eye on.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – The young midfielder started the season well and outclassed his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga. real Madrid.
CM: Adrien Rabiot – While many would love to see Camavinga join Tchouameni in the pivot, the hard-working Rabiot is all but certain of his place in the team.
RM: Ousmane Dembélé – Deschamps could opt for both one-on-one machines he has at his disposal, and it’s really a coin toss between Kingsley Coman and Dembele.
AM: Antoine Griezmann – Beating heart of this France, Griezmann is back to his best and often creates his best works for the national team.
LM: Kylian Mbappé – Only Michel Platini (0.57) and Just Fontaine (1.43) have a better goals per game ratio than Mbappe (0.56) among the ten best French scorers of all time. THE PSG The superstar goes in search of Olivier Giroud’s goalscoring record.
ST: Olivier Giroud – By the way, Giroud will temporarily suspend his goalkeeping duties and return to the top for France in Amsterdam.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as France-Holland lineup prediction – Euro 2024 qualifiers.
