There will inevitably be a feeling of emptiness, like a form of anomaly to which we will now have to get used to. For ten years, the announcement of a list of the French team by Didier Deschamps was inseparable from Antoine Griezmann, iconic figure of his selection and faithful among the faithful. But three days after the surprise caused by the end of the international career of the Atlético de Madrid player, a new page in the history of the Blues will be written.
For the first time since the fall of 2013, the coach will not mention the name “Grizou” this Thursday afternoon (2 p.m.) when communicating the identity of the group of 23 elements he is calling for the two League of Nations matches against Israel (October 10 in Budapest) and Belgium (14 in Brussels) and that will obviously be funny.
If this press conference should once again give the coach the opportunity to pay tribute to Griezmann, the reality on the ground, with a French team with two faces against Italy (3-1) and Belgium (2-0) last month, will also not allow us to fall into nostalgia for too long. The September gathering had launched Deschamps’ “oxygenation” operation and it is on this basis that he intends to continue by deciding to call on a group very close to the previous one.
Rabiot rather expected in November
Launched into the deep end at the start of the school year, Manu Koné and Michael Olise are expected again. The AS Roma midfielder had delivered a match full of personality against the Red Devils, the second had experienced a little more difficulty in a team which had drowned against Italy. But his excellent start to the season with Bayern Munich (5 goals in the Bundesliga) obviously makes Didier Deschamps want to see him again in a team looking for new offensive dangers, players capable of bringing a little madness on the front line. ‘attack.
The pre-calls received by Maghnes Akliouche, Olympic vice-champion with France and very prominent with Monaco (Deschamps supervised him against Barcelona), and Florian Thauvin, back in the forefront with Udinese, also testify to the willingness of the coach to study different possibilities. But for both, we will still have to wait before seeing them fill the offensive sector of the Blues led by Kylian Mbappé.
Substitute at the kick-off before coming into play in the 57th minute, this Wednesday evening, against Lille in the Champions League, the captain, previously announced to be absent after his thigh injury suffered with Real Madrid, will be well there, just like Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram. On the other hand, Kingsley Coman should still be missing, despite his return to competition with Bayern Munich after a summer marked by attempts to leave.
In midfield, Adrien Rabiot should also not be included in the list, but for purely athletic reasons. He is now selectable again after having signed for Marseille but the Blues staff prefer to leave him at the disposal of his new club to perfect his physical condition during the international break even though he only played 28 minutes in the space of three months on Sunday September 29 in Strasbourg.
Wesley Fofana is available
Will it be the same for Camavinga, who is returning from a left knee sprain suffered in August? The Real Madrid player appeared in the squad last weekend against Atlético de Madrid, while remaining on the bench, but started against the Mastiffs. His lack of rhythm could, again, encourage the staff to give him time to get up to speed. Wednesday evening, it was not yet decided. Aurélien Tchouaméni, N’Golo Kanté, Warren Zaire-Emery and Youssouf Fofana are expected. Mattéo Guendouzi, thanks to his good match against Belgium, has, especially if Camavinga remains in Madrid, certain arguments just like Christopher Nkunku, absent in Blue since June 19, 2023, in a more offensive register.
This is not necessarily the case, in defense, of Benjamin Pavard, already absent at the start of the school year after having spent the Euro without playing. Deschamps preferred Wesley Fofana, who ultimately had to withdraw. The Chelsea defender has recovered and should have the opportunity to show himself to the coach during this international window. Ferland Mendy must also make his return after missing the previous meeting due to injury and giving way to Lucas Digne.
We will then find the same usual men in the defensive sector: the full-backs Théo Hernandez, Jules Koundé, Jonathan Clauss, in competition with Malo Gusto, and the central players Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba. The same continuity must take place at the goalkeeper position with the usual trio composed of Mike Maignan, Brice Samba and Alphonse Areola.
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