DECRYPTION – Everything you need to know before the Blues’ first match at Euro 2024, this Monday, against Austria.
The Blues attack Europe. Five days after their arrival in Germany last Wednesday, Didier Deschamps’ players, who are impatient, begin their Euro 2024 journey against Austria this Monday in Düsseldorf. The match kicks off at 9 p.m. The match will be broadcast by TF1 and on beIN SPORT. It will obviously be followed live with commentary on our site. Remember that the vice-world champions appear in group D, they who have an appointment with the Netherlands next Friday in Leipzig, and finally with Poland, on Tuesday June 25, in Dortmund.
What history between France and Austria?
The two teams have only faced each other five times in the 21st century and 25 in total, with a record favorable to the Tricolores, 13 victories, nine defeats (including six during the first six confrontations between the two selections in the 20s, 30s and 40s ) and three draws. Only two duels in the final phase of a major international competition. In this case, the Austrians had eliminated France in the round of 16 of the 1934 World Cup in Italy (3-2 ap), with goals from Anton Schall and Josef Bican in overtime. Michel Platini’s gang defeated Austria in the group stage of the 1982 World Cup in Spain (1-0). Goal from Bernard Genghini. France-Austria, a poster which brings back relatively recent memories, in the group stage of the League of Nations. Kylian Mbappé snatched a draw by scoring in the 83rd minute on June 10, 2022, in Vienna (1-1). On the return, on September 22, 2022 in Saint-Denis, France won 2-0 with goals from Mbappé and Olivier Giroud in the second half.
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What ambitions for the French team in Germany?
Like England, Portugal, Germany and even Spain and a few other nations, France is arriving at Euro 2024 with the ambition of winning the title, that’s clear. And Didier Deschamps’ men have the means. Certainly, they arrive in Germany with some doubts (hinge, injuries, Mbappé, number 9, etc.), but the talent is there, as is the collective experience. And coach Deschamps has winning in his blood… Remember that the French team won the Euro twice, in 1984 during the Platini years, and in 2000, during the Zidane era.
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How do the Blues start their competitions under Deschamps?
In office since 2012, Didier Deschamps will attack his sixth final phase of a major international competition as coach and his third European Championship. The former captain of the Blues knows the importance of these first matches. Moreover, his French team was a hit under his leadership at the Euro or the World Cup, starting with a 3-0 success against Honduras at the 2014 World Cup. France then beat Romania at Euro 2016 (2-1), Australia (2-1) at the 2018 World Cup, Germany (1-0) at Euro 2020 (played in 2021) and Australia (4 -1), on the occasion of the 2022 World Cup. Five out of five. Obviously, a victory in the first match gives no guarantee. And a setback is not prohibitive. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia (1-2) to begin its World Cup in Qatar. And we know the rest…
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Which 11 for the Blues?
No surprises to expect in the goals (Mike Maignan), on the sides (Théo Hernandez and Jules Koundé), in the recovery (N’Golo Kanté), on the stick (Antoine Griezmann) and with regard to the arrows of the attack (Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé). To see who will accompany Dayot Upamecano in the central hinge, William Saliba or Ibrahima Konaté? The Gunner holds the rope. He was one of the starters on Sunday, during the last set-up. In the middle, Adrien Rabiot should start, he who has not played since May 20 with Juventus. As for the third thief in the attack line, Marcus Thuram will be the coach’s preference. Some additional questions, about the positioning of Mbappé or the animation of this probable starting 11. Griezmann in the middle or up front?
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What is Austria worth?
Obviously, Austria is not one of the favorites for final victory. He’s not a little Tom Thumb either. 25th nation in the Fifa rankings, it finished second in its qualifying group with 19 points, losing only to Belgium (2-3). Moreover, the men of Ralf Rangnick – who recently refused Bayern – had hung the Red Devils (1-1). Over their last 16 matches, the record speaks for itself: 12 victories (Italy, Germany, Turkey, etc.), three draws and one defeat. They have not lost since October 2023 against the Belgians, seven matches without a setback, they who rely in particular on Konrad Laimer from Bayern Munich, Marcel Sabitzer from Borussia Dortmund or Christoph Baumgartner, from Leipzig, without forgetting the experienced Marko Inter’s Arnautovic. Madrilenian David Alaba is missing, injured. Hard blow. A well-known player in France within this offensive-oriented team who will put a lot of pressure on the Tricolores, RC Lens defender Kevin Danso.
