Special envoy to Split
He announced it, he didn't lie.
Faced with an insane schedule of four matches in eleven days (Denmark, Croatia, Austria, Croatia) in June, Didier Deschamps had trumpeted his desire to "give playing time" to those who have little.
It will be done this Monday evening in the authentic Poljud stadium in Split, which is home to the legendary team of Hadjuk Split.
Compared to the defeat against the Danes on Friday (1-2), the coach of the Blues made ten changes in his starting lineup.
For an XXL turnover.
To discover
The complete calendar of the Blues
Ben Yedder, Nkunku play very big for the World Cup
Because the bodies are worn out, some elements are diminished (Kanté, Coman, Mbappé, Benzema, Koundé) and others have to play to earn their place on the plane for the World Cup (November 21-December 18).
But the great novelty lies above all in the return to a four-man defense with Pavard, Saliba, Kimpembe (captain in the absence of Lloris, replaced by Maignan in goal) and Digne.
Read alsoThese Blues who (already) play very big for the World Cup in Qatar
A choice which must be understood by the fact of the absence of the Griezmann-Mbappé-Benzema trio at the kick-off and the desire to solidify the block of an experimental team and without any common experience.
As a reminder, the switch to 3-4-1-2 was also made to "
put the attacking trio in the best
possible position ", as Didier Deschamps liked to remind us.
Read alsoCroatia-France: Ben Yedder, Nkunku, Guendouzi holders ... and a surprise from Deschamps?
In the middle, Diaby on the right and Rabiot on the left will be in charge of animating the corridors with the Tchouaméni-Guendouzi duo on recovery.
In front, Ben Yedder and Nkunku, usual substitutes, have the perfect opportunity to mark the spirits and almost validate their ticket for Doha.
Kick-off 8:45 p.m. under the sun and the heat of Split.
The starting lineup of the Blues:
Maignan - Pavard, Saliba, Kimpembe (cap), Digne - Diaby, Tchouaméni, Guendouzi, Rabiot - Ben Yedder, Nkunku
