Special correspondent to Décines
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Euro 2024: the complete calendar
Euro 2024: calendar and qualifying results
Not too many surprises to come in Didier Deschamps' eleven to challenge Germany on Saturday evening (9 p.m.).
Considering the last session behind closed doors on Friday, in the mild spring of the Rhone and on a very beautiful lawn at Groupama Stadium, the coach made his choices.
Slightly injured this week due to hamstring discomfort, Mike Maignan should give way to Brice Samba, which would tend to confirm that the Lensois remains second in the hierarchy of goalkeepers, ahead of Alphonse Areola.
In front of him, the RCL goalkeeper will find a line of four defenders made up of Jules Koundé on the right, Lucas Hernandez on the left and a Benjamin Pavard-Dayot Upamecano hinge.
The Blues staff want to see Pavard again, attractive with Inter Milan, in this central defender position.
In the middle, Aurélien Tchouaméni will be accompanied by Warren Zaire-Emery and Adrien Rabiot.
The 18-year-old Parisian, who started in Nice last November during the defeat against Gibraltar (14-0), before coming out injured and leaving the Blues, has a new chance to shine with a view to the Euro.
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Thuram has a great opportunity to make an impression and score points
In attack, little surprise there too, with the presence of Kylian Mbappé on the left, Marcus Thuram in the axis and Ousmane Dembélé on the right.
The Inter Milan striker (16 caps, 2 goals) has a real chance of scoring points, and spirits, against the Germans.
An important moment given the fierce competition he is having with Olivier Giroud and Randal Kolo Muani for the position of number 9 of the Blues.
Note that the presence of “Dembouz” will delight Luis Enrique and the Parisians, knowing that he had been forced to withdraw from Montpellier (6-2 victory) just before the international break due to an ear problem.
The Blues' probable 11 against Germany
:
Samba - Koundé, Pavard, Upamecano, L. Hernandez - Tchouaméni, Zaire-Emery, Rabiot - Dembélé, M. Thuram, Mbappé.