France head coach Didier Deschamps will likely axe Ibrahima Konate from his starting XI for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Croatia at the Stade de France.
The Liverpool man endured a rough evening on Thursday as Les Bleus went down 2-0 in the first leg, giving away a penalty – which Mike Maignan saved – before being withdrawn at half time.
France’s social media accounts stated that Konate was substituted due to injury, although Deschamps has disagreed with that claim, instead stating at full time that his change was tactical.
Either way, Konate will surely now cede his place in the backline to Dayot Upamecano, but William Saliba should reprise his role in front of Maignan despite an underwhelming display of his own in midweek.
Jules Kounde‘s spot at right-back is also safe, but Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne could make way for a more explosive left-back option in Theo Hernandez as France go all-out attack.
Both Adrien Rabiot and Matteo Guendouzi could also be sacrificed as Deschamps alters the pack, with the former making way for Eduardo Camavinga to join Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni in the centre.
Neither Bradley Barcola nor Michael Olise made the first XI in the first leg, but the tricky wide duo will surely stick their hands up for starts on Sunday alongside Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, who ought to occupy the central slots.
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Olise, Dembele, Barcola; Mbappe
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