The expected XI for Didier Deschamps’ France side as they take on Germany in the World Cup quarter finals.
France head into Friday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter final against Germany having been one of the tournament’s most consistently impressive sides so far – with the only game that they failed to win being a largely irrelevant finally group game against Ecuador that finished 0-0.
A quarter final against Joachim Low’s side definitely represents a step up in quality for the French compared to the teams that they have faced already, however, so it will be interesting to see whether Didier Deschamps’ men truly are the real deal.
With this in mind, we take a look at the team that Deschamps is likely to select in an attempt to guide Les Bleus into the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper and Defence
GK) Hugo Lloris
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is pretty much unchallenged as French first choice goalkeeper and will keep his place between the posts for the game against Germany.
RB) Mathieu Debuchy
Heavily linked with Arsenal over recent days, Newcastle United right back Mathieu Debuchy is set to continue seeing off the challenge of former Gunner Bacary Sagna as Didier Deschamps’ first choice.
CB) Raphael Varane
One of the finest young defenders in the world, Raphael Varane has established himself as first choice for Deschamps at a young age and impresses with both his physicality and reading of the game, although he can suffer from over-confidence.
CB) Mamadou Sakho
Deschamps does have a decision to make when it comes to Varane’s partner, with Laurent Koscielny having replaced Mamadou Sakho for the game against Nigeria after the Liverpool man picked up a knock – but he should be fit to return here.
LB) Patrice Evra
Experienced and wily, Manchester United star Patrice Evra is one of few older heads in an exciting young French team and could be crucial now things are getting tougher for Les Bleus.