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.
Midfield
CM) Blaise Matuidi
A strong box-to-box midfielder capable of chipping in with a goal, PSG’s Blaise Matuidi is one of the underrated players stationed in the engine room of this French side.
CM) Paul Pogba
A precocious young talent who will develop into one of the world’s finest midfielders, the Juventus man is likely to be preferred to Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko after a strong performance against Nigeria.
CM) Yohan Cabaye
A deep-lying creative influence on this French team, former Newcastle and current PSG man Yohan Cabaye has continued to blossom in this French team thanks to the protection afforded by a three-man midfield and physical central midfield teammates.
Attack
ARM) Mathieu Valbuena
Diminutive Marseille playmaker Mathieu Valbuena is enjoying a fine World Cup and will keep his place on the right hand side of Deschamps’ front three as the team’s primary creative influence.
ALM) Antoine Griezmann
Left on the bench for the game against Nigeria, Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann helped to change the game once he was introduced as a second half substitute and is likely to have done enough to earn a start ahead of Olivier Giroud.
SC) Karim Benzema
Much more effective when moved centrally against the Nigerians, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is likely to spearhead the attack as his La Liga counterpart Griezmann slots into his position on the left flank.