Soccer. Nations League: France - Croatia, the match in question

The campaign to defend the Nations League title for the Blues started with a defeat against Denmark (2-1).

Soccer. Nations League: France - Croatia, the match in question

The campaign to defend the Nations League title for the Blues started with a defeat against Denmark (2-1). Even if this defeat isn't a setback for the Blues, a second disappointing performance would make it much more difficult to reach the "Final Four". France would likely lose its destiny.

Croatia is also in trouble, having been swept aside by Austria (3-0) at the beginning of the competition. The winner of Monday's competition at Split's Poljud Stadion was crowned. Didier Deschamps warned that "We will have to bounce back, and it won’t be easy." Luka Modric insisted that there are no regrets following Austria. The group is enjoying a great atmosphere. We are thrilled to meet the France team.

Didier Deschamps was open about it. He will reshuffle the team that lost to Denmark. Every line will be affected, even the goal where Mike Maignan will take over Hugo Lloris's captaincy. The coach said, "It was planned since the beginning of the rally."

This turnover, which can include between 8 and 9 changes, is an opportunity to substitute the usual substitutes (Ben Yedder Guendouzi Digne, Guendouzi etc.). It will be less than six months until the World Cup. The hierarchy may seem fixed at the top, but it is more fluid in the middle and behind the people who are trying to find the right formula.

The organisms will be tested in Split's heat, where temperatures drop only moderately in the evening. The freshness aspect, which has been a long international season, will be crucial. Didier Deschamps: "Obviously, this calendar isn't ideal, but it was hard to do otherwise. There can be some decompression in June, if there is no big tournament. It is evident that players are not 100% physically.

"We have tired players. Croatian coach Zlatko Dalilic asks, "But are we going to allow our turn pass?" We don't play for the competition, but we do. We don't have many options so we won't make any changes.

Since the friendly against Finland on November 11, 2019, Wissam Ben Yodder has not been part of the France team. He was only able to play for just over an hour. He has played in seven selections, totaling 127 minutes (18). A misery...

Didier Deschamps admits that he is still with us, but he wants me to give him more time. He should be starting him against Croatia. He's efficient in his register, quick in sequences and skilled in short games. It is also very effective.

His 32 goals in all competitions this season for AS Monaco have proven that. He must turn the tables and score more goals against opponents with poor references (Andorra, South Africa).

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As evident by the number of matches between France and Croatia. The Blues are undefeated (6 victories, 2 draws) with more wins than they have against Iceland (15) or Northern Ireland (9). Average goals scored in matches against Croatia were 3.4 per game. Spectacular !