France predicted XI v Croatia: William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté to start | OneFootball

France face Croatia this Thursday at Split for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals first leg. The return leg is set to be played this Sunday at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France. For this 2018 FIFA World Cup final rematch, Didier Deschamps is expected to field an experienced side, L’Equipe reports. Arsenal centre-back William Saliba and his Liverpool counterpart Ibrahima Konaté are expected to start against the Vatreni. Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upemacano will therefore be benched after missing Tuesday’s training session.

Les Bleus were training this Wednesday night at Split’s Poljud Stadium and France national team boss Didier Deschamps fielded a 4-3-3 formation. Lazio midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi looks to have got the nod from Deschamps at the expense of Roma’s Manu Koné. The former Arsenal and Marseille midfielder is poised to start alongside France midfield stalwarts Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot.

Up front, Deschamps has no shortage of talent with the likes of Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué or Michael Olise all set to be benched. Kylian Mbappé will return to the France XI with the skipper’s armband. The Real Madrid striker will be tasked to lead a fluid forward line from the left with in-form PSG scoring sensation Ousmane Dembélé as the No. 9 and Juventus’ Randal Kolo Muani set to start on the right wing.

France likely line-up v Croatia

Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Mattéo Guendouzi, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Bastien Cheval