France qualified for their 14th World Cup but they certainly did it the hard way.
Drawn in a group with title holders Spain, the loss they suffered at home – despite the late draw Olivier Giroud had snatched in the first encounter between the pair in Madrid – ultimately doomed them to a runners-up spot in the group.
Les Bleus thus had to go through the playoffs, much like they had to ahead of South Africa 2010, in order to book their spot in Brazil. Didier Deschamps’ men endured quite the scare though, losing 2-0 against Ukraine in Kiev. It took a Herculean effort to overturn the result as Mamadou Sakho’s brace led France to a 3-0 win that stunned Mykhaylo Fomenko’s charges. In doing so, France became the first side to overturn a two goal deficit in European World Cup playoffs in what was an electric atmosphere inside the Stade de France that bore echoes of their 1998 triumph.
With the feel-good factor and euphoric fans behind them again, France will look to bring success and excitement to their supporters. And with Deschamps at the helm, the French people are confident that this team can make them proud again.
The Coach: Didier Deschamps
Deschamps is the glue that holds this whole team together, master of ceremonies and great patriarch. The former 1998 World Cup winner already made quite the statement by omitting Manchester City’s Samir Nasri from his 23-man France squad. He had in fact already justified this decision prior to making his list, speaking on RMC and saying that he would be picking “the best group of 23 and not necessarily the best 23 players.”
Deschamps is one to prefer a safety-first approach, and the 4-3-3 formation he has settled on reflects that. The midfield trio of Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba is foremost athletic and not shy about putting in a tackle.
The France coach has also gambled on youth, making Real Madrid starlet Raphael Varane the anchor of his central defense (when the 21-year-old is fit) as well as rewarding playoff hero Sakho with the vice-captaincy.
Key Player: Frank Ribery
The Bayern Munich ace is the technical leader of this team and the one Les Bleus will be counting on the most. Unfortunately Ribery finds himself a serious injury doubt to start the World Cup, suffering from chronic lower back pain according to information RMC relayed from the Clairefontaine medical staff.
If France have any hope of going far they will require a fully fit Ribery and all his wing wizardry to achieve their objectives. With genuine worry about his potential inability to play in Brazil still swirling around, Griezmann has been mooted as his replacement given Deschamps’ probable hesitation to change his 4-3-3 so close to the World Cup.
One to Watch: Paul Pogba
Juventus fans will know Pogba well already; but to the rest of the world, he will be the standout youngster to look out for. The midfielder is an all-action player. Rangey, dynamic, powerful, Pogba mixes all these attributes and is a veritable battering ram in midfield. Don’t let his hulking 6’2” frame fool you however, the 21-year-old has a real eye for a pass as well as sniper-like long-range shot.
How Far Can They Go?
On the potential of the squad and its ability on paper, semifinals. France happen to be a very underrated side with a renewed generation out to make a splash. Deschamps has put together a coherent and balanced group, with a clear idea of his starting 11 while still encouraging healthy competition as well.
Of course that is assuming everyone is fit, and the Ribery issue has thrown the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons. Defensively the team is sound, with a Hugo Lloris in goal and Varane keeping things tidy at the back. The midfield offers good protection to the backline too and serves as the team’s launchpad going forward. As for the attacking trio, it is well in tune thanks to Deschamps maintaining it throughout most of the qualification phase.
Prediction: Quarterfinals
The Ribery injury is too important to discount. Not just on the pitch, but his absence is bound to also weigh psychologically on the team. Another injury consideration is Varane, whose knee has often troubled him since his move to Real Madrid. He is another that the France medical team will be carefully monitoring.
Finally, there is the case of Karim Benzema. Despite his stellar goalscoring record with Real Madrid, the striker has yet to really shine for Les Bleus. This will be another big test for Benzema in an international competition, and one he can seldom afford to fail if France are to have any hope of going far.
