France vs Argentina Competition: World Cup
Date: 30 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST
Venue: Kazan’ Arena
Date: 30 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST
Venue: Kazan’ Arena
France team have enjoyed a smooth passage into the last sixteen of the WC with two wins and a draw to their name. They beat 2-1 Australia in
their opening game, 1-0 Peru in the second match and managed to earn a
goalless draw against Denmark last time out. They had scored in 11
consecutive internationals before the dead rubber against. Les Blues
haven’t been convincing in the final third despite they are considered
one of the most talented squad. France conceded just once – a penalty –
in the process. Didier Deschamps' men probabley face their first real
test of the competition so far and they need to get out of first gear.
Didier Deschamps is likely to play with his usual 4-2-3-1 system. Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann are in contention to start as striker. Should Giroud get the nod, Griezmann will play out wide. Otherwise, the likes of Kylian Mbappè, Paul Pogba and Nabil Fekir will play as offensive midfielders. Blaise Matuidi is expected to partner N'Golo Kantè in the middle of the park. Samuel Umtiti remains a doubt, but is expected to be fit in time to join Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard in the four man backline. Hugo Lloris will return in goal.
Argentina team have survived a major scare and got through to the knock-out stages with a 2-1 win over Nigeria last time out, a match in which Messi finally opened his account for the tournament with a goal. Prior to that, they were hold by Iceland (1-1) and suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Croatia team. The defense is their main concern - the Albiceleste have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 5 (a friendly vs Haiti). Anyway, with Messi starting to fire all cylinders, this could be a very open contest.
Jorge Sampaoli could name the same XI that started against Nigeria on Tuesday night, meanign that Ever Banega will retain his starting berth as midfielder, joining Javier Mascherano. Up front, Gonzalo Higuain should partner Leo Messi once again, despite a poor performance last time out. Juv team Perez and ANgel Di Maria will be the preferred wingers. No changes are expected in midfield with Mercado, Rojo, Otamendi and Tagliafico retaining their berth.
Didier Deschamps is likely to play with his usual 4-2-3-1 system. Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann are in contention to start as striker. Should Giroud get the nod, Griezmann will play out wide. Otherwise, the likes of Kylian Mbappè, Paul Pogba and Nabil Fekir will play as offensive midfielders. Blaise Matuidi is expected to partner N'Golo Kantè in the middle of the park. Samuel Umtiti remains a doubt, but is expected to be fit in time to join Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard in the four man backline. Hugo Lloris will return in goal.
Argentina team have survived a major scare and got through to the knock-out stages with a 2-1 win over Nigeria last time out, a match in which Messi finally opened his account for the tournament with a goal. Prior to that, they were hold by Iceland (1-1) and suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Croatia team. The defense is their main concern - the Albiceleste have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 5 (a friendly vs Haiti). Anyway, with Messi starting to fire all cylinders, this could be a very open contest.
Jorge Sampaoli could name the same XI that started against Nigeria on Tuesday night, meanign that Ever Banega will retain his starting berth as midfielder, joining Javier Mascherano. Up front, Gonzalo Higuain should partner Leo Messi once again, despite a poor performance last time out. Juv team Perez and ANgel Di Maria will be the preferred wingers. No changes are expected in midfield with Mercado, Rojo, Otamendi and Tagliafico retaining their berth.
France last 5 matches:
01/06/18 France 3 – 1 Italy09/06/18 France 1 – 1 United States
16/06/18 France 2 – 1 Australia
21/06/18 France 1 – 0 Peru
26/06/18 Denmark 0 – 0 France
Argentina last 5 matches:
27/03/18 Spain 6 – 1 Argentina30/05/18 Argentina 4 – 0 Haiti
16/06/18 Argentina 1 – 1 Iceland
21/06/18 Argentina 0 – 3 Croatia
26/06/18 Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina