France vs Croatia - Competition: World Cup (Finale)
Date: 15 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 17:00 CET
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium
France team have reached a second consecutive major tournament final, after
they lost to Portugal at Euro 2016. Les Bleus are aiming to bring him
the trophy they previously won in 1998, having also lost the 2006 final
on penalties to Italy. Deschamps' men reached the World Cup final by
beating Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals, courtesy of a Samuel Umtiti
header. They have also beaten Argentina (4-3) and Uruguay (2-0) in the
knockout stage. In the group stage, France beat Australia (2-1) and Peru
(1-0), and recorded a goalless draw against Denmark (0-0). As a result,
they have kept 4 clean sheet in 6 games.
Deschamps can
name an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Belgium as Blaise
Matuidi should be fit to start despite going off injured last time out.
Olivier Giroud should keep his place up front despite he is yet to break
the duck. The Chelsea striker will be supported by Kylian Mbappè and
Antoine Griezmann, with Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kantè anchoring the
midfield. Djibril Sidibe is still a doubt for les Bleus but Benjamin
Pavard is safe to start at right-back, forming an unchanged backline
alongside Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Lucas Hernandez.
Croatia
denied England's bid to reach the final for the first time since 1966,
knocking off the Three Lions 2-1 in extra time. They are the first team
in World Cup history to go to extra-time in all three of their knockout
matches en route to the final, with two of them decided by penalty
shootouts (against Russia and Denmark). That leaves doubt as to whether
they have the energy to endure another marathon matchup. Interestingly,
all three of their knockout games have finished 1-1. Hence, after two
victories without conceding - 2:0 over Nigeria and 3:0 over Argentina -
the Blazers have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last four matches.
Croatia have never beaten France in five previous meetings, although the
last two encounters have ended in a draw.
Mandzukic should
also ready despite going off with cramp in extra-time against England.
Ivan Strinic is also likely to recover after limping off in that match.
Marcelo Brozovic should retain his spot as pivot in the middle of the
park, while Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic will
feature from the off as offensive midfielders behind Mandzukic. Milan
Badelj and Mateo Kovacic provide useful midfield options, Andrej
Kramaric is a viable alternative upfront. Sime Vrsaljko remarkably
recovered from a knee injury in time to start against England and will
continue at right-back here, forming a four man backline with Dejan
Lovren, Damagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic.
Probable lineups:
France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Pogba, Kante – Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi – Giroud.
Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic – Rakitic, Brozovic – Rebic, Modric, Perisic – Mandzukic.
