Before France played the USA last Saturday in the Lyon suburb of Decines, French coach Didier Deschamps said he wouldn’t deviate much from that lineup he put when Les Bleus open the World Cupagainst Australia in Kazan.
But he seems to have changed his mind after the 1-1 tie in which the attack struggled to combine. Deschamps is set to go straight to his young stars,19-year-old Kilian Mbappe and 21-year-old Ousmane Dembele, working together in front of Antoine Griezmann.
Mbappe, France’s new star, was always expected but Dembeleshould replace Olivier Giroud, who had a poor game before he exited in the second half following a collision that also forced American Matt Miazga to leave the game.
Deschamps should make as many as four changes in all from the starting lineup for the USA game: Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez as the outside backs in place of Djibril Sidibeand Benjamin Mendy and Corentin Tolisso for Blaise Matuidi in midfield.
Prediction
France will bedisappointed if it doesn’t make the final four — where it would face a potential semifinal match against Brazil in St. Petersburg if it wins Group C. The outsider to watch in the tournament is Peru,which will be playing in its first World Cup since 1982. Thousands of Peruvians have made their way to Russia to support Ricardo Gareca’s team.
Our picks: 1. France. 2. Peru. 3 Denmark 4. Australia.
Group C Schedule
June 16 France vs.Australia, Kazan (6 am ET, FS1, Telemundo)
June 16 Peru vs. Denmark, Saransk (12 pm ET, FS1, Telemundo)
June 21 Denmark vs. Australia, Samara (8 am ET, FS1, Telemundo)
June 21 France vs. Peru, Ekaterinburg (11 am ET, Fox, Telemundo)
June 26 Denmark vs. France, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow (10 am ET, *Fox, Universo)
June 26 Australiavs. Peru, Sochi (10 am ET, *FS1, Telemundo)
*Network assignment subject to change.
World Cup:
The Entertainers
Griezmann, whose “La Décision” video ended up with him announcing that he will stay at Atletico Madrid, didn’t score in five World Cup games fouryears ago. He’ll start out the 2018 World Cup as a withdrawn striker. …. Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen scored 11 of Denmark’s 25 goals in qualifying, including a hat trick in the5-1 win over Ireland in the UEFA playoffs.
Breakout Player
Mbappe will be the favorite to win the top Young Player awardat the World Cup (players born on or after Jan. 1, 1997). France will depend heavily on him to break down defenses, and that pressure shouldn’t get to him. He is the complete package with maturitybeyond his years.
U.S. Connection
Two MLS players — Andy Polo (Portland) and Yoshimar Yotun (Orlando City)– made Peru’s World Cup team, and teammate Raul Ruidiaz might join the Seattle Sounders from Mexico’s Morelia in July.
Trivia
In its fifth World Cup, Peru has faced the eventual champion in every tournament it has participated — Uruguay in 1930, Brazil in 1970, Argentina in 1978 and Italy in 1982.