Euro 2024: How France will line up against Poland

24 Jun 2024 19:18 BST
4 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, France, Euro 2024 — © IMAGO

France are one of the favourites to win the 2024 European Championship as they look to emulate their World Cup dominance in the Euros.

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Having won the 2018 World Cup, Didier Deschamps’ side fell to a crushing penalty shootout defeat against Argentina in the 2022 tournament, while they exited Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage after another penalty loss - this time to Switzerland.

Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive spot kick against Switzerland and will be hoping to avenge that mistake, though it is doubtful whether he will be able to play an outsized role after breaking his nose in Les Bleus' opening game against Austria.

Mbappe bagged a hat-trick during the aforementioned World Cup final and will be hoping that France can win the Euros for the first time since 2000 - even without their star boy.

After defeating Austria 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with the Netherlands, France will look to put in a more convincing showing against Poland in order to win their group.

Below, FootballTransfers predicts France’s first-choice starting XI against Poland at Euro 2024...

How France will line up against Austria

Mike Maignan is surprisingly injury prone for a goalkeeper, but the AC Milan number one has returned to full fitness and will continue in goal after his clean sheet against Austria.

Right-back has typically been a troublesome position for Deschamps in recent years, but Jules Kounde is expected to continue as France's first-choice in this role.

© IMAGO - Jules Kounde will likely start at right-back for France

At the 2022 World Cup, Deschamps favoured Dayot Upamecano and Raphael Varane at centre-back, but the former is out of favour at Bayern Munich and the latter didn't make the squad.

However, Upamecano is still likely to start against Poland. He will be partnered by Arsenal star William Saliba.

Lucas Hernandez suffered an ACL injury towards the end of the season, meaning his brother Theo has been France’s undisputed first-choice left-back at the tournament. The AC Milan star will continue to start.

Aurelien Tchouameni suffered a late-season injury at Real Madrid but returned to the starting XI against the Netherlands.

He was partnered by Al-Ittihad midfielder N'Golo Kante. The former Leicester and Chelsea star has looked a man reborn, claiming two man-of-the-match awards.

Adrien Rabiot will start as a nominal left-winger following Mbappe's injury. The latter is expected to be rested again, forcing Deschamps to get creative.

© IMAGO - Adrien Rabiot is expected to start for France

Ousmane Dembele will start on the opposite flank, while Antoine Griezmann will play as a number ten off striker Marcus Thuram. The Inter star will likely get the nod over Olivier Giroud again.

France’s predicted starting XI against the Netherlands

GK: Mike Maignan

RB: Jules Kounde

CB: William Saliba

CB: Dayot Upemacano

LB: Theo Hernandez

CM: N'Golo Kante

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni

CAM: Antoine Griezmann

RW: Ousmane Dembele

ST: Marcus Thuram

LW: Adrien Rabiot

France's Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens).

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N'Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurlien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).