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WORLD CUP 2022

France possible starting lineup for game 2 of the group stage vs Denmark

A win would secure a Round of 16 place for Les Bleus as they face Denmark at Stadium 974.

Didier DESCHAMPS (Selectionneur France) during the French Team Football - Training session on November 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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France were forced to come from behind against Australia and a positive response from Didier Deschamps’ men now leaves Les Bleus just a win away from qualifying for the Round of 16. The Danes struggled to break down a resilient Tunisia side and will be anxious to ensure that they are in contention come matchday 3.

The defending champions will secure qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare in Group D but must overcome a side who beat and outplayed them twice recently.

Denmark beat France 2-1 away in June and 2-0 at home in September in the Nations League.

“In June they had a few different players and there will be a few new (ones) tomorrow because the team may not be exactly the same as it was in June or in September but we’ve assessed those players and we of course learn from those experiences in the past but Denmark will learn from them too,” France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told a news conference on Friday.

“They can change their system from one match to the other and that can give us different types of difficulties.”

01 Hugo LLORIS
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01 Hugo LLORIS FEPGetty

While coach Didier Deschamps will stick to a four-man defence, he could be tempted to make a few adjustments as Denmark have little in common with Australia, who Les Bleus beat 4-1 on Tuesday.

Fullback Benjamin Pavard was often outpaced on the right side of the defence, which could lead Deschamps to the extreme decision of bringing in central defender Jules Kounde.

With France’s right flank being their main weakness, Adrien Rabiot could switch to the right side of midfield with Aurelien Tchouameni playing as the number six and Antoine Griezmann moving slightly deeper behind the offensive trio.

Up front, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele should retain their spots, but more will be asked of them in terms of defensive work.

France's forward Kylian Mbappe takes part in a  training session at Al Sadd SC Stadium in Doha on November 25, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament Group D match between France and Denmark. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
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France's forward Kylian Mbappe takes part in a training session at Al Sadd SC Stadium in Doha on November 25, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament Group D match between France and Denmark. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)FRANCK FIFEGetty

France: possible XI vs Denmark

Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud