The State of Play
Didier Deschamps may well be heading into his sixth and final tournament as manager of the French national team and he once again has a stacked squad at his disposal, although perhaps not necessarily at the level of the likes between 2016 and 2021; albeit the 2022 version did reach the final of the FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus’ newer generation are still very strong and but were most recently held to a 2-2 draw by Greece.
Germany are gearing up to host UEFA EURO 2024 but they need some significant improvement all over the pitch with Die Mannschaft beginning the Julian Nagelsmann reign with a 3-1 victory over the United States but then they have followed that with a 2-2 draw and then back-to-back defeats during the November international break against Turkiye and Austria.
Read our other international football news stories here:
Wales v Poland: Rob Page says Dragons have improved since World Cup
Manuel Neuer leaves Germany squad after suffering adductor injury
Mainoo targeting Euro 2024 after Man Utd wonderkid wins first England call-up
Team News
France’s biggest injury issue for this week is that Atletico Madrid attacker and key man, national team vice-captain Antoine Griezmann is missing through injury which means he will end an 84-match run of being involved in France matches.
Julian Nagelsmann is known for experimentation and he played Kai Havertz at left-back in October. Who knows what he will come up with this spring but he has had to endure the injury withdrawals of Manuel Neuer, Jan-Niklas Beste and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Expected Line-ups
France: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe
Germany: Ter-Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Gundogan; Wirtz, Gross, Musiala; Havertz
What they Said
Didier Deschamps has been discussing his captain Kylian Mbappe, talking about the fact him being regularly rested by Luis Enrique and PSG as a good thing because ‘the fatigue inevitably builds up.’
According to reports in Germany, the national team are aiming to keep Julian Nagelsmann beyond UEFA EURO 2024 but Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has hinted at the fact the Bavarians would be interested in him returning for next season.
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon at 20:00 on Saturday March 23rd and will be televised live on Viaplay Sports 1. It will also be able to be streamed live via the Viaplay Sports app in the UK.
Prediction
These two only met as recently as the September international break when Hansi Flick had been sacked just a couple of days before. Interim coach Rudi Voller oversaw a surprise German victory but Germany have once again regressed since then. The visitors to Lyon have managed just two victories in their last ten matches since March 2023. They now take on a French side that have a groove to them, especially in France, and a statement French win is to be expected.
