As soon as upon a time France did have a plan for Lionel Messi. The issue forward of Sunday’s World Cup last with Messi’s Argentina is that the plan is now not out there.
It was in 2018 on the final World Cup in Russia that France coach Didier Deschamps detailed N’Golo Kante to man mark Messi when the groups met within the final sixteen. The Chelsea midfielder did a job so complete in a 4-3 win that his French team-mates nonetheless sing a music about it.
However with Kante absent with damage this time, what are France to do a few 35-year-old seemingly pushed by a way of entitlement and future to carry the World Cup on the fifth time of asking?
N’Golo Kante (proper) proved instrumental in quietening Lionel Messi (left) at 2018 World Cup
However with the French midfielder (proper) now injured that duty will fall to another person
France will tackle Messi’s (pictured) Argentina on the 2022 World Cup last on Sunday
‘I do not know,’ stated Olivier Giroud when requested if there was to be a particular plan for Messi on the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
‘I bear in mind again within the days of 2018. N’Golo was all the sport on his again, behind him. Perhaps it labored.
‘However this time I do not know what would be the plan. We’ll see with the supervisor.’
France are the defending champions however not the favourites for Sunday’s sport.. Deschamps workforce has issues, too.
In the course of the match they’ve missed key gamers Kante (proper) and Paul Pogba (left)
Les Bleus have additionally been with out striker Karim Benzema (pictured) who could return on Sunday
A virus that disadvantaged Deschamps of three gamers for his or her semi-final win over Morocco on Wednesday at Al Bayt is threatening to take down extra of Les Bleus squad. In France there has even been speak of a return for Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema.
The Actual Madrid ahead tore a thigh muscle forward of this match however has recovered sufficient to have performed a part of a Actual Madrid follow sport yesterday. He was by no means formally withdrawn from the France squad.
A recall for the 34-year-old would appear like a final resort. The ahead has not solely clashed with Deschamps prior to now but additionally with Giroud. To carry him again in to the fold now would seem a danger that’s not value taking, regardless of the depleted numbers.
France boss Didier Deschamps (pictured) has additionally needed to cope with a virus in his camp
Whereas Lucas Hernandez (pictured) was injured of their opening 4-1 victory in opposition to Australia
In reality making up for these absent has been a theme of this World Cup for this French squad already. Disadvantaged by damage pre-tournament of Kante, Paul Pogba and Benzema, Deschamps additionally misplaced his full-back Lucas Hernandez early within the opening 4-1 victory over Australia.
Such a burden would have been too nice for a lot of groups to have carried right here in Qatar. How, for instance, would England have coped with out Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham?
France have discovered a method, although, and partially that has been because of the performances of gamers corresponding to Actual Madrid’s midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. The 22-year-old was courted by Liverpool earlier than shifting to Spain from Monaco for £68m final summer time.
However France have discovered a method by way of, calling on midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni (pictured)
The 22-year-old has proved very important for his aspect, scoring the essential first objective in opposition to England
He’ll now be an integral a part of a aspect who should inhibit Messi throughout Sunday’s last
Tchouameni has began each sport at this World Cup and scored the essential first objective in opposition to England within the quarter-final final weekend.
‘These gamers that aren’t listed below are nice gamers,’ he stated after Wednesday’s victory.
‘It has been actually unlucky that they’re injured however individuals like myself have tried to do our greatest to have the ability to assist the workforce in the midst of the pitch.
‘I believe total the workforce have completed an ideal job.
Whereas Kylian Mbappe (pictured) has been the star in France’s entrance line, others have stepped up
Olivier Giroud (left) and Antoine Griezmann (proper) have each been exemplary for Les Bleus
‘This workforce is a combination. We have now different individuals who have already gained the World Cup however we even have loads of younger gamers in our workforce.
‘Gamers like myself, we do not have loads of expertise however we earn expertise sport by sport out right here surrounded by the others.
‘We’re rising and are able to struggle till the top to win this title.’
Of the workforce that beat Croatia within the last 4 and a half years in the past, 5 gamers can count on to begin tomorrow.
It has been an evolution quickened by necessity and the constants – gamers corresponding to Giroud, Hugo Loris, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann – stay elementary to French possibilities in opposition to Argentina on an event that may as soon as once more see French supporters closely outnumbered.
Deschamps’ skilled gamers have come by way of for him this final month. Hugo Lloris, for instance, has been a steadying presence in objective whereas, regardless of an detached show on Wednesday, Giroud has been distinctive.
The AC Milan striker is 36 now however stated: ‘We have now another time an ideal squad.
‘We imagine in ourself and our high quality. I believe we need to be there within the last as a result of we put a lot effort to achieve that stage.
‘Now we are going to do every little thing to carry a 3rd star for France.’
And Giroud (pictured) believes that his aspect have the ‘self perception to carry dwelling third star’
In some methods the story of this World Cup has already been selected and it has Messi at its core. Which will swimsuit France, a workforce able to successful huge video games on the again of restricted possession.
They did simply that in opposition to Morocco and beforehand in opposition to England. France haven’t conceded a objective in open play since Deschamps made 9 modifications for his workforce’s last group sport in opposition to Tunisia.
‘We simply have one sport now to make historical past,’ added Tchouameni.
‘We’ll do every little thing to win.’
