It’s a clash of styles in every sense of the word when 1998 winners France take on two-time champions Uruguay in the first quarter-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Friday night.
France, powered by the mercurial teenager that is Kylian Mbappe, seem to have upped a gear in the knockout stages, overpowering Argentina with superior firepower alone.
And while in front of them is another South American team, Uruguay are a very different beast and will certainly not be brushed aside the like the Albiceleste were.
Despite possessing the star striking duo of Edinson Cavani (major doubt for the game) and Luis Suarez, it’s their miserly defence, marshalled by the wily Diego Godin, that has formed the backbone of their run in Russia so far.
So by all accounts, this should be an enthralling clash, but let’s get a closer look at the respective teams.
France
Initially, Didier Deschamps was starting all his big guns (Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe) up top, but since the second group-stage game, Dembele has been benched in favour of Olivier Giroud.
Griezmann and Mbappe provide more than enough pace and the burly Giroud offers a direct option the Uruguayan defence might have trouble against.
Paul Pobga may get plenty of flak, but so far the flashy Frenchman has been pretty decent in the heart of midfield, helped no doubt, by the tireless phenomenon that is N’Golo Kante.
At the back, Raphael Varane has been impressive as have been young fullbacks Theo Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard but if there’s a weak link at the back, it’s Samuel Umtiti as the Barcelona man is yet to inspire confidence.
Hugo Lloris didn’t have the best of seasons with Tottenham Hotspur but Les Blues skipper has been pretty solid between the sticks in Russia.
Deschamps, captain of the side that won the 1998 edition has a wealth of options to call from the bench in virtually every department and that depth may just prove to be telling in the second-half when the Uruguayans are flagging come Friday.
And while they do not have any injury concerns, Blaise Matudi’s suspension does complicate matters somewhat.
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The smart money is on Corentin Tolisso to replace the Juventus man but it all depends on what sort of gameplan Deschamps will employ against the South Americans.
Likely starting XI (4-3-3): Lloris (C), Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Tolisso, Mbappe, Griezmann and Giroud.
Talking corner “They will waste time, they will fall down, surround the referee. It’s their game, it’s the same at Atletico Madrid” –France forward Antoine Griezmann
Injury concerns: None
Suspension alert: Blaise Matudi
Uruguay
The big question is whether Edinson Cavani will recover in time from a hamstring injury to face the country where he plays his club football for.
With no official confirmation with regards to his participation, majority of the reports say the 31-year-old will not be fit and if you saw Uruguay’s 2-1 win over Portugal last week, you’ll know that is a massive blow indeed.
Without Cavani, Luis Suarez and Co. have an onerous task, almost impossible it would seem.
Almost, because at this World Cup, we have seen a string of upsets like no other so of course, the 1930 and 1950 winners are still in it, but there job just got a lot harder.
Diego Laxalt, Godin, Martin Caceres and Jose Maria Gimenez are but a few names that have been outstanding at the back and the fact that they have conceded just once in four games, suggests France face their toughest test yet.
Rodrigo Bentacur’s form in midfield has been a pleasant surprise for the Juventus youngster is shoring up things in the middle of the park, but in Cavani’s absence, all eyes are on Suarez.
Past two World Cups, he’s been outstanding but his performances have been overshadowed by controversies, so which way will he swing this time?
Cristhian Stuani is the leading candidate to partner Suarez up top in the event in the likely event Cavani is unable to recover in time.
Oscar Tabarez’s men, however, can take solace from the fact that France have been anything but solid at the back and opportunities will present themselves and if Suarez is his clinical self, the dream may just continue.
Likely starting XI (3-5-2): Muslera, Gimenez, Godin (C), Caceres, Nandez, Vecino, Bentacur, Toerreira, Laxalt, Suarez and Stuani.
Talking corner “We’re going there to win, to compete. We’ve won more international titles than anyone else.” Uruguay captain Diego Godin (quote via Guardian)
Injury concerns: Edinson Cavani (Hamstring)
Suspension alert: None