France and Croatia meet again in the UEFA Nations League, only this time the World champs will have the home-field advantage. The situation isn’t looking great for the Gauls, the reigning champions of this competition as well, because they have only two points in three events, sitting dead last in the group. Meanwhile, Croatia started a bit slower but improved over the course of time, and they have four points, the same as Austria, two fewer than Denmark, whom they beat on the road in the most recent event. The overall situation is promising a good battle at Stade de France in Paris.
Mbappe could now be ready to take his place in the starting lineup – albeit maybe not for the full 90 minutes – and a well-rested Wissam Ben Yedder should also push for some national team action. Presnel Kimpembe, Matteo Guendouzi and Christopher Nkunku can also feel optimistic about their chances of starting this one, with Ibrahima Konate potentially making way after being handed his debut on Friday night. Meanwhile, Croatia suffered no further injury concerns in Copenhagen after losing Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol already this month, but left-backs Borna Barisic and Borna Sosa were both absent on Friday.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up are now sitting pretty in third place in the section but will drop back into the relegation spot with defeat in Saint-Denis, but they have already held France to one stalemate this month and ought to fancy their chances of doing at least the same again. Dalic oversaw a dampening 3-0 defeat to Austria earlier this month, but that is Croatia’s only loss from their last 12 in all tournaments since bowing out of Euro 2020, and each of the visitors’ last four away matches have ended in victory. Deschamps was counting his lucky stars that Mbappe was fit enough for 30 minutes of action against Austria, while N’Golo Kante has left the camp due to a knee injury alongside Lucas Hernandez, whose partner is about to give birth.
Mbappe could now be ready to take his place in the starting lineup – albeit maybe not for the full 90 minutes – and a well-rested Wissam Ben Yedder should also push for some national team action. Presnel Kimpembe, Matteo Guendouzi and Christopher Nkunku can also feel optimistic about their chances of starting this one, with Ibrahima Konate potentially making way after being handed his debut on Friday night. Meanwhile, Croatia suffered no further injury concerns in Copenhagen after losing Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol already this month, but left-backs Borna Barisic and Borna Sosa were both absent on Friday.
They, too, play games with a moderate efficiency, 2 or 3 goals, with just one (the latest in Denmark) in the past five ending outside that range. This is a tactically very well-endowed team who knows to keep the result and hold the ball when needed. Kante is out, the same as Lucas Hernandez. Mbappe is questionable to play all 90 minutes, and it could be possible to see him starting on the bench and coming in afterward.
In their previous match, Croatia met Denmark on Friday and it finished in a slender 0:1 win away from home. The national selection is on a run of two games without losing, boasting one win and one draw. The home crowd, usually referred to as the “12th player”, have failed to significantly impact Croatia’s recent ten meetings, as they ended in 3 home victories and 4 away triumphs. When we take a look at the last five clashes, we see that two ended with more than 2.5 goals, with three having the two involved sides scoring. Croatia managed to keep one clean sheet and were unable to score in just one. There were a total of 11 goals scored across the team’s five most recent outings.
In Austria, we’ve seen France pretty pale in the opening 45 minutes. Yes, they didn’t play with the strongest lineup, but then again, the overall performance wasn’t at a satisfying level. Mbappe’s speed changed the situation in the second half, yet even with him on the field, France didn’t leave a convincing impression. Four of their last five games were with both teams to score and a moderate efficiency, 2 or 3 goals. The only one which wasn’t was a 5-0 victory over South Africa in a friendly international.
