France XI vs Belgium: Predicted lineup, confirmed Euro 2024 team news and injury latest

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Evening Standard

·27 June 2024

France XI vs Belgium: Predicted lineup, confirmed Euro 2024 team news and injury latest

Pressure is on Didier Deschamps to find winning formula

France have multiple selection decisions to make ahead of facing Belgium in the last-16 at Euro 2024.

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Kylian Mbappe returned to the line-up for Tuesday’s draw with Poland which saw the pre-tournament favourites only manage to finish second in their group, behind Austria.

The Real Madrid-bound striker will continue to wear a face mask into the knockouts but his exact role, and the make-up of his supporting cast, is up for debate.

Didier Deschamps could return Mbappe to the left wing where he has often played his best football both domestically and internationally. That would require Les Bleus to gamble on starting the 37-year-old Olivier Giroud, or one of Randal Kolo Muani and the out-of-form Marcus Thuram, up front.

Antoine Griezmann was dropped from the XI last time out but could return to help spark some creativity in a move back to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola could retain their places out wide unless Mbappe is moved, while Kingsley Coman has only been trusted with one substitute appearance at this Euros.

Deschamps will face calls to leave Adrien Rabiot out of his line-up, particularly if France shift away from the three-man midfield seen in the last two games, but Aurelien Tchouameni’s place is also under threat given N’Golo Kante’s strong displays so far.

France have at least kept the goals out thanks to a settled backline and Arsenal man William Saliba should keep his place in front of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate for Monday’s game.

Predicted France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Rabiot, Kante; Dembele, Griezmann, Barcola; Mbappe

Time and date: 5pm BST, Monday July 1, 2024

Venue: Dusseldorf Arena

TV channel: ITV1