Official: Barcelona duo Kounde, Dembele start for France against Denmark | OneFootball

Reigning champions France will be aiming to take a step towards qualifying for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2022 when they face off against Denmark in their second Group D encounter.

France manager Didier Deschamps has released the starting lineup that will face off against the Danes. And he has opted to include Barcelona duo Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele in the XI.

Kounde did not start for Les Bleus in their first group game against Australia and made a late substitute appearance. But the 23-year-old has gotten the nod tonight and will start at right-back, ahead of Benjamin Pavard, who did not do all too well in the first match.

As for Dembele, he was part of the starting XI against the Socceroos last time out and has retained his place in the France side forming the attacking quartet with former Barcelona teammate Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.

Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni line up in the middle of the park.

Alongside Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, and Theo Hernandez complete the France backline, with the latter replacing his brother Lucas Hernandez, who has been ruled out of the World Cup with an injury. Captain Hugo Lloris mans the goal as is the case always.

On the opposite side, Dembele and Kounde will see their Barcelona teammate Andreas Christensen lining up at the heart of the Danish defence.