France have a mountain to climb to reach the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals after their 2-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday evening.
Les Bleus slipped to an underwhelming defeat in Split during their quarter-final first leg and now have a two-goal deficit to overturn in Paris on Sunday. Up against an experienced and dogged Croatia side, that will be far from straightforward.
Didier Deschamps is expected to make changes from the side that were beaten during Thursday's encounter and has an array of superstars to call upon across his extremely talented and deep squad.
Here is how France could line up against Croatia.
France predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-2-3-1)
GK: Mike Maignan - Maignan was one of the few to come away from Thursday's defeat with his pride intact, even saving a penalty from Andrej Kramaric with his feet early in the clash.
RB: Jules Kounde - Kounde's Barcelona form wasn't transferred to the international stage on Thursday, with the right-back part of a surprisingly disjointed defensive unit.
CB: Dayot Upamecano - After Ibrahima Konate's horror show in the first leg - gifting Croatia their penalty before being hooked at half-time - Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano should enter the fray for the return fixture.
CB: William Saliba - Arsenal's premier centre-back was uncharacteristically clumsy in Split and was at fault for Ante Budimir's opener as he failed to track the 33-year-old's run. He must improve against the in-form Osasuna forward on Sunday.
LB: Theo Hernandez - Lucas Digne was chosen ahead of Theo Hernandez for the first leg but the energetic Milan left-back should make his comeback at the weekend. Provides some much-needed attacking thrust and has a wicked left foot.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni - The Real Madrid midfielder was deployed as part of a three-man midfield last time out but should make up a double pivot on Sunday.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga - Likely featuring alongside his clubmate in holding midfield, Camavinga could return to the starting lineup after only being used from the bench midweek.
RW: Ousmane Dembele - Paris Saint-Germain's breathless winger looked the most likely to unlock Croatia's defence on Thursday and will be aiming to continue his exceptional goalscoring form in familiar surroundings.
AM: Michael Olise - A potential beneficiary following France's sub-par display during the first leg could be Olise, who was unfortunate not to feature from the start. He should occupy the attacking midfield spot on Sunday.
LW: Kylian Mbappe - Mbappe was utilised as part of an attacking duo alongside Randal Kolo Muani, but failed to deliver in the role and could revert to the left-wing function that has brought him so much success with Les Bleus.
ST: Randal Kolo Muani - Having found his mojo since moving to Juventus on loan, Kolo Muani will return to Paris this weekend. Deschamps needs him to supply greater attacking threat if France are to overturn their first leg deficit.
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