The Didier Deschamps era draws to a close in Miami on Saturday.
The Didier Deschamps era had been expected to conclude after Sunday’s showpiece event, given France’s level of performance in North America this summer, but La Roja expertly brought France is thus participating in what’s often the most forgotten contest of the tournament.
It hasn’t been involved in the third-place playoff since 1986, when neighbor Belgium was defeated 4–2 after extra time. While Saturday‘s match won’t mean all that much for so many, it’s a significant occasion for Deschamps. He’s taking charge of the national team for the 187th and final time, and his players will want to ensure his reign ends with a 122nd victory.
—We’ve got to expect the manager to rotate from the disappointing semifinal defeat and offer starts to fringe roster members on Saturday. So, reserve goalkeeper Samba could start in place of Mike Maignan. —Malo Gusto is an option off the bench, and the Chelsea man will surely earn minutes at some point. If Deschamps doesn’t opt for wholesale rotation, Koundé may retain his place at right back.
—Real Madrid’s newest center back hasn’t had much of a look-in this summer, so Konaté could make his first start of the tournament in place of former RB Leipzig teammate Dayot Upamecano. —Lucas Digne struggled mightily with and without the ball in Dallas, so it’d be a surprise if the initial starting left back wasn’t brought back in here.
—While Koné failed to offer a spark off the bench last time out, his omission from the starting lineup was incredibly harsh and one of several decisions Deschamps got wrong against Spain. —It would be fitting for Adrien Rabiot to start the departing manager‘s final game at the helm, but we don’t need to see him in Miami. Warren Zaïre-Emery has been underused this summer, and he deserves a start in France’s engine room.
, failed to show up for the semifinal. Still, that performance shouldn’t cloud his excellent tournament, and he’ll be motivated to perform against the country of his birth on Saturday. —Olise’s form has seen Cherki sidelined for much of the World Cup, but the Manchester City playmaker is primed for a first World Cup start against several of his Cityzens teammates in Miami.
—Deschamps has diplomatically selected between Doué and Bradley Barcola down the left all tournament, and the former probably should’ve gotten the nod in Dallas. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FCJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back.
Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
France vs. England Bronze Final preview: Will stars play in third-place game?France and England missed the World Cup Final, but one more match remains. The Bronze Final brings two heavyweight teams, several Golden Boot contenders and real rotation questions to Miami.
Read more »
France vs. England Opening Odds for World Cup 3rd Place Match (France Heavily Favored)Before the World Cup Final on Sunday, France and England will face off in the third-place match on Saturday, in what should be an exciting matchup between two s
Read more »
Ticket prices drop fast for France-England World Cup third place matchMbappé and Kane will duke it out at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, July 18.
Read more »
World Cup Third-Place Match and Final Preview: Spain vs Argentina, France vs EnglandThe 2023 World Cup concludes with the third-place match between France and England, and the final between Spain and Argentina. The article previews these final games, highlighting key storylines such as Spain's quest for a second star, Argentina's chance to repeat as champions, Messi's potential final World Cup appearance, and France's coaching change. It also notes the physical toll of the tournament and the relatively modest financial incentive for third versus fourth place.
Read more »