France - Hosts hoping to relive past glories

France 

 Les Blues are the organizers of the tournament, and they must feel they have a lot to prove. After disastrous campaigns, where the happenings off field were much more noticeable that their play, the world cup in Brazil has shown us some glimpses of what they are able.

 After two years preparing for the tournament, France will hope to repeat the world cup in 1998 or the 84’ Euro. And the expectation is perfectly justified

How they qualified

Direct qualification due to Host status.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Benoit Costil (Rennes), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille).

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Roma), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Samuel Umtiti (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Adil Rami (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United), N'Golo Kante (Leicester City), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St-Germain), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United).

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

Paul Pogba

Club : Juventus (ITA)

Age : 23 years

From early his potential was recognized and Pogba was labelled as one of the most promising players of his generation. In 2009 Sir Alex made sure he wouldn’t lose this talent, making a move for the young 16-year old, but this one that wasn’t meant to be. Fergie tried the same formula he had success with, progressively introducing Paul Pogba to first-team football. But it was to slow for the kid, who wanted to be a star of a team.

 Juventus waved the possibility and since arriving in Turin, Pogba confirmed everything and more about him. A great physical presence, with fantastic technique, if France will do well, he’ll be involved.

N’Golo Kanté

Club : Leicester (ENG)

Age : 25 years

“Earth is 70% covered by water. The rest is N’Golo Kanté”. A perfect sentence to describe one of the pillars of Leicester fantastic campaign in the Premier League. Like an army ant, he’s everywhere, before everyone, using all his lungs to never lose oxygen, tackling, winning the ball, and let it playable for the creative teammates. Will be the perfect pair to Pogba in France’s midfield.

Didier Deschamps

A fantastic player, used to the great stages, won everything possible for club and nation. He started his managerial career in Monaco, and in 2004 he guided them to Champions League final.

Was appointed national manager after the Euro 2012 and did an ok campaign in Brazil. He’s been trying to rejuvenate the team, and has the advantage of the experience he had in 1998 to pass on to his players

What to expect from them?

Deschamps will stay faithful to the tactic that has been successful in France for the last years, deploying a very dangerous and offensive 4-3-3. With youth and great quality in the attack, is the defensive problems that might scare France, as they’ll have to be more solid in the latter stages.

 Injuries haven’t helped the French, that will be in their tournament with a different backline than they would have hoped, but that should be enough to win their group. And after that, playing for their fans will be a big help.

FIL's Starting XI prediction