Giroud played yesterday, so maybe he actually will play this tournament as well. In that case, Deschamps' love of target man will probably be the downfall of this team. By playing Giroud, he basically has to play two better strikers (Mbappe and Griezmann) out wide, and in doing show push Thauvin, Lemar, Fekir and Dembele (all better than Giroud) further behind in the pecking order.

Giroud has generally rewarded France for picking him.

It's not their quality that is the problem, Giroud or no. It's their bottle.

He generally rewarded us for picking him as well, but we replaced him with someone better.

Looks like France going with fluid attack of Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele. Very exciting on paper.

Come on Aussies!!!

Is there anyone worth keeping an eye on in the Aussie team?

Allez les bleus!

"Allons enfants de la Patrie................. 

on paper, this shouldnt even be close...

Mirth wrote:

Is there anyone worth keeping an eye on in the Aussie team?

Rogic and Nabbout will interest some mid table PL clubs.

Other than that, Tim Cahill at 39 is still one of their best players.

Knew France would go with Dembele, Greizmann and Mbappé. Very exciting trio, hopefully they can make it work.

This France team looks super-exciting on paper.

Only player missing from that french team is Rabiot, potential in every position.

Jedinak wasn't messing around in winning that first header against Pogba!

Anyone else think the French midfield is a little too defensive minded?

No.

Their front three is as attacking as it gets and Pogba has plenty of offensive ability in midfield.

Think it's nicely balanced.

Depends how they're trying to play. It lacks someone to control the game, but if they can just get the ball forward quickly to the three up front then that might be enough.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Depends how they're trying to play. It lacks someone to control the game, but if they can just get the ball forward quickly to the three up front then that might be enough.

Yeah, I think that's what I meant. They're missing someone who can control the tempo - still they don't really need someone like that against Australia

I agree. Against Spain, for example, they could be in big trouble. They'd get run rings around.

Making Mbappé the focal point of this team is a move I didn't think Deschamps was a clever enough coach to make.

I think they're only a player of real character and experience in midfield away from being right up there for this tournament.

This game needs Australia to score first.
Very scrappy so far.