France-Austria is a fifth Nations League match on Thursday at 20:45
No one expected to see reigning champions France on the brink of relegation to League B with two days to go in the Nations League group stage. A competition that certainly does not have the same appeal as a World Cup or a European Championship and in which, especially after last October’s triumph in the Italian Final Four, it is also logical that motivation may be lacking. But the Bleus, in addition to no longer being able to aspire to first place, even risk making a fool of themselves. In the four matches they played last June, Mbappé and his team-mates did not even get a victory, losing to Denmark (1-2) and Croatia (0-1) in front of their own public and collecting two draws in the Croatian (1-1) and Austrian (1-1) away matches. With such a roster – two points from twelve available – last place with two rounds to go is not surprising.
Before diving headlong into the Qatari adventure – in November’s World Cup the transalpines will have to defend the title they won in 2018 in Russia – Didier Deschamps must limit the damage and avoid relegation. He can achieve this by beating Austria in Saint-Denis and getting a result in Denmark next Sunday. The selection he will have to race against is the one led by former Leipzig and Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick: in June, at the Prater in Vienna, it was the usual Mbappé who took the chestnuts out of the fire for France, scoring the final 1-1 goal in the last ten minutes.
Austria have two more points than France and with a success would be safe. After their 0-3 win in the opener against Croatia, however, Arnautovic and his team-mates failed to win again, losing twice to the Danes and drawing with the Bleus. Rangnick is betting heavily on the Bologna striker, Serie A’s top scorer, while Deschamps is relying on the Milan player Giroud, but will also give space to the young talents Camavinga and Tchouaméni, as well as Kolo Muani and Nkunku. Absent, however, is Theo Hernandez, who returned to Milanello due to an adductor problem. The other unavailable players are Benzema, Pogba, Rabiot, Konate, Kanté, Martial, Coman and Kimpembe.
Andreas Weimann
The Prediction
Are we going to see the disappointing France of June or the team that did not disappoint expectations in the last Nations League Final Four, winning the competition thanks to their innumerable talents? The feeling is that this time the transalpines will not slip up. And against Austria, who in any case will not make an appearance on the night in Saint-Denis, will come the victory that will enable them to avoid relegation. The Bleus defence, however, has always conceded at least one goal in the first four matches of the round: it cannot be ruled out that the Austrians – as in the first leg – will manage to score at least one goal.
France v Austria: the likely line-up
- FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Pavard, Koundé, Varane, Mendy; Guendouzi, Tchouaméni; Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud.
- AUSTRIA (4-4-2): Lindner; Lainer, Danso, Alaba, Trimmel; Sabitzer, Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Arnautovic, Gregoritsch.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
