Norway-France is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Sunday at 20:45: news, formations and predictions.
Qualification for the knockout phase is now on the wane for France, who are fresh from a nail-biting 2-1 victory in their Group D clash against Paolo Nicolato’s Italy. The transalpines, last Thursday, only needed goals from Kalimuendo and Barcola to prevail over the Azzurrini, who, after having gone into a disadvantage, had managed to equalise almost immediately thanks to a goal from Pellegri.
Selector Sylvain Ripoll, however, cannot be satisfied with the performance of his men, as Italy deserved at least a draw. And if it did not come, the responsibility lies solely with the absence – inconceivable, in such an important event – of technology. The Azzurrini, in fact, were denied a penalty for an obvious hand foul by Kalulu and in the final the Dutch referee Lindhout did not validate a clamorous phantom goal that Goal Line Technology, had it been in place, would certainly have detected. In any case, France are ‘thankful’ and are one step away from the quarter-finals: having overcome the most complicated obstacle, they only need to win against Norway to be almost certain of a pass to the next stage. A qualification that would also arrive with a round in advance if Italy, a few hours before, clashes with Switzerland.
As for the Scandinavians, on the other hand, even a draw might be insufficient after the painful knockout on matchday one.
Ceide
Leif Gunnar Smerud’s men against Switzerland confirmed that they had not solved their problems in the non-possession phase of the ball, which had emerged during the last friendly matches. Norway had taken the lead with a goal from Sassuolo centre forward Ceide, but between the end of the first and the beginning of the second half they were caught up. It is now five games without a win between official matches and friendlies
The prediction
France were not flawless against Italy, repeatedly risking a 2-2 draw and showing some defensive problems. They should get a more comfortable victory against Norway, who already look doomed after their opening-day defeat to Switzerland. The total goals will most likely be at least three.
Norway v France official lineups
- NORWAY U21 (4-3-3): Hedensted; Sebulonsen, Daland, Heggheim, Wolfe; Hove, Mannsverk, Zafeiris; Bobb, Botheim, Ceide.
- FRANCE U21 (4-3-3): Chevalier; Kalulu, Simakan, Lukeba, Nkounkou; Kone, Thuram, Caqueret; Barcola, Kalimuendo, Gouiri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
