World Cup Group C updates from the 4pm BST kick-offJedinak’s penalty earns Australia draw against DenmarkAnd feel free to email Paul or tweet @paul_doyle 2.59pm BST France: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Pogba, Kanté; Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi; GiroudSubs: Mandanda, Areola, Sidibé, Rami, Mendy, Kimpembe, Nzonzi, Tolisso, Lemar, Fekir, Dembélé, Thauvin 1.40pm BST Hello and welcome to a critical clash in Group C. Peru were thrilling in their first match but lost; France were moribund but won; the upshot is that Peru cannot afford another defeat, otherwise they, their dapper kit and their tens of thousands of uproarious fans will be buckling their swash, packing their bags and taking the first flight home after the group stages while France head for the last 16. But Ricardo Gareca’s team aren’t going to let that happen, at least not without a fight. Will France be up for it? No one knows, not even Didier Deschamps.Six years into his reign, France’s manager has yet to make a proper team from lavish raw materials. He has chopped and changed like a plastic surgeon in Hollywood but still not found a satisfactory shape or a consistent level of performance. Worse, his team were sluggish and clueless against Australia, unwilling or unable to press for the ball and unsure of what to do with it if they got it. Pound for pound, France might have been the most lamentable team in the tournament so far (although Uruguay were atrocious yesterday). If they do not improve, they may not make it out of their group, let alone make off with the trophy. Deschamps has tried to stimulate an upswing today by altering personnel and formation. Olivier Giroud starts as a fulcrum up front and Blaise Matuidi comes into midfield, where he is expected to provide balance and thrust. That’s all very well but Deschamps also has to get his players to take better decisions and show more gumption all round, especially if Peru play with the same vibrancy they showed in their opening game. The long and short of it is: let’s be having you! Continue reading…
Via: France v Peru: World Cup 2018 – live!
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