DOHA: All eyes will be on it Kylian Mbappe again when France take on England in a delicious World Cup quarter-final, but the defending champions must hope their lack of options will not be revealed by the bench on Saturday.
Les Bleus, who are aiming to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil 1958-1962, were hit hard by injuries ahead of the tournament, with midfielders Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante and striker Karim Benzema out.
Mbappe has caught fire in Qatar with five goals and two assists while Olivier Giroud has three goals but they are yet to face a world-class side.
After victories against Australia and Denmark in their first two games, the French fringe did not cover themselves in glory as they completed the group with a 1-0 defeat by Tunisia.
Didier Deschamps’ starting XI boasts fearsome firepower in the form of Mbappe, Giroud and Ousmane Dembele, while Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni have proven extremely reliable in midfield.
Antoine Griezmann was the perfect link between the lines.
On the other hand, France has problems at the back.
Jules Kounde is not a natural right-back and left-back Theo Hernandez is more forward-looking which could cause problems if he is held back by England’s attacks.
Rabiot is aware of England’s danger in wide areas but predicted they could be more cautious than in previous games.
“They have players who are quick on the wings, full-backs who are very attacking,” he added.
“They won’t take all the risks because we can also hurt them on the flanks.”
WALKER vs MBAPPE
One of the strengths that emerged during the tournament is England’s depth.
Manager Gareth Southgate was able to mix his midfield and wingers more than in previous tournaments and almost all of them delivered.
Her tally of 12 goals – which equals her World Cup best from three other games in 2018 – was scored by eight players.
Harry Kane, the tournament’s top scorer in 2018, scored just one goal in Qatar but he has become a dangerous provider with three assists and appeared strong in England’s last-16 win over Senegal.
Jude Bellingham has established himself as a driving force in midfield and plays with a confidence well beyond his 19 years.
Having proven Premier League players like Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling coming on from the bench brings fresh legs and other challenges to tiring opposing defenders.
While goalscorers make the headlines, Southgate made sure to compliment his defenders after 16 games as his side kept a third consecutive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years.
Harry Maguire and John Stones will enjoy Giroud’s more traditional challenge but the key battle could be between one of the tournament’s fastest defenders and fastest attacker – Kyle Walker vs. Mbappe.
The Frenchman was in full swing in Qatar while Walker appears to be returning to sharpness after undergoing surgery on a groin injury in October.
One thing that should go without saying is that after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 final, England won’t be overwhelmed by the occasion.
“As a team in Russia, we were a bit inexperienced in big games. We got to the semifinals, we scored early and didn’t know how to deal with it,” Walker said. “We are better prepared now. ”
