Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP)
Didier Deschamps chose to start attackers Karim Benzema and Anthony Martial against Finland on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) in qualifying for the World Cup-2022 in Lyon, where left side Theo Hernandez is playing his first match for the France team.
The Blues, hooked Saturday in Ukraine (1-1), evolve in a different tactical scheme with three central defenders: Raphaël Varane, Kurt Zouma and Presnel Kimpembe.
The sides are occupied by the captain of the Olympique Lyonnais Léo Dubois, on the right, and the left-back of the AC Milan Theo Hernandez, brother of the world champion Lucas, called in September for the first time in selection.
It was not used in Kiev or Strasbourg last week in the draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-1).
Defender Théo Hernandez, during training, September 2, 2021 at the Stade de La Meinau, before the match of France against Ukraine, counting for the qualifications for the World Cup-2022 in Qatar SEBASTIEN BOZON AFP / Archives
Paul Pogba and Adrien Rabiot occupy the midfield, behind the leader Antoine Griezmann.
The latter is responsible for feeding the attacking duo formed by Martial and Benzema, back in his hometown of Lyon where he played until 2009 and his departure for Real Madrid.
Kingsley Coman, hit in a calf, withdrew at the last minute for the meeting and left the group in the afternoon, AFP learned from the management of the Blues.
Suspended Saturday during the success against Kazakhstan (1-0), midfielder Glen Kamara is back in the Finnish starting "eleven" led by strikers Joel Pohjanpalo and Teemu Pukki.
France: Lloris (cap) - Zouma, Varane, Kimpembe - Dubois, Pogba, Rabiot, T. Hernandez - Griezmann - Martial, Benzema.
Coach: Didier Deschamps.
Finland: Hradecky - Alho, Väisänen, Arajuuri (cap), O'Shaughnessy, Uronen - Kamara, Schüller, Nissilä - Pukki, Pohjanpalo.
Coach: Markku Kanerva.
© 2021 AFP