In Copenhagen, the French world champions have an image to take care of, a status to enforce and an unworthy relegation to the second division to avoid in this friendly competition.

To save themselves from torment, they must beat the Red and Whites in a sold-out Parken (36,000 spectators), nearly five months after failing in Saint-Denis (2-1 defeat).

Otherwise, we will have to cross our fingers that Austria does not win against Croatia at the same time.

The misstep against the band of Christian Eriksen, at the beginning of June, had launched a laborious rally, without any victory and with individuals in difficulty.

The return to school in September was more exciting with a late but undeniable success Thursday against the Austrians (2-0).

"The fact that there is not a climate of euphoria either allows us to have had this reaction (against Austria), this solidarity, this collective strength. We must continue on this", pleaded Raphaël Varane, captain in the absence of Hugo Lloris.

"Playing cards"

The collective slider has clearly moved upwards, thanks to a solid performance from executives Varane and Kylian Mbappé, the eternal ghost Olivier Giroud and the newcomers Benoît Badiashile and Youssouf Fofana.

Fofana, in particular, showed no apprehension and displayed a certain solidity, as well as a welcome complementarity with Tchouaméni, his former midfield partner in Monaco.

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“The coach told us that we had already played together and that he was simply waiting for this double pivot, a midfielder who rises and the other who remains for balance. We have done it many times with Aurélien so it It's quite natural," commented the 23-year-old midfielder.

The Monegasque is one of the less capped players with a "card to play" on this course, as he readily admits.

"It's not stupid at all" to think of the World Cup, but "I already see the prospect of Sunday, we will have to win in Copenhagen", he cautiously advanced.

The midfielder hopes to embed himself in the tricolor landscape and sweep away the reasons for his arrival, linked to the absences of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté.

Deschamps has never had so many injuries to deplore: Lloris, Presnel Kimpembe, the brothers Theo and Lucas Hernandez, Kingsley Coman and Karim Benzema ... And lightning also fell Thursday on Jules Koundé (thigh), package Sunday like Mike Maignan (calf) who was replaced by Steve Mandanda.

Dembele uncertain

Ousmane Dembélé, embarrassed by a calf, trained separately on Saturday and remains uncertain.

The coach promised "changes", without further details.

The novices (Badiashile, Fofana, Randal Kolo Muani...) or returning from September (Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga) will want to show themselves, with the hope of snatching a place in the list for the World Cup, expected in the week of November 7 to 13.

Olivier Giroud is also in the starting blocks, even if Deschamps blows hot and cold around the soon-to-be 36-year-old striker.

Before dreaming of the World Cup, the AC Milan center-forward is aiming for Thierry Henry's record (51 goals), which he is approaching by two units.

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In Copenhagen, the shock looks tense.

"There is a collective strength that emanates from this team, with a lot of aggression. She is there, in front of her audience, with the possibility of being qualified for + Final 4 +", warned Deschamps.

"Of course we have respect for the world champions, but we have shown that on a good day we can beat them," said Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, a surprise semi-finalist at the last Euro.

After the observation round on Sunday, the two teams will meet again on November 26 in Doha for their second match of the World Cup.

© 2022 AFP