LIVE - League of Nations: follow the France-Croatia match

LIVE

It's a hot poster… on paper.

The France team faces Croatia on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the second day of the League of Nations, for a revenge of the 2018 World Cup final, won (it should be remembered) by the Blues.

But between the absences of several stars on both sides, Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modric in the lead, and a Stade de France behind closed doors due to the pandemic, this shock could well lose its flavor.

Anyway, the world champions will be keen to chain a second victory, after an inglorious success in Sweden on Saturday night (1-0).

Follow this France-Croatia shock live on Europe1.fr.

FRANCE - CROATIA: kick off at 8:45 p.m.

Update on Croatia: a team that has changed significantly compared to 2018.

Croatia will not have much to do with the formidable team of the 2018 World Cup, which gave the Blues a hard time in the final.

The two stars of the selection, the 30-something Modric (Ballon d'Or 2018) and Rakitic, have been left to rest, while goalkeeper Subasic and striker Mandzukic have retired internationally.

Without them, the Croats were swept away Saturday night in Portugal (4-1), and clearly seem to be losing ground.

But beware, there are still great ball players, such as winger Perisic, recently winner of the Champions League with Bayern Munich, or attacking midfielder Kovacic, who plays for Chelsea. 

Croatian

roster

Livakovic - Uremovic, Lovren, Caleta-Car, Melnjac - Kovacic, Brozovic, Vlasic - Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic (cap.)

Breeder: Zlatko Dalic

Update on the line-up: seven changes compared to Saturday, Nzonzi and Sissoko holders.

As expected, Didier Deschamps conducts a large workforce review, with seven changes from the victorious team in Sweden but still a 3-5-2 pattern.

Lenglet and Hernandez will start in central defense, while Nzonzi replaces Rabiot alongside Kanté.

Note that Sissoko holds the right piston, and Ferland Mendy on the left.

Finally, Griezmann will support a new attacking duo made up of Ben Yedder and Martial. 

The composition of France:

Lloris (cap.) - Upamecano, Lenglet, Hernandez - Sissoko, Kanté, Nzonzi, F. Mendy - Griezmann - Ben Yedder, Martial

Breeder: Didier Deschamps

The symbolic point: a remake of the World Cup final ... without spectators.

The evening poster offers in any case an enticing menu, a revenge between the tricolor world champions and their Croatian victims of July 15, 2018, in Moscow (4-2).

But this reunion takes place without the slightest spectator at the Stade de France, the meeting being behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

Obviously disappointing ... 

First time in over 18 years that I will not attend a @ equipedefrance match at @StadeFrance tonight.

Life resumes and adapts to the pandemic but it is bland without being able to live its passion.

I miss you @IF_Supporters, @FLOSOULEZ and @ FFFpic.twitter.com / 4PcoELLBuD

- Fabien ⭐️⭐️ (@ F13IEN) September 8, 2020

Update on the issue: winning… and playing well.

The France team got off to a good start in the League of Nations with a 1-0 victory in Sweden on Saturday night, on a (lucky) goal from Mbappé.

But, if the Blues obviously want to continue with a new success, they will especially have to raise their level after a very dull match on Swedish soil.

Because apart from the flash of the star of PSG, we had not seen much on Saturday night.

We hope to see another show tonight! 

The coronavirus point: Mbappé positive and package.

The Blues will not be able to count on Kylian Mbappé, tested positive for the coronavirus and of course forfeit.

This announcement, Monday evening, caused a mini-diplomatic crisis with PSG, Parisian sports director Leonardo saying he was furious to learn the news from the media.

He is the fourth player of the France team to be withdrawn after a positive test, after Pogba, Aouar and Mandanda.