After kicking off our Euro 2016 team analysis coverage with a look at Albania yesterday, we focus our attentions on hosts France. Didier Deschamps’ side get the tournament up and running on Friday June 10 with a clash against Romania at 8pm before squaring up to Albania four days later at 8pm and concluding their Group A involvement by going up against Switzerland on June 19 at 8pm.
Recent Friendlies
The hosts approach the tournament in fine fettle, having won seven of their previous eight friendlies. Included in that run are triumphs over the likes of Portugal, Serbia, Germany, Holland and Russia, with a 2-0 loss at Wembley the only setback.
Deschamps’ side have found the net at least twice in six of those eight occasions, though have been less convincing at the back and mustered just three clean sheets, which includes a 4-0 win over minnows Armenia.
Most Appearances Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann (8), Blaise Matuidi, Olivier Giroud, Anthony Martial (7), Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, Moussa Sissoko, Paul Pogba, Morgan Schneiderlin (6), Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye, Lassana Diarra (5), Laurent Koscielny, Andre Pierre Gignac (4)
Most goals Olivier Giroud (5), Blaise Matuidi (3), Andre Pierre Gignac, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann (2)
Most assists Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial (4), Blaise Matuidi, Bacary Sagna (2)
The Key Targets
Given that Albania and Romania, in particular, have failed to impress in the final third, France will be confident of picking up a couple of clean sheets over the initial group stages.
As the only player to start each of his nation’s last eight friendlies, Raphael Varane is priced higher (6.5) than any of his defensive team-mates in the official Uefa game but the Real Madrid man’s thigh injury absence bring cheaper options to the fore. Whilst Laurent Koscielny (6.0) was expected to start regardless of Varane’s availability, the likes of Eliaquim Mangala (5.0) or Jeremy Mathieu (4.5) now have the chance to battle it out for the other central defensive berth.
Such a scenario diminishes the appeal of full-backs Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna at 6.0 apiece, though the City man has chipped in with a couple of assists in recent outings.
Deschamps is expected to set his side up in a 4-3-3 set-up, with Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba nailed-on in the centre of the park. Priced at 7.0 in Uefa, the former produced three goals and two assists over those featured friendlies and his all-action style of play should help pick up the Draft Kings points for crosses and successful tackles.
Pogba, meanwhile, rolls up on the back of eight strikes and 12 assists for Juventus in 2015/16. Despite failing to play a part in any of France’s goals, he remains a very viable option at 8.5 in Uefa and still managed more attempts than Matuidi during the featured period.
Anthony Martial looks to have cemented a role on the left in recent matches. Listed as a midfielder in the Uefa game, he’s the priciest option in the centre of the park amongst Deschamps’ charges and sets you back 9.0 – the United man did provide four assists, though.
Antoine Griezmann is Deschamps’ preferred pick on the right flank, though his classification as a forward in the Uefa game is frustrating. Costing 10.0, he bagged two goals and four assists in the last eight and is also France’s main man for dead-ball duties, particularly when Dimitri Payet is not on the pitch.
Up top, Olivier Giroud (8.5 in Uefa) is favourite to be handed the lone striker berth in light of Karim Benzema’s enforced absence. The Arsenal frontman appeared in all seven of France’s recent friendlies and produced more goals (five) and attempts on goal than any team-mate.
The Long Shots
The France boss has a number of quality options at his disposal should he opt to chop and change his selections.
It seems odd to classify Dimitri Payet as a punt but with one start out of the last eight friendlies, the West Ham playmaker is far from a secure pick. Nonetheless, Payet still bagged a goal and assist in two recent appearances, whilst he’s also afforded a fair share of corners and free kicks when on the pitch. At 8.0, though, he’s perhaps too pricey a gamble for many.
Lassana Diarra and N’Golo Kante are likely to battle it out for the final central midfield berth. Although their Uefa prices (6.0 and 5.5 respectively) are relatively kind, the pair may offer more appeal in the Draft Kings game, which rewards defensive actions such as successful tackles and interceptions.
Bayern’s Kingsley Coman was a late addition to the fold. Handed his debut in November, the on-loan Juventus wide man may have to rely on minutes off the bench but is versatile enough to play on either flank and, at just 6.5, is joint-top for assists in this season’s Champions League. Coman’s pace and ability to draw fouls against tiring defences could boost his points potential in the Draft Kings game.
Andre Pierre Gignac is likely to play second fiddle to Giroud but should still earn minutes off the bench. Like Coman, he could feasibly start the last group match against the Swiss if France secure their passage to the knockout stages after the first two rounds of fixtures. Gignac has been named in the provisional squad but has yet to be added to the Uefa game.
Upcoming Friendlies
France versus Cameroon (May 30), France versus Scotland (June 4)
Further Analysis
Group A – Albania
