The Blues' attack on Europe begins as Didier Deschamps' squad initiates their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria this Monday in Düsseldorf. The highly-anticipated match kicks off at 9 p.m. and will be broadcast on TF1 and beIN SPORT. The French team is situated in Group D and has a busy schedule ahead, with matches against the Netherlands in Leipzig next Friday and Poland on June 25 in Dortmund.
The historical record between France and Austria tilts in favor of the Tricolores, with 13 victories, nine defeats, and three draws over 25 encounters. Notably, in the only two final-phase clashes of major international competitions, Austria eliminated France during the 1934 World Cup, while Michel Platini's team countered this by winning a group stage match in the 1982 World Cup. In more recent contexts, Kylian Mbappé secured a draw in Vienna with a late goal in June 2022, and France subsequently won in Saint-Denis with goals from both Mbappé and Olivier Giroud.
Heading into Euro 2024, France harbors ambitions of clinching the title, much like other prominent teams such as England, Portugal, and Germany. Despite certain doubts due to injuries and team structure, the French squad's collective experience and inherent talent make them formidable contenders. Under Didier Deschamps' leadership, the French team has consistently performed well in first matches of major tournaments, winning against notable teams like Germany in Euro 2020 and opening games in previous World Cups.
Deschamps' probable starting eleven for the match against Austria includes Mike Maignan as the goalkeeper, with Théo Hernandez and Jules Koundé on the sides. The central defense is expected to feature Dayot Upamecano, likely partnered with William Saliba. Midfield duties appear to be slated for N'Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, and Antoine Griezmann, while the forward attack will be spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Marcus Thuram.
Austria may not be among the favorites to win the tournament, but they are not to be underestimated. Ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings, they finished second in their qualifying group and have shown resilience in recent performances against top teams like Belgium. Key players include Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, and Christoph Baumgartner, although they will miss the influence of the injured David Alaba.
- The final training session of the Blues took place on Sunday under heavy showers at one of Fortuna Düsseldorf fields, with a more defined tactical strategy coming to light. This tactical setup confirmed the presence of William Saliba among the starters. Having had a significant season with Arsenal, Saliba displayed promise in a recent friendly against Canada and is set to begin the Euro 2024 journey as a key player.
- Adrien Rabiot's inclusion in the midfield next to N'Golo Kanté and Antoine Griezmann has been supported by his positive contributions during training sessions. Despite his recent calf pain, Rabiot's experience and ability to offset a forward-leaning team strategy earned him a place among the starters.
- The attacking lineup, led by Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram, and Ousmane Dembélé, remains consistent, ready to challenge the Austrian defense. Potential alternatives, such as Aurélien Tchouameni, who returned to training post-injury, will be prepared to step in as necessary.
