France vs Netherlands 10/09/18

10 September 2018

France will host the Netherlands at the Stade de France in Paris, in the second-round encounter of the UEFA Nations League Group A/1 following a scoreless 0-0 draw with Germany in Munchen back on Friday.

Les Bleus failed to demonstrate the same hunger and desire for victory against Die Mannschaft as they did in Russia when they lifted the World Cup trophy, with Didier Deschamps seems quite unable to appropriately motivate the team that conquered the most prominent FIFA tournament not so long ago. After a level first half, France found themselves under siege in the second period, barely managing to avoid defeat mainly thanks to Alphonse Areola’s outstanding series of saves. Therefore, the former Marseille manager urges his players to show more determination and put more effort against the struggling visiting side that are yet to find the right balance.

Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman has succeeded in ending his team’s two-game winless streak after clinching a 2-1 triumph over Peru in a friendly match that saw the Oranje coming back from a goal down thanks to a second-half brace from Memphis Depay. Still, in the last four meetings with Deschamps’ crew, Holland have suffered four defeats, and the former Everton boss frantically tries to put an end to that nightmarish streak.

Due to a lack of another true No. 9, Olivier Giroud should start from the first minute alongside the likes of Griezmann and Mbappe despite under performing against Germany, while Ousmane Dembele could replace Blaise Matuidi, who also failed to live up to expectations. As for the Dutch side, pretty much the same starting eleven that faced Peru should be the one to take the field in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.