With Key Injuries and Mixed Form, Didier Deschamps Must Balance Experience and Youth
France, the reigning World Cup champions, are entering the 2022 tournament with an impressive roster but vulnerabilities that have surfaced in their recent performances. Despite an unbeaten 2021, which culminated in a Nations League victory over Spain, their 2022 Nations League campaign has been underwhelming, with only one win in six matches against relatively moderate teams such as Croatia, Austria, and Denmark.
As France prepares to face Denmark, Australia, and Tunisia in Group D, they should be considered favorites to win the group. However, the Danes will enter the match with confidence after their 2-0 victory over France in Copenhagen last month, while Australia and Tunisia, having qualified via play-offs, will approach the tournament with nothing to lose.
The French squad has evolved since their 2018 World Cup victory, and the absence of key players such as Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema due to injuries presents a significant challenge. Manager Didier Deschamps faces the task of striking the right balance between veteran experience and the new talent emerging in his squad. In their recent loss to Denmark, young Real Madrid players Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni started together, and Deschamps must now decide whether to continue relying on them or bring in more experienced players. Deschamps remains confident that the return of seasoned international players will bolster the team as they head into the tournament.
