France begins their Nations League title defense against spirited Denmark in the Group A fixture at home. Belgium and the Netherlands are the other nations in this group.
Les Blues defeated Spain 2-1 in an enthralling final in 2021 to lift the trophy while the Danish Dynamites failed to get out of their group in the previous season.
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Match Details
Date: Friday, 3rd June 2022/ Saturday, 4th June 2022
Time: 20:45 (CEST)/ 00:15 (IST)
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Match Preview
France will take on Denmark without their head coach, Didier Deschamps who had to leave the camp due to the passing of his father. Assistant manager Guy Stephan is in charge of the game to help the team maintain their incredible unbeaten streak. Les Blues haven’t lost a game since a 2-0 loss to Turkey in the Euro qualifiers in June 2019. The last seven games have ended on a winning note which includes the playoff of the last Nations League campaign. Keeping aside their disappointment in the last 16 stages of the Euros, France have been a dominant force throughout. Their speculative form makes them a firm favourite for this season’s silverware too. However, they cannot be complacent like last summer in this group that contains opposition with credible challenges. Denmark has already proven their worth with Croatia, whom they play twice in this month, are persistent with their threats. The Austrians are maybe the weakest ones in this lot but can cause tricky situations for others. If France manages to top the group at the end of September, it will be a massive boost for them before they travel to Qatar to defend their World Cup crown. For now, their aim is to keep out a team continuing to make their main man the face of the side.
Kasper Hjulmand’s men have been the most fearless side in their recent showings. The kind of character they have put in from the Euros since their talisman Christian Eriksen suffered the heart-wrenching incident is indescribable. Now with the playmaker back fit and healthy and showering his usual magic for his nation, Denmark have been sensational. They have won seven of their nine games since their semifinal finish at the Euros but didn’t lose a game when they secured qualification to the World Cup. Also, Eriksen have scored twice in the two friendlies in March since his return to the national side. It’s a feel-good factor for the Danish Dynamite. This is their main motivation to do well in a tough group and the world champion to face in the opening game itself. Denmark wishes to reach the playoff round after failing to do the last term, finishing behind Belgium in Group B. Their might will be tasted this season too with Croatia and Austria, twice, to face after France on Friday. However, their journey itself is the friend that is supporting them.
Recent Form
France: WWWWW
Denmark: WLLWW
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Team News
Manchester United confirmed Paul Pogba is leaving the club this summer but the midfielder won’t be part of international duties due to his calf injury towards the end of the club season. In place of him, Real Madrid and PSG linked Aurelien Tchouameni could partner N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park. Aston Villa bound Boubacar Kamara could earn his first cap in his debut call up to the national team.
Captain Simon Kjaer remain absent for Denmark with his ligament injury sustained last year. There are no other issues in Kasper Hjulmand’s camp.
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Expected Lineups
France: Hugo Lloris; Presnel Kimpembe, Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez; Benjamin Pavard, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Theo Hernandez; Antoinne Griezmann; Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe
Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel; Daniel Wass, Andreas Christensen, Jannick Vestergaard, Joachim Maehle; Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen; Skov olsen, Kasper Dolberg, Youssuf Poulsen
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Head to Head
These two haven’t fought each other after the 0-0 draw they played in the group stages of the 2018 World cup. It was an insignificant game in the tournament with both already secured qualification at that moment. The two friendlies prior have fallen into France’s favour including a 2-0 win for Les Blues in the last meet at home back in 2015.
FRA vs DEN UEFA Nations League 2022-23 Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lloris (8.5)
DEF: Kimpembe (8.5), Christensen (8.5), Varane (8.5), Maehle (9)
MID: Griezmann (9.5), Hojbjerg (9), Tchouameni (8), Eriksen (9)
FW: Benzema (10.5), Mbappe (10.5)
Captain: Kylian Mbappe
Vice-captain: Christian Eriksen
