Kylian Mbappe captains France against the Netherlands in their heavyweight Euro 2024 qualifier tonight.
Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema all called it a day after Les Bleus’ defeat in the World Cup final and France are also missing several injured stars.
Christopher Nkunku and Ousmane Dembele are absent from the attack with N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Wesley Fofana, Lucas Hernandez and William Saliba also unavailable.
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Deschamps could therefore end up handing debuts to Jean-Clair Todibo and Khephren Thuram of Nice off the bench tonight while former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba has been competing for a first appearance for the national team.
Despite the upheaval, a strong France lineup is still selected. Mbappe starts with Eintracht Frankurt’s Randal Kolo Muani preferred to Olivier Giroud up front and Kingsley Coman on the opposite flank. Antoine Griezmann starts despite being snubbed as France’s new captain by his coach.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has picked the first squad of his second tenure in charge of the the Oranje.
But it has not been an easy return for the coach after five players dropped out with a virus on Thursday. Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen were sent home with Stefan de Vrij, Ryan Gravenberch and Kjell Scherpen called up in response.
In leaving out Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, the boss indicated a move to a back four as he cited the ex-Celtic player’s inexperience in such a system when making his decision.
Frenkie de Jong is a key absentee through injury and Steven Bergwijn also misses out. Denzel Dumfries is suspended which means a debut for Lutsharel Geertruida.
World Cup goalkeeper Andries Noppert misses out through injury, leading to a tussle between Jasper Cillessen and Mark Flekken of Freiburg for the gloves. Cillessen starts.
France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann, Coman, Mbappe, Kolo Muani
Netherlands XI: Cillessen, Timber, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake, De Roon, Taylor, Wijnaldum, Berghuis, Simons, Depay
