Football
Julien Laurens, Correspondent 6y

France could make six changes to starting XI against Denmark - sources

Didier Deschamps will field a very different France team against Denmark on Tuesday in Moscow, with sources telling ESPN FC the manager is expected to make up to six changes for Les Bleus' final group stage game.

During a Sunday afternoon training session behind closed doors in their camp in Istra, Deschamps worked with a much-changed team to prepare for the clash with Christian Eriksen's side.

Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Kylian Mbappe were all in the substitutes team while Samuel Umtiti, who is nursing a knee problem, trained alone.


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Steve Mandanda, Djibril Sidibe, Presnel Kimpembe, Steven Nzonzi, Thomas Lemar and Ousmane Dembele are all expected to start in their place on Tuesday.

Descamps will keep the 4-4-2 formation that worked well in France's 1-0 victory over Peru in their second group game. At left-back, Lucas Hernandez will keep his place in the team as will Raphael Varane at centre-back and Ngolo Kanté in midfield.

Up front, Antoine Griezmann is still looking to hit top form so he also retains his place as well as Olivier Giroud, who was on the bench against Australia but started against Peru.

This is not the first time Deschamps has shaken up his lineup for the final group game of a tournament. He made six changes between the second and third group stage matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and five at the 2016 European Championships in France.

Les Bleus, who have already qualified for the knockouts, only need a point to secure top spot in Group C.

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