France vs Australia: With Karim Benzema ruled out of the World Cup, France will start Olivier Giroud in the centre of the field. The 36-year-old AC Milan striker has faced criticism in the past, but national coach Didier Deschamps highlights the former Arsenal attacker’s skills.
As a result of Benzema’s injury in France on Saturday, another prominent player was forced to withdraw. Earlier it appeared that midfielders N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba might not be fit for the World Cup, but Deschamps is not concerned that his squad lacks leaders. “I am a leader, and people pay attention to me. There will always be leaders. Every player on the field is a leader in his own right.”
France vs Australia: Deschamps beleieves 25 players are enough
Surprisingly, Deschamps did not call up a substitute after the absence of Benzema. France will begin the World Cup with 25 picked players. “I took this judgement because I believe this group is adequately armed. We used to have 26 people, but now we only have 25. You can switch more frequently, yes, but I believe we have enough possibilities. There will be certain individuals who will not be utilised.”
Giroud had started the World Cup as a late substitute for Benzema. The sturdy veteran lacks the class of the last Ballon d’Or winner, but with 49 goals scored (2 fewer than all-time top goalscorer Thierry Henry), he has already demonstrated that he is there whenever Deschamps wants him. Nonetheless, the 114-time international has faced consistent criticism in France in recent years.
When presented with this information during the news conference, Deschamps had to laugh. “He’s been adored recently!’ Even because of you,” he said to the assembled journalists. “And a lot of you have slammed him!” The national coach, on the other hand, is quite pleased with Giroud. “He is an unquestioned starter. He’s been here for a long time. And even if he does not really score, he’s still valuable because he allows others to score.”
