French sports publication L’Équipe expects France coach Didier Deschamps to name an unchanged line-up for the Euro 2016 final.
If the paper is right, that would mean Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kanté is left on the bench once more, with Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko starting in midfield.
22-year-old centre-back Samuel Umtiti is also expected to keep his place, after replacing Adil Rami for the quarter-final and semi-final victories.
Les Bleus go into the final against Portugal as slight favourites, with most bookmakers pricing Deschamps’ team at 11/10 and Portugal generally 10/3 or longer.
The anticipated selection has drawn a mixed response.
Fans of the Magpies seem stunned that a player who so frequently flattered to deceive in the North East has impressed so much for his country.
https://twitter.com/VitalNewcastle/status/751943640889556992
Yes Sissoko played well against the jormans. Played well against Spurs too. Where was against Villa away or in the derbies? No heart. Sell.
— Dale (@dc_nufc_84) July 9, 2016
But others can understand Deschamps’ selection.
Moussa Sissoko & Samuel Umtiti are expected to keep their places in #FRA's starting XI. N'Golo Kante on bench. Right decision IMO. #PORFRA
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) July 10, 2016
The last two games gave seen France put in more convincing performances than they achieved in any of their three group stage outings, with Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Germany coming off the back of a 5-2 demolition of Iceland.
Les Bleus had left it late for their two group stage victories at the start of the tournament, before a goalless draw with Switzerland and a nervy come-from-behind victory over Ireland in the last 16.
Will Deschamps’ setup work out again? We’ll find out in Paris tonight.
