Euro 2024 Qualifier Preview: France -v- Ireland

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FRANCE

Didier Deschamps is aware that his side must improve from their last game against Ireland if they are to win at the Parc des Princes tonight (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

France edged out Ireland by a single goal in March – but it could have been different if Nathan Collins’ late header beat goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

And with qualification almost secured for the French, Deschamps is ‘pragmatic’ about the situation his side are in.

“I've already experienced situations with almost, it's not qualified,” he said. “I am pragmatic and factual, the players are aware of that too.

“If that's enough, that's enough, but let's take the points."

“The game in Dublin was complicated, we had played three days before against the Netherlands, and Ireland had played a friendly, there was a freshness about them," he said.

“There is a quality to this Ireland team. It will take more presence and we need to create more defensive problems for them.

“They have a grouped block and it will be the case again tomorrow.”

Paul Pogba was left out of the squad through injury while Randal Kolo Muani is also set to miss out.



IRELAND

Ireland captain John Egan is relishing his daunting Paris test against France after shaking off an injury scare.

Egan was forced off on Saturday during Sheffield United’s 2-2 draw against Everton in the Premier League.

But he has recovered in time and is set to lead a backline alongside Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea.

And while the task facing Ireland is big, Egan is relishing it.

“We know they're a top team but we've got to embrace these games,” he said.



“I think we embraced it in Dublin, we put in a really good performance that we can take a lot of confidence from.

“I think we deserved a draw that night, only for their keeper's world-class save at the end, we might have got that.

“As defenders, as players, as a squad we have to embrace it, it's one of the toughest games in professional football, against France.

“We have to perform to our maximum to get a result but we've a lot of belief in ourselves as a squad.

“We are always brilliantly prepared for games, we have to make sure we go out and perform to the best of our ability.”

Evan Ferguson, Michael Obafemi and Mikey Johnston all miss out through injury.

Caoimhin Kelleher sat out training yesterday while Andrew Omobamidele has missed out on a place in the matchday squad.

Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland).

 

PREDICTION

France 1-1 Ireland

 

France

Injured: Paul Pogba, Randal Kolo Muani.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Ireland

Injured: Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston, Michael Obafemi.

Doubtful: Caoimhin Kelleher.

Unavailable: Andrew Omobamidele.

Suspended: Matt Doherty.

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