As the defending World Cup champions, France enter Euro2020 with massive expectations and a target on their back. Could they make another run to the final, or will they fall victim to the Group of Death?

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My video notes ⬇️

The Squad
- Before we even start talking about the players in the France squad, let's talk about the players who aren't...
- Dayot Upamecano, Eduardo Camavinga, Theo Hernandez, Tanguy Ndombele, Houssem Aouar, Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Martial... there is an OBSCENE amount of depth and talent to choose from.
- Karim Benzema is back in the team!
- Played fantastic in the friendly against Wales on Wednesday - did everything but score.
- Could somehow take the world's best attack and make it better...
- Gives Mbappe the freedom to get wide and make runs in behind, opens up space and channels for Griezmann to run into an exploit, can drop deep and link with Lemar and Dembele, very good in the air... one of the most underrated and underrappreciated players in Europe
- so many world class players that can move freely among each other
- creates confusion for opposition defense
- Olivier Giroud may also have a massive role to play
- A couple ways that France can play in midfield, but the two consistent pieces will be N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba
- A pairing that works so well together... Kante sits back and screens the defense while Pogba is given the freedom to drift forward and use his technical ability to create chances for the team
- Could see them in a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 (what I expect) or as part of a midfield three with... Tolisso? Sissoko? Rabiot?
- Rabiot would be an interesting third, or he could form the pivot with Kante as the more progressive midfielder with Pogba operating on the right or a 4-2-3-1
- Sissoko is a good defensive midfielder, but I don't think there's a place for him in the XI if Pavard is playing right back
- Defensively, the centreback pairing will likely by Raphael Varane and Presnel Kimpembe... and there's also Pavard who will likely be the option on the right
- Allows France to shift to a 3-back with the left back getting further up the pitch and overlapping with Lemar or Mbappe on the left
- This is why I'm upset Theo Hernandez isn't in the squad - it's the perfect role for him!
- But... brother Lucas can fill that role, or Lucas Digne
- In goal, there's only one man to consider... it's Hugo Lloris
- French captain, next cap will be his 125th, just captained his 100th match for the national team against Wales
- 34 years old but still a top keeper
- Steve Mandanda and Mike Maignan... but let's not overthink it

- Managing France, as he has since 2012, is Didier Deschamps
- The second-longest tenured manager in the EURO field (Löw)
- Was a fantastic defensive midfielder for France... over 100 caps for the national team, won the 98 World cup and Euro2000
- Took the place of Laurent Blanc in 2012, another French great, and the start of his tenure was almost disastrous...
- finished second in their World Cup qualification group, forced into the playoff where they fell behind 2-0 to Ukraine. needed a 3-0 win in the second leg to qualify and got it. Reached the World Cup quarterfinal that year
- Finished second in Euro2016 after losing to Portugal in extra time, winners of World Cup 2018
- Will likely play in a 4-2-3-1, but there are several ways he can do it. Can also move to a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3 if he wants.

- GROUP. OF. DEATH.
- Includes the 2018 World Cup winners, the 2016 Euro winners, the 2014 World Cup winners... and Hungary.
- Still, every single match from this group will be must watch
- Currently France aren't the favorites to win the group - that's Germany - but I don't know why
- I think they win the group - best attack in the tournament,defending World Cup champions, only squad of the three that I can't pinpoint a specific weakness in
- You can get France at +135 (27/20) to win the group... I'm taking it!
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