Australia will unite around the Socceroos once again at a fourth consecutive FIFA World cup and in the first match, they are facing the scarily talented France. It is being said that France has the most powerful squad in this world cup. Having a tremendous amount of youth power in the team, with players such as the trio of Griezman, Mbappe, Dembele the squad is a really powerful one. Despite the recent knee injury, Mbappe has come back and he is really looking forward to a win. In order to defeat the team of France, the Australian squad has to create real pressure.
Although being the favourite of the bookies and the football pundits, the former French international Luis Saha has begged to differ. According to Saha-''The first game is tricky because Australia could be an upset. I have got a dear friend in this squad who seems to be loving those big scenes. Timmy Cahill, when he is around he is always a threat.
''There is, in any national team now, players who can upset you ... any team can be a surprise. That's what we have seen week in week out, it's the quality of the players, they go abroad, they have a lot of quality, the spirit of the country can help.''
The Australian team will surely look forward to players like- Tim Cahill in the forward, Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy in the midfield. Although the team lacks a great deal of defence. The reports have come out that the French team coach Didier Deschamp will not be playing Giroud, despite his good form and the squad will depend on the youth power. On the other hand, Australia coach Bert van Marwijk could drop captain Mile Jedinak and play Massimo Luongo in central midfield. He also has another tough decision to make in the lone striker position, with Tomi Juric, Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout battling it out.
Didier Deschamp is not known as a man who uses too many formations to go with. After persisting with a 4-4-2 that looked outdated and constrictive, he is expected to unleash a 4-3-3 with a twist, that will team Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann together in a frightening front three. While Deschamps has had six years to tinker, his opposite number Bert van Marwijk has had just four friendlies, having been parachuted in following the resignation of Ange Postecoglou in November. After a punishing defeat in his opening game, the Socceroos have impressed under the Dutchman winning the other three matches.
The most probable win is on France, having the best probable squad, with the best probable forward power. But then again it might get to be a banana skin for them as well. So all eyes should be on Kazan Arena today.
