Turkey will take on France this Friday, September 25, in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League group stage, where they are joined by Italy and Belgium. Both teams will be eager to make a strong impression from the outset.
France’s Recent Performance
France enters this matchup following a remarkable journey in the recent World Cup held across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The French squad reached the semi-finals but faced defeat against Spain with a 2-0 scoreline. They subsequently played for third place, where they lost a high-scoring match to England, ending 6-4 on July 18. Despite the setbacks, Kylian Mbappé emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer, reflecting his importance to the team’s offensive strategy.
Before encountering Spain, France had a solid World Cup run, eliminating Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Their journey through the knockout stages saw them prevail against Paraguay with a narrow 1-0 victory in the Round of 16, followed by an impressive 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32. In group play, they showcased their prowess by defeating their group rivals, notably finishing with a commanding 4-1 win over Norway.
Turkey’s World Cup Journey
On the other hand, Turkey faced challenges during the World Cup, getting knocked out in the group stage. They ended up in fourth place in Group D after suffering defeats to Australia (2-0) and Paraguay (1-0). However, they salvaged some pride with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States on the final matchday.
Heading into the game against France, Turkey has several key players sidelined due to injuries, notably Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız. Arda Güler, the promising Real Madrid midfielder, will likely be the focal point of Turkey’s attack, providing creativity and inspiration on the field.
Team News and Tactical Changes
France has its own share of absences, with younger talents being thrust into more significant roles. The injured William Saliba and Aurélien Tchouaméni, whose fitness issues have kept him out, mean that coach Zinedine Zidane will have to adjust his lineup. Zidane’s approach might differ significantly from that of his predecessor Didier Deschamps, marking a new era for the French team.
Zidane has indicated that he wants to utilize Warren Zaïre-Emery in a central midfield role. Having played as a right-back for PSG, where he succeeded Achraf Hakimi, he is expected to shine in a more natural midfield position. Additionally, tactical adjustments may see Mbappé positioned more on the left flank, with Ousmane Dembélé taking on the role of a false nine, bringing a fluid dynamic to the French attack.
Predicted lineups suggest that Turkey is likely to field Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Ozcan, Kokcu, Yuksek; Guler, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu. France is expected to start with Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Camavinga, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
As the nations prepare for this highly anticipated encounter, fans will be eager to see how the teams adapt to their respective strategies and player absences, setting the stage for an exhilarating match in the UEFA Nations League.