Greece round off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against a riotous France team in Athens on Tuesday evening.
Gus Poyet’s hosts failed to qualify for the finals directly, the Netherlands secured second place behind France, but are guaranteed a spot in the play-offs thanks to their performance in the Nations League. Poyet’s contract is set to expire after the play-offs whatever the result – if he even lasts that long. Negotiations over an extension have been muddled by Poyet’s flirtation with other national teams, chiefly the Republic of Ireland, and the claim that his assistant hasn’t been paid in eight months.
Didier Deschamps isn’t going anywhere any time soon after extending his contract to June 2026 at the start of the year. With France fresh from a 14-0 rout of Gibraltar and boasting a perfect record in qualifying, Deschamps’ position has scarcely been more secure.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming contest.
Greece vs France H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Viaplay Sports 2, Viaplay UK |
|
United States |
ViX |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
International football rights holders around the world
|
Country |
Broadcaster |
|---|---|
|
Argentina |
Star+, ESPN |
|
Brazil |
Star+ |
|
France |
TF1, Molotov |
|
Germany |
DAZN |
|
Italy |
Sky Italia, RAI |
The only game that Greece lost during last year’s Nations League was away to Cyprus when Petros Mantalos was suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. The indisciplined midfielder has picked up another ban in Euros qualifying – although, Greece’s chances would have been slim even with the 32-year-old to call upon.
Right-back Lazaros Rota has been hampered by physical discomfort, leaving Sheffield United’s George Baldock as an able deputy on the opposite flank to Liverpool‘s Kostas Tsimikas.
Georgios Tzavellas definitely won’t be involved after announcing his immediate retirement following Greece’s 2-0 friendly win over New Zealand on Friday.
Greece predicted lineup vs France (4-3-3): Vlachodimos; Baldock, Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos, Tsimikas; Bakasetas, Kourbelis, Bouchalakis; Konstantelias, Giakoumakis, Masouras.
Jurgen Klopp has criticised Deschamps’ use of Ibrahima Konate during his various recovery periods from injury, but the Liverpool centre-back was unavailable entirely for this window of fixtures after sustaining a hamstring problem.
Eduardo Camavinga was also forced to withdraw, suffering serious damage to his knee ligaments during training. The Real Madrid midfielder is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the calendar year.
Warren Zaire-Emery at least made it onto the pitch against Gibraltar, marking his senior debut with a goal, but had his ankle crunched by Ethan Santos while scoring. The 17-year-old was diagnosed with a “big sprain” as revealed by Deschamps.
France predicted lineup vs Greece (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Clauss, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Fofana; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; M. Thuram.
Two members of Chelsea’s midfield from the turn of the century meet in opposite dugouts on Tuesday as Poyet goes head-to-head with Deschamps. During their only season together at Stamford Bridge, the pair started the triumphant 2000 FA Cup final against Aston Villa.
Only one of the old Blues can win on Tuesday and, in truth, there is a clear favourite. Greece are hardly pushovers, with the squad’s best players concentrated in a tight backline, they’ve unsurprisingly shipped just six goals in seven games. However, France are justifiably ranked as the best team in Europe and look set to close out qualifying with an eighth straight win.
Prediction: Greece 0-2 France
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