PARIS, June 2: The benefit of ending a long feud with Karim Benzema is that France coach Didier Deschamps will start the European Championship with arguably the tournament’s strongest attack.
Even the generally pragmatic Deschamps struggled to contain his enthusiasm when asked recently about a forward line featuring Benzema alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Deschamps may well need all three of them considering how hard Group F is.
France effectively has two away games, facing Germany in Munich on June 15 and Hungary in Budapest four days later. The World Cup champions then stay in the Hungarian capital to take on defending champion Portugal, which could pit Benzema against former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. That was a tremendous club partnership, but now Benzema has Mbappe alongside him for the national team.
The 22-year-old Mbappe excelled at the World Cup in Russia and helped France win the tournament. Pairing him with the multi-skilled Benzema looks like a sure bet, yet it remains to be seen if Benzema’s return goes smoothly after so long away.
Deschamps worked hard to rebuild the national team’s reputation following the embarrassment of the 2010 World Cup campaign, when the team went on strike.
Benzema last played for France in October 2015, scoring twice, then fell out with Deschamps amid a “sex tape” scandal involving a former teammate.
Benzema’s outstanding form with Madrid, coupled with a knee injury to versatile forward Anthony Martial and a chronic lack of play for veteran striker Olivier Giroud, paved the way for his return.
Benzema and Mbappe have enjoyed the best season of their careers, with the mobile Benzema scoring 30 goals and linking play superbly with his touch.
Mbappe scored a career best 42 goals and starred in a French Cup final victory.
After a tough start to the season, Griezmann’s form picked up for Barcelona as he clicked with Lionel Messi and won the Spanish Cup.
Having recalled Benzema, it seems likely he will start.
Ironically, that would cost Giroud a starting place after he took Benzema’s spot following the tape scandal. It would be a significant decision for Deschamps, who has stuck by Giroud over the years.
Giroud is second on France’s scoring list with 44 goals.
Hugo Lloris remains reliable in goal, even though the veteran had an average season with Tottenham. Mike Maignan excelled for French champion Lille, and is pushing Steve Mandanda to be No. 2.
The 25-year-old Maignan was the French league’s best goalkeeper this season along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Keylor Navas, keeping a league-high 21 clean sheets.
In defense, center half Raphael Varane is long established and will likely start alongside Presnel Kimpembe, who must improve his composure after two red cards for PSG this season.
Holding midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have found their best form at club level for Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively, which is a huge boost for Deschamps and makes them automatic picks.
Kante excelled in the Champions League final win over Manchester City and is back at winning the ball, which helps Pogba with his passing. In front of them, there will be plenty to work with. (AP)
