France in a 4-3-3 for Japan friendly...hint of what to expect against La Roja

Deschamps appears to be leaning on a 4-3-3 in the upcoming friendly for France. When Les Bleus take the pitch Friday to face off against Asian side Japan, look for a very muscular midfield trio. The expected line up:

Le onze de l’équipe de France :
Lloris (c) - Debuchy, Koscielny, Sakho, Clichy - Capoue, Matuidi, Sissoko - Ménez, Giroud, Benzema

No real surprise in the back, maybe seeing the Manchester City left back Clichy over the Manchester United left back is a slight surprise. Otherwise Kos will shoulder Sakho, Rami back on the bench.  With Mbiwa suspended for the Spain match, clearly Deschamps wants to work a pairing for the 90 minutes against Japan. Makes one wonder why Deschamps called up Mbiwa to start with...I realize he might want to have him work with the others during the training sessions, but a risk none the less.

The midfield, again is not a real surprise. Deschamps has opted for a very defensive - holding midfield. Sissoko who has not been called up in years is right back in the starting line up. With Capoue and Matuidi, the midfield seems poised to play more of a "destroying" role than creative one. I wonder if Cabaye is given the time off, but we will see him back in the midfield come next Tuesday, probably in the place of either Sissoko or Matuidi.

No wonder you don't score...you aren't even looking at the goal

Up front is a bit of a surprise to me. With Benzema being pushed into the Ribery channel on the left. Last game he was slotted on the right, where he did a decent job. That role is falling back to a more natural right winger - Menez. I doubt we will not see Da Kaiser back on the left when Les Bleus walk out on the pitch in Spain, but it is interesting to see what Deschamps is experimenting with. He is putting out there a true center forward - Giroud. Albeit one that has forgotten his scoring boots in Montpellier. Benzema has had some success being off set to the left at times, with Lyon and at times with Madrid. The Real Madrid man might be asked to drift (not that he really has to be asked) deeper on the pitch, at times even playing a more #10 role to bring some creativity to this formation.

It will be interesting to see who Deschamps gives some time to as the game progresses. I would think we would see Rami at some point, as well as Valbuena. Le Petit Velo might see some time as a more traditional #10 sitting behind Giroud and Benzema. We shall see. An important test for Les Bleus, especially with what awaits them next week.

Prediction - France 1 Japan 0 goal from Giroud.

Allez Les Bleus