Nations League: France vs Croatia

France will be looking to win their first 2 wins 2 2 matches in Group 3 in the UEFA Nations League as they continue their 2020-21 home campaign against Croatia on Tuesday night. Didier Deschamps' side scored a 1-0 victory over Sweden in their opening match last time, while Croatia suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against hosts Portugal to fall to the bottom of the group.

Didier Deschamps' side failed to make it through the group stage in the 2018-19 tournament, France has won 7 points from four matches against the Netherlands and Germany in the UEFA Nations League 2018-19 but ended up finishing second in the group. . However, Les Bleus is the defending world champion and will be among the favorites to win the European Championship next summer, scheduled to take place in June 2021. Team Deschamps' ball got past their Euro qualifying campaign, winning 8 of their 10 matches, gaining 25 points to finish behind Turkey. Deschamps wants to "make some tactical options" ahead of the Euro, and it will be interesting to see how the 2018 World Cup winners approach the UEFA Nations League. Paul Pogba and Tanguy Ndombele were both forced to withdraw from the French team ahead of this match after testing positive for coronavirus but the Blues have a majority of their star players, with the likes of Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe was present. Anthony Martial has also returned to the squad after a stellar season for Man United and could start in attack, while midfielder Dayot Upamecano will be hoping to make his international debut.

There will be some notable absences for Croatia, without Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in the squad while in attack Ivan Perisic is expected to play despite representing Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, and there will still be many familiar faces in the away squad. Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic is more likely to join Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic in the middle of the pitch, while Bruno Petkovic is expected to receive a nod in the midfield, having scored five times in just eight. made his appearances for the national team and also scored the only honorable goal in their 1-4 defeat to Portugal. Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren should also play for Croatia as part of the quarterback. Croatia will also be at the European Championships next summer, with top position in Group E, gaining 17 points from the last 8 VL matches.