A tough World Cup encounter in 2018 remains fresh in the memory for France’s superstars, who won’t underestimate the Socceroos when they meet again next week — even if they’re not exactly experts on Graham Arnold’s squad just yet.
Striker Olivier Giroud fronted the media on Thursday a day after the reigning champions’ arrival in Qatar. Asked by foxsports.com.au what he knew about, and expected, from this Australian team the veteran striker revealed the players had not yet taken a close look at their opening Group D rivals.
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Everton stars rate Socceroos chances | 00:49
But he knows well what happened the night Les Bleus only battled past the Bert van Marwijk-coached Socceroos 2-1 in Russia to kickstart what was ultimately a triumphant campaign.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and now-AC Milan star has been in stellar form and could start against the Australia with serious fitness concerns lingering around Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who failed to train with his squad on Thursday.
“I don’t know if they have exactly the same squad as 2018. To be honest with you we have not yet studied the team because we are still five, six days from the game,” Giroud said.
“So we will watch it with a lot of attention, the videos, to be ready.
“But obviously we know they are a tough team, they defend really well, they play with a lot of aggression and generosity and they have talented players, a lot of players playing in Europe.
“That first game in 2018 was very difficult to win … we felt relief after that. There is no easy game and we really respect this team and we know how important it is to start the competition well so we will do our best and try to play our best football.”
This would be the third third time Giroud has faced Australia — he also terrorised them with two goals in a 6-0 thrashing back in 2013 that led to the sacking of Holger Osieck.
FRANCE ‘MUST NOT TAKE RISK’ AS BENZEMA BOOSTS LOOMS FOR ROOS
The Socceroos face the very real prospect of not having to face the world’s best player Benzema, who still looked troubled as he did fitness work while his teammates trained at Doha’s Al Sadd Sports Club on Thursday night.
The 34-year-old has only played a handful of minutes since he won the Ballon d’Or a month ago as he battles with muscle fatigue.
Respected L’Équipe football writer Vincent Duluc suggested it was becoming unlikely he would face Australia and that France coach Didier Deschamps was feeling “trapped by his own logic” having previously said he would not pick players in his squad who were unfit to start the first game.
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is also racing the clock to be fit.
“He stopped playing but there were no exams so we don’t know exactly what injury he has .. but I think if he’s not able to complete the training session tomorrow, I think Deschamps must not take the risk and keep him on the bench,” Duluc told foxsports.com.au.
“He’s got Giroud, he’s got Mbappe, he’s got (Ousmane) Dembele, he’s got (Kingsley) Coman .. (Antoine) Griezmann, it’s enough.
“It’s better to have 11 players who are fit … he doesn’t have to take a risk.
“I think he (Deschamps) will try to have a point and to prove that both Varane and Benzema are able to play the first game, but I’m not sure they will.”
