France Confirmed Starting XI: Payet, Kante, Giroud, Matuidi back in lineup

Didier Deschamps has made four changes to his starting XI in France’s Euro 2016 round of 16 match against Republic of Ireland, bringing in the star names like Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kante in  the midfield, and Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet in the attack.

The France head coach had opted to rest these four key players in their last Group A game against Switzerland, as Le Bleu had already qualified for the knockout stages. However, left without four of their main players, France failed to beat a resilient Switzerland side, despite the fact that Payet, their main attacking force this tournament, was brought on in the 62nd minute.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud also makes a return to the starting XI, with France being expected to line up their favourite 4-3-3 formation yet again. Here is Le Bleus’s confirmed starting lineup.

Didier Deschamps has made four changes to his starting XI in France’s Euro 2016 round of 16 match against Republic of Ireland, bringing in the star names like Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kante in  the midfield, and Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet in the attack.

The France head coach had opted to rest these four key players in their last Group A game against Switzerland, as Le Bleu had already qualified for the knockout stages. However, left without four of their main players, France failed to beat a resilient Switzerland side, despite the fact that Payet, their main attacking force this tournament, was brought on in the 62nd minute.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud also makes a return to the starting XI, with France being expected to line up their favourite 4-3-3 formation yet again. Here is Le Bleus’s confirmed starting lineup.