Group B leaders France will aim to keep their winning start to the qualification rounds when they visit bottom-placed Gibraltar.
It has been over 20 years since Gibraltar, who face France next, were granted UEFA membership, but the British Overseas Territory nation has not qualified in 20 qualification campaigns for the Euros. In fact, they have lost all of their qualification games with an aggregate score of 93-5.
It is an astonishing record, as Gibraltar guarantee three points to all teams they face. That may seem like the story when they host World Cup finalists France. Their last game in this group was against the Netherlands, losing 3-0 with a man down.
They might face a sterner test when facing Didier Deschamps’s men, who will hope to increase their lead at the top. One can only hope for Gibraltar to perform well and to hold off the French threat for as long as possible. Another loss, and they might start at another premature end to their qualification hopes for the 21st year running.
Deschamps got a stunning response from his team as they regrouped at the end of March for the first time since their World Cup Final heartbreak. They responded with two wins against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland without any reply.
Toujours dans la bonne humeur ! 😄 pic.twitter.com/3BnCLHnaOP
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 14, 2023
For now, France sit pretty at the top of Group B with six points. But Deschamps will aim to add another two wins to their tally with their visits to Gibraltar and then the game against Greece at home. With that, the manager can go into the holidays in a dominant position and on the brink of qualification.
Team News & Tactics
Gibraltar
Liam Walker’s red card against the Netherlands will see him miss out through a suspension. He is one of the five players to miss out on this set of games, with Graeme Torrilla, Julian Valarino, Reece Styche and Michael Yome on this list.
⌛️ The clock is ticking for this @EURO2024 European Qualifier match against @equipedefrance 🇫🇷 at the Estadio Algarve, Faro 🏟️ on Friday‼️
🎟️ Haven't got your tickets yet? Get them NOW by clicking the link below 👇https://t.co/whR0nmfIa1 pic.twitter.com/BRvuw7eHoN
— Gibraltar FA (@GibraltarFA) June 14, 2023
Niels Hartman, who debuted against the Dutch from the bench, will push for a first start in the senior team. Gibraltar will continue deploying a five-man backline to contain the pressure of their opponents.
42-year-old captain Roy Chipolina will lead the backline with his experience and have Jayce Olivero and Jayce Olivero as his partners in central defence. Jack Sergeant and Ethan Britto will take up those vacant full-back positions.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Coleing; Sergeant, Roy Chipolina, Lopes, Olivero, Britto; Hernandez, Pozo, Ronan, Casciaro; Coombes
France
Didier Deschamps will field a strong eleven despite the many missing players from his regular group. Adrien Rabiot became the latest to withdraw from the squad and was replaced by Boubacar Kamara, who had to cut short his honeymoon to link up with the national camp.
📍 Faro 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/gCLEkFt3Cc
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 15, 2023
William Saliba, Paul Pogba, Lucas Hernandez and N’Golo Kante are the other notable absentees. Deschamps had also recalled Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele and Wesley Fofana into the setup after the trio had missed the last international breakthrough respective problems.
With new captain Kylian Mbappe leading the attack for Les Bleus, he will have vice-captain Antoine Griezmann for the company in the final third. Kolo Muani might start ahead of record goalscorer Giroud up front, while Kingsley Coman could also feature on the wings.
Overall, Deschamps could mix up and start players he usually does not, with Wesley Fofana, Tchouameni and Youssouf Fofana all in line for starts. Mike Maignan seems like France’s new No.1 following the retirement of Hugo Lloris and will keep his place.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Wesley Fofana, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Kolo Muani
Key Stats
- Gibraltar have lost all of their qualification games in their history.
- Gibraltar have scored only five goals in their whole qualification games’ history while conceding an astonishing 95 times.
- France are unbeaten in each of their last nine European Championship qualifiers.
- France have only lost one of their last 21 qualifying fixtures over the last 13 years.
- France are yet to concede a goal in this qualification campaign.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
🚨🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: "Explain why I plan to stay without renewing? There's nothing to explain. People can talk and criticize. I know why I do what I do and why I say what I say. People don't have all the information." pic.twitter.com/354hrgkuLN
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 15, 2023
Back in the news and again part of one of the most controversial transfer stories, Mbappe will be happy to represent France and take his mind off club matters. The forward will come into this round of games with a renewed sense of responsibility, considering he is France’s captain now.
Taking on the leadership role at such a young age is a thing for gifted players. He will likely want to end another prolific season with plenty of goals. He has the chance to score plenty against a team like Gibraltar and will relish the opportunity to destroy one of the lowly teams on the continent.
Prediction
France 4-0 Gibraltar
The prediction is not about whether France will win but rather by how much. The 4-0 scoreline on the headline may not do justice to the talent of this French side, but a somewhat modest reflection of Gibraltar. There is a feeling the European giants will win by more.
If there was anything to take away from the Netherlands defeat, it was the 3-0 scoreline, as they had expected a heavier defeat. If that inspires, Gibraltar will face an even sturdier opponent in France, thoroughly expecting another mauling on home soil and continuing their astonishing winless run that has spanned over 10 years.
