Tunisia vs France, FIFA World Cup: When, where to watch, preview, streaming info, Qatar 2022 updates

Defending champion France has not received all three of its World Cup group matches since claiming its first title in 1998.

Tunisia hasn’t even received three matches in its World Cup historical past, however the workforce must beat France on Wednesday to have any likelihood of advancing to the spherical of 16 in Qatar. And Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri is feeling the strain

“I’m not in Jalel’s position,” France coach Didier Deschamps stated. “But they will go for broke.”

Kadri stated earlier than the match it was his “personal mission” to advance previous the group stage and hinted he would stop in any other case.

“Let’s wait for the result of the match and we’ll see. Hopefully I’ll be able to answer your question after the match,” Kadri stated when requested Tuesday if he’ll resign if Tunisia will get eradicated. “We are still alive and we are still present.”

The French wish to match the 1998 workforce captained by Deschamps. But with Les Bleus already certified, they solely want a draw to ensure first place in Group D so Deschamps has the luxurious of resting key gamers.

“There will be changes,” he stated. “Everyone’s ready to play.”

He was evasive when requested if the prolific Kylian Mbappé insisted on enjoying or accepts he wants a breather.

“Physically he’s fine,” Deschamps stated. “Kylian doesn’t have a big ego. He’s important for us and makes the difference. But he’s always accepted what the team needs.”

One possibility is to maneuver Antoine Griezmann up from his new place in proper midfield right into a striker’s function alongside Olivier Giroud, who wants yet another purpose to develop into France’s all-time main scorer with 52.

Deschamps hailed the unselfishness of Griezmann, a prolific ahead himself with 42 targets and 26 assists for France.

RELATED FIFA WORLD CUP STORIES

“He gets as much pleasure tackling someone as setting up a goal,” Deschamps stated. “He’s always been like that. For him it’s not even been a sacrifice (in midfield).”

The gulf between the perimeters seems to be huge.

France has six targets in two video games — three from Mbappé and two from Giroud — whereas Tunisia was held to a 0-0 draw with Denmark and missed some probabilities in a 1-0 loss to Australia.

The Tunisians have by no means been previous the group stage in 5 World Cups and their two wins had been 40 years aside — in opposition to Mexico in 1978 and in opposition to Panama 4 years in the past in Russia.

“Nothing is impossible. I believe in the players,” Kadri stated. “We want our fans to be proud of us.”

Despite good technical potential, the workforce has failed to attain in Qatar regardless of the presence of attacking midfielders Naim Sliti and Wahbi Khazri, who had two targets on the final World Cup and has 24 for the nationwide workforce.

France, nonetheless, carries a number of attacking threats.

Deschamps has at all times been a shrewd tactician, with deep layers of tactical data gleaned from enjoying and training in Italy with Juventus. In Qatar, he’s saved issues extra easy with a direct method that has stunned opponents, utilizing the wings as his important path to purpose.

It labored instantly, with the workforce scoring with three headers — a rarity for France — in opposition to Australia.

The tempo of Mbappé on the left and Ousmane Dembélé on the correct works nicely with the perfect marksman in Giroud benefitting from the crosses. If Dembélé comes off, then Deschamps can flip to Kingsley Coman, who scored Bayern Munich’s winner within the 2020 Champions League ultimate.

“Our wide players make the difference. Look at who they are,” France central defender Raphael Varane stated. “Going wide knocks our opponents off balance.”

The French appear very relaxed at this World Cup, which hasn’t at all times been the case, notably when the squad went on strike at coaching on the 2010 match.

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni even began studying piano on Monday night time, becoming a member of a bunch of wannabe musicians within the squad.

“Hopefully,” he joked, “if we win the World Cup we can put on a concert.”