The list of unavailable has lengthened in recent days for the coach, brought to decide several delicate cases before the last deadlines of the League of Nations against Austria and Denmark, September 22 and 25.
At the top of the pile, the Benzema folder does not appear as the simplest. The center-forward of Real Madrid, indisputable holder at the Blues, suffers from an injury to the right thigh and his return to competition is not yet scheduled with certainty.
Carlo Ancelotti hopes to see him restored on Sunday against Atlético Madrid, believing that Benzema “has a chance to play (…) if there is any doubt” about his state of health. But if not, the Italian warned: “What is certain is that if he does not play the derby, he will not go to the national team”.
The pressure of “Carletto” will probably leave Deschamps indifferent, often closed to this type of media outing. But, in the event of a persistent physical problem, the coach will not take any risks.
– Giroud back? –
Without Benzema, which name is most likely to come out of the hat? That of Olivier Giroud (35) inevitably comes up in the discussions since the N.9 of the French world champions has a string of good performances at AC Milan.
“Oli is pulling the cart a bit at the moment, but he is an exceptional boy with an incredible team spirit”, praised Stefano Piol again on Saturday.
In March, Deschamps proved that the door of the Blues was not closed to the former Montpellier player, at least in the absence of Benzema.
Among the other attacking stars, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann will hold their rank, but not Kingsley Coman. The Bayern Munich winger suffered a torn right thigh muscle in training on Friday and will be sidelined between two and four weeks.
The absence of Coman for the reception of the Austrians, on September 22 at the Stade de France, then the trip three days later to Copenhagen, places Dembélé in more than favorable conditions.
The FC Barcelona dribbler (27 caps) has not attended the France team since June 2021 and his injury exit against Hungary at the Euro. His remarkable performances in Catalonia, where he stayed this summer after a turbulent showdown, plead in favor of a return.
– Leaded defense –
In midfield, Deschamps is an orphan of Pogba, operated on his right knee in early September and engaged in a race against time for the World Cup, and probably of his sidekick N’Golo Kanté, in the recovery phase after a new injury in August.
The coach’s choices will be particularly scrutinized here, two months before leaving for Doha. Who will accompany Aurélien Tchouaméni as a defensive midfielder?
Eduardo Camavinga, his teammate at Real Madrid, hopes to return to the selection two years after his last cape. But he will face competition in particular from Mattéo Guendouzi and Boubacar Kamara, holders during the last outing of the Blues in June (1-0 defeat against Croatia).
And the defense also promises to be weighed down by packages: Presnel Kimpembe will be out of action around six weeks after being injured on Saturday with Paris SG and Lucas Hernandez, who suffered an adductor injury on Tuesday with Bayern Munich, will be on the side for “several weeks” according to his club.
As for Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano, also affected during this match against Barça (2-0), they should be able to resume training “in the coming days”, according to Bayern.
Among the goalkeepers, the group selected in June has a good chance of being renewed. Behind the holder Hugo Lloris and his lining Mike Maignan, Alphonse Areola holds the rope to be N.3 despite the status of holder found for Steve Mandanda under his new colors in Rennes.
