Ibrahima Konate will open for France against Australia. Ibrahima Konate will open for France aginst Australia. Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool is expected to be selected for France’s 2022 FIFA World Cup opening match against Australia on Tuesday (22nd November). On Saturday, the most recent FIFA World Cup got underway in Qatar (20th November). In the curtain-raiser at the Al Bayt Stadium, Ecuador defeated the hosts 2-0. Now that some of the tournament favorites are taking the field, fans’ focus will be on the forthcoming games. Those getting ready for their debut include France.
Australia will be the opposition in the reigning champions’ opening group-stage match. They’ll be hoping to start their World Cup campaign on a high note on Tuesday. Les Bleus’ camp, though, has recently seen some injury issues. Raphael Varane has been having fitness issues, and Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema were forced to leave the team.
Varane participated in Saturday’s France team practice despite being sidelined since the end of October due to a thigh ailment (19th November). He is anticipated to be available for the team to choose from when facing Australia. Didier Deschamps, manager of the Blues, may yet decide against playing the Manchester United defender to avoid taking a chance. Thus, Konate, a center-back for Liverpool, is allegedly in line to receive a start on Tuesday.
RMC Sport claims that Deschamps has been practicing with a 4-3-3 system with Konate and Dayot Upamecano paired as the center-backs. While Varane is getting back to full fitness, he may decide to start the former RB Leipzig pair against the Socceroos. If Deschamps starts Konate on Tuesday instead of players like William Saliba and Presnel Kimpembe, it would be a major win for Konate. The Liverpool defender has only made two appearances for France thus far, it should be noted.
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