France and Croatia will meet on Tuesday at the Stade de France for their second match of the UEFA Nations League. The Group 3 rivals had differing results on matchday 1 and France are aiming for their second straight win in the competition.
Didier Deschamps’ team won 1-0 against Sweden in Stockholm on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe’s 41st minute goal stood up for the French as they laboured to the win. France only tallied one shot from seven on target while keeping 49% possession.
Les Bleus se sont entraînés hier au Stade de France. Au programme, vivacité et séance de finition face au but ! France🆚Croatie⏰ 20H45📺 TF1#FRACRO pic.twitter.com/E43S8qk043— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 8, 2020
Les Bleus se sont entraînés hier au Stade de France. Au programme, vivacité et séance de finition face au but ! France🆚Croatie⏰ 20H45📺 TF1#FRACRO pic.twitter.com/E43S8qk043
Still, they claimed a win, which Croatia failed to do versus Portugal in Porto. The Croatians fell 4-1 with the scoreline slightly flattering them. Croatia were down 3-0 in the 90th minute when Bruno Petkovic scored a consolation goal. After scoring, the Croatians conceded yet another goal to the Portuguese.
Croatia have played France four times in their history and have never beaten the French. They have a record of 0W-2D-4L. Their last meeting was the 2018 World Cup Final. France won the final of the tournament 4-2.
Positive COVID-19 tests were confirmed over the weekend in the French squad. Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was pulled from the squad and is in quarantine after a positive test was revealed. Marseille’s first Ligue 1 game was cancelled due to coronavirus.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was not in the France squad prior to the Sweden game due to a positive COVID-19 test as well.
Zlatko Dalic’s team struggled against Portugal on matchday 1. Cristiano Ronaldo did not even play but the Portuguese were fine without him.
Croatia allowed 27 shots with 11 landing on target. They registered just five shots with two on target of their own versus the Portuguese. If Croatia have a similar night, France could put several goals past them just like Portugal did.
Mbappe was on target for the French versus Sweden and could be even more dangerous against a very poor Croatia defence.
France, the reigning World Cup winners, are favourites to win the Nations League 2020 at 7/2 odds. Heading into the second game of the group, France are 4/6 to top the four-team group according to leading sportsbooks.
Can France make it two wins from two? There is no reason Deschamps’ team cannot win on Tuesday at home. Croatia were awful versus Portugal and it is time for a rebuild for Dalic.
France will pick up a win with over 2.5 goals scored. Don’t be surprised if Mbappe gets another goal.