World Cup 2018 Review: Group C
With the tournament kicking off in less than a week, it is time to look ahead to the group C of the tournament!
“We are not at the same level as Germany, Spain and Brazil — yet,” says Didier Deschamps. “We may not control all our games with the same authority but still, we have a strong and competitive team with a great potential.” France blew hot and cold in qualifying, winning their group despite losing to Sweden and drawing against Belarus and Luxembourg. Deschamps has a thrilling and explosive attack of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé (if fit). There is a strong midfield built around Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, lots of technical ability all around with such as Thomas Lemar and a sound defensive axis. Still, France appear more effective when playing on the break and using their speed. The weakest link? The left-back position if Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy does not recover from his knee injury.
It’s hard to see the French going home early this summer, given the wealth of vibrant attackers and pillars of European club soccer in the lineup. Many observers see them as genuine title contenders — but only if they perform in harmony and avoid the selfish trappings that sunk past World Cup squads.
How they qualified Winners of European Group A ahead of Sweden
Preferred system 4–4–2 or 4–3–3
Star player Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)
One to watch Kylian Mbappé (Paris St-Germain)
Manager Didier Deschamps
Probability to win group 70%
Not only did a World Cup qualifying campaign end successfully for the first time since 2009 but the public fell back in love with the team. Denmark crushed Poland 4–0 and the Republic of Ireland 5–1 in the space of two months in the autumn, with Christian Eriksen reaching a Michael Laudrup-level of play, scoring 11 goals in 12 matches. “The World Cup deserves a star like him,” says the coach, Age Hareide. “We will be a danger to all teams because of him.” Denmark will continue with the direct style of play that Hareide turned to in the autumn, an approach that suited the box-to-box midfielder Thomas Delaney, who was the second-highest scorer for Denmark in qualifying. Up front Nicolai Jorgensen, Andreas Cornelius and Nicklas Bendtner fight for one place, while in central defence Brentford’s Andreas Bjelland and the captain Simon Kjær are picked ahead of Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen.
One of the fastest-improving teams in Europe, and a country most wanted to avoid coming out of the third-seeded pot.
How they qualified Second in European Group E behind Poland, then play-off win against Republic of Ireland
Preferred system 4–3–3
Star player Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
One to watch Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen)
Manager Age Hareide
Probability to win group 17%
The 31st team to qualify worked harder than anyone else, with around 250,000km travelled and trips to far-flung destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Iran, Japan, Malaysia and Honduras. The Socceroos’ place in Russia is secure but the identity of the manager who will lead them there remains a mystery after Ange Postecoglou quit following the play-off win over Honduras in November. As such, Australia present something of a challenge for opponents scouting them, and uncertainty hangs over whether Postecoglou’s preferred — and controversial — 3–2–4–1 will be retained, as well as over the names that will fill those starting slots. There is still an over-reliance on Tim Cahill — who will be 38 this month — for goals but with Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Massimo Luongo, there is talent elsewhere; how to get the best out of them and their team-mates will depend on who takes the job.
How they qualified Third in Asian Group B (round three) behind Japan and Saudi Arabia, then play-off wins against Syria and Honduras
Preferred system 3–4–1–2 (but that may change when the new manager is appointed)
Star player Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
One to watch Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin)
Manager none
Probability to win group 5%
Peru are back at the World Cup after 36 years, having gone back to their roots. Ricardo Gareca has brought in new, young players and reintroduced a style that had been lost for some time. Short passes and possession are part of the football DNA of Peru again — with excellent results. They are a young side who have responded to tougher discipline with increased commitment. The spine is made up of a very confident goalkeeper in Pedro Gallese; the skilful leader Alberto Rodríguez in defence; the physical and intelligent Yoshimar Yotún, who runs the midfield; and Jefferson Farfán and Paolo Guerrero up front. The wing-backs Aldo Corzo and Miguel Trauco are tactically astute and important. For a bit of inspiration to unlock opposing defences, there is the talented Christian Cueva.
How they qualified: Fifth in South American section, then play-off win over New Zealand
Preferred system: 4–2–3–1
Star player: Jefferson Farfán (Lokomotiv Moscow)
One to watch: Christian Cueva (São Paulo)
Manager: Ricardo Gareca
Probability to win group: 8%
Marginless verdict on Group C
Even though Group C has one of the clearest favourites — France, overall it is very tricky group where any team can take points from others. Battle for the 2nd position should be very close and is likely to come down to goal difference at the end.
