France is set to face Croatia in a highly anticipated return leg of the Nations League quarter-finals on Sunday evening, March 23, 2025, at the Stade de France, with kickoff scheduled for 20h45. Following a disappointing performance in the first leg, where the French team lost 2-0 in Split, the pressure is on the players to deliver a memorable comeback, reminiscent of their stunning 3-0 victory over Ukraine in the 2013 World Cup qualifiers.
The matchup holds particular significance for Ousmane Dembélé, the only Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player expected to start the game. Dembélé's call-up to the squad comes after a stellar season at PSG, where he has scored 22 goals, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe this season. However, his international performance tells a different story; in 54 appearances for the French national team, he has only netted six goals.
Didier Deschamps, the French coach, faces the daunting task of figuring out how to unleash Dembélé's full potential in the national team setup. Following the first leg defeat, Deschamps has indicated that significant changes will be made to the starting eleven. This includes transitioning Dembélé to a more central role, where he can draw on his club experiences and potentially become more influential in the match.
"We must find a way to allow Dembélé to express himself as he does at PSG," commented Deschamps in a media briefing. The coach previously aimed to position Dembélé centrally, but an early injury this season curtailed these plans. Now, with a full-strength squad, Deschamps intends to leverage Dembélé's skills effectively against the Croatian side.
The connection between Dembélé and fellow forward Kylian Mbappé will be crucial. Having struck an excellent rapport at PSG, with Mbappé recently noting, "If we have an Ousmane as good as at PSG, we will win matches," the duo's chemistry on the pitch is vital for achieving the desired results from this strategic shift.
While Dembélé's form at club level has soared, his performance against Croatia in the first leg was arguably underwhelming. Observers noted he seemed filtered out of the game, unable to find the ball in promising situations, which is partly attributed to the French midfielders’ inability to penetrate the Croatian defense effectively. This time, however, with a refined strategy, the team aims to position Dembélé to exploit defensive gaps more effectively, hoping to recapture his form.
Commentators suggest that a 4-3-3 formation will suit the team well, featuring a setup of Maignan in goal; a defense comprising Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, and T. Hernandez; a midfield of M. Koné, Camavinga, and Tchouaméni; with Dembélé, Mbappé, and Olise leading the attack.
In discussing Dembélé's adjustments, Karim Bennani from L'Equipe stated, "I found his activity interesting during the match. He connected well with Mbappé and his movements were positive, but he needs to have the same sharpness that he usually shows at PSG." Deschamps’ strategic decisions in lineup formations and player positions will factor heavily into the game and the performance of the team's key attackers.
If France can pull through and reach the Final Four of the Nations League, it could bode well for their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, where they would be grouped with Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan come September, should they advance. An elimination, on the other hand, would place France in a tougher group comprising the Czech Republic, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.
With the eyes of the football world set on the Stade de France, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The French team aims for both vindication following a poor first-leg outing and to solidify their standing as contenders ahead of future international competitions.
The matchup promises to bring excitement and perhaps retribution for the French squad, particularly as they strive to blend club performance with national pride. Sunday night could be the night for Dembélé to shine brightly on an international stage, leaving behind doubts from the past and rewriting his narrative with Les Bleus.
