They are the reigning world champions and will enter the continental tournament as one of the favourites. And they have a very strong start, and probably the tournament's strongest attack in Euro 2020. Didier Deschamps worked so hard to rebuild the national team's reputation following the embarrassment of the 2010 World Cup campaign, when the team went on strike, that some have questioned whether Benzema's return might unsettle the squad. Then everything clicked. (More Football News)
Great attacks on paper don't always work in reality, however, as France know. They were eliminated from the 2002 World Cup in the group stage despite having Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Djibril Cisse — who were all leading scorers in their national leagues before the tournament started. Having said that, the current Les Blues roster has an enviable attacking prowess - Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
GROUP AND FIXTURES
But, they are in the group of death, which also has defending champions Portugal, heavyweights Germany and Hungary. France effectively have two away games, facing Germany in Munich on June 15 and Hungary in Budapest four days later. The World Cup champions then stay in the Hungarian capital to take on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, which could pit Benzema against his former Real Madrid teammate.
If France win the group, they play the third-placed team from Group A or B or C in Bucharest in the round of 16. Finish second, and they travel to London for a fixture against Group D (Croatia, Czech Republic, England and Scotland) winners.
WHO TO WATCH
The 22-year-old Mbappe excelled at the World Cup in Russia and helped France win the tournament. Pairing him with the multi-skilled Benzema looks like a sure bet, yet it remains to be seen if Benzema's return goes smoothly after so long away. Benzema last played for France in October 2015, scoring twice, then fell out with Deschamps amid a “sex tape” scandal involving a former teammate. Les Bleus did just fine without him, reaching the Euro 2016 final and winning the World Cup.
Benzema's outstanding form with Madrid, coupled with a knee injury to versatile forward Anthony Martial and a chronic lack of play for veteran striker Olivier Giroud, paved the way for his return. Benzema and Mbappe have enjoyed the best season of their careers, with the mobile Benzema scoring 30 goals and linking play superbly with his touch.
Mbappe scored a career-best 42 goals and starred in a French Cup final victory.
After a tough start to the season, Griezmann's form picked up for Barcelona as he clicked with Lionel Messi and won the Spanish Cup.
GIROUD FACTOR
Ironically, that would cost Giroud a starting place after he took Benzema's spot following the tape scandal. It would be a significant decision for Deschamps, who has stuck by Giroud over the years. Giroud is second on France's scoring list with 44 goals, but the 34-year-old striker may never catch Henry's 51.
Giroud has rarely played for Chelsea since Thomas Tuchel took charge. Of the 13 games Giroud played from February until mid-May, two were for France. Leading up to the FA Cup final on May 15, Giroud had a run of six straight Chelsea games as a substitute, including only eight minutes in the final and two matches as an 89th-minute sub.
UNSUNG HEROES
Holding midfielders N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have found their best form at club level for Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively, which is a huge boost for Deschamps and makes them automatic picks. Kante excelled in the Champions League final win over Manchester City and is back to his best at winning the ball, which helps Pogba with his passing.
WORRIES ELSEWHERE
Hugo Lloris remains reliable in goal, even though the veteran had an average season with Tottenham. Mike Maignan excelled for French champion Lille, and is pushing Steve Mandanda to be No. 2. The 25-year-old Maignan was the French league's best goalkeeper this season along with Paris Saint-Germain's Keylor Navas, keeping a league-high 21 clean sheets.
In defense, center half Raphael Varane is long-established and will likely start alongside Presnel Kimpembe, who must improve his composure after two red cards for PSG this season.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Mike Maignan
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Leo Dubois, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde, Clement Lenglet, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Kurt Zouma
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Thomas Lemar, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko, Corentin Tolisso
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder, Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram.
(With AP inputs)
