FIFA World Cup: France vs Australia, 5 Talking Points

#5 Back to the drawing board for France, time to rework strategies

France must come back stronger in their next match

Les Bleus set out in an attacking 4-3-3 with a formidable line-up of Griezmann, Dembélé and Mbappé spearheading up-top. Despite a few promising flashes of their individual brilliance, the wingers struggled to regularly combine with the Atletico centre-forward and he was consequently starved of service in the area. They even switched flanks at one point, to no avail.

Tolisso's inclusion in the starting line-up was somewhat of a surprise and resulted in their inability to move the ball with a faster tempo. The Bayern midfielder had only recently recovered from a shine bone bruise he sustained during the home stretch of last season and his display was a reflection of a player who is yet to hit his peak.

With that in mind, it's possible that Deschamps would want to partner either Nabil Fekir or Thomas Lemar with Pogba in midfield. Eyebrows were raised when he also subbed off Griezmann, for Olivier Giroud in the final stages of the match at 1-1. The move may have not changed a pickled pepper today, but starting both upfront in the next match might bring the much-needed verve back into France's attack.

They got the win they came here for, but it was far from a convincing one. Deschamps has plenty of work to do and selection headaches to worry about, ahead of their clash with Peru next week.