"Deschamps is such a crook" "Will be our downfall" - France fans baffled as ex-Manchester United target starts 2022 FIFA World Cup opener against Australia

Many fans are not pleased to see Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in France's starting line-up to face Australia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

After the likes of Argentina and England, France will take to the field for the first time in the 2022 FIFA World Cup today (November 22). They are set to face Australia at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar in their first group-stage match of the competition.

Les Bleus have arrived in the Middle East with the hopes of defending their World Cup title. They will thus be determined to get their campaign off to a flying start with a victory over Australia today.

With less than an hour to go until kick-off, France have named their starting line-up for the match. Rabiot is among those who have earned a place in Didier Deschamps's first XI to face Australia.

While Deschamps is positive that his starting line-up will get the job done, many fans do not share his views. His decision to include Rabiot in the first XI has not gone down well among several supporters.

Rabiot, who was linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, has gone to Qatar in good form. He has scored five goals and provided two assists in 16 appearances across all competitions for Juventus this term.

Deschamps has notably chosen the 27-year-old over the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Matteo Guendouzi to start today. The midfielder will now look to repay the manager's faith by helping the team to a win against Australia.

Who else are starting for France in their FIFA World Cup opener?

Deschamps has set up his team to play in what appears to be a 4-2-3-1 formation against Australia today. Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez will play in a back four ahead of captain Hugo Lloris.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Rabiot will play in a double pivot in midfield, with Antoine Griezmann possibly operating as an attacking midfielder. Olivier Giroud will lead the line for France in their FIFA World Cup opener, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele playing on the flanks.

Deschamps has notably decided to leave the likes of Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane and Kingsley Coman on the bench. It remains to be seen who among Les Bleus' substitutes will come on today.

About the author

Dakir is a European and Indian football journalist at Sportskeeda with an overall experience of 10 years. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and currently pursuing Master’s in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University, he is a seasoned football journalist who has interviewed the likes of former Liverpool star John Arne Riise, covered the entire 2022-23 Indian Super League season of the Kerala Blasters, and has delivered a seminar at an international conference held by St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.

Thanks to his extensive academic background in journalism, Dakir understands the importance of accuracy and spends a significant amount of time researching the subject. In today’s data-driven world of football, where players are perceived as machines, he prides himself amplify the voices of the people that make football the beautiful game that it is.

He started following football in 2013, and more specifically, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, and admires Jurgen Klopp for his untouched charisma and unmatched legacy. A perpetual underdog supporter, he is a fan of under-fire Reds forward Darwin Nunez and can’t wait for him to show the world what he truly is. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s iconic “corner taken quickly” corner assist for Divock Origi in Liverpool’s 4-0 UCL semifinal win over Barcelona left a lasting impact on him.

When not writing, Dakir enjoys indulging in his guilty pleasure - watching mass commercial movies.

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