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Doué to start against Morocco as Deschamps makes another XI change for quarterfinals

Désiré Doué is expected to replace Bradley Barcola in France's starting lineup for the World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco on Thursday. Aurélien Tchouameni, not fully recovered from a thigh injury, remains on the bench.

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Doué to start against Morocco as Deschamps makes another XI change for quarterfinals
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Didier Deschamps is set to field Désiré Doué in place of Bradley Barcola for the World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco on Thursday. This change will be the only one from the eleven that beat Paraguay in the round of 16, but it confirms a trend: the manager has not fielded the same team twice in a row since the tournament kicked off against Senegal.

In midfield, Aurélien Tchouameni took part in part of Wednesday’s collective training session, but the Real Madrid player’s thigh injury has not healed sufficiently for him to start. Manu Koné therefore keeps his place alongside Adrien Rabiot in midfield.

In defense, Lucas Digne appears to have definitively won out over Théo Hernandez in Deschamps’ hierarchy. The former Lille player is set to make a third consecutive start on the left flank, where he will have to contain Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi. Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba form the central defense, Jules Koundé occupies the right side.

Upfront, Kylian Mbappé is supported by Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Doué. Mike Maignan is in goal.

France’s probable lineup: Maignan — Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne — Rabiot, Koné — Dembélé, Olise, Doué — Mbappé.

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