Rabiot, Deschamps’ new Matuidi?

Because of the absences and mixed results of the French team in recent months, Didier Deschamps could opt for a return to a defense at 4 next Tuesday against Australia, after the advent of the central defense at 3 axial and two plungers. In this new scheme with 4 defenders, Adrien Rabiot could have a special role.

According to newspaper information The Team, the major trend is a return to the 4-2-3-1 that saw Didier Deschamps’ men triumph at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. This team used the rather defensive central midfielder Blaise Matuidi as a midfielder left. Having become cautious, especially after the last matches of the Blues (1 victory and 3 defeats in the last 6 Nations League meetings), Didier Deschamps plans to use Adrien Rabiot in the same role, while continuing a 4-man defense without very comfortable offensively (Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Dayot Upamecano or Ibrahima Konaté, Lucas Hernandez). Théo Hernandez, the offensive piston of AC Milan, would be notably on the bench.

Rabiot has “different qualities” from those of Matuidi

Asked about the subject by the press, the Juventus midfielder said he was open to the possibility of playing left midfield in a 4-2-3-1: “Compared to Blaise (Matuidi), we have different qualities. But if I had to evolve in a similar role, of course I would. It’s a reflection to have with the coach but I will do it if I have to.

The pivot in the middle of the field should be occupied by the Monegasque Youssouf Fofana (23 years old) and the Madrilenian Aurélien Tchouaméni (22 years old). Left-handed like Blaise Matuidi, Adrien Rabiot would then occupy a role of hybrid left midfielder, which would serve more to maintain a defensive balance than to provide an offensive solution, the former midfielder of PSG being neither a great passer (2 assists this season in 16 games, 2 last year in 45 games), nor a great scorer (no goals last season), despite a few goals scored with Juve in recent weeks (3 since October 21).