In one of the biggest friendly of this international break, Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus will host Dunga's Selecao at the Stade de France in the capital city today.
France vs. Brazil has always been the stage of unforgettable matches throughout the years. While, Brazil may have won 5 FIFA World Cups, it was the French that gets the last laugh in the last 3 matches that the two sides have faced in FIFA World Cup history. Two quarterfinal matches that were ultimately won by the French in 1986 and 2006, but the one that the French and the rest of the world remember was when the French National Team became world champions in a night in Saint-Denis at the Stade de France in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final.
Today, it's different however. Both sides are looking to recover from their last 2014 elimination both France and Brazil were eliminated by the world champions Germany in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively. The Selecao will defintely be looking to get back on track even more following the disapointing World Cup on home soil. And the first step for preparation for the upcoming Copa America in Chile will be against this French side at home as Dunga's side looks to build on a good starting position.
Dider Deschamps' side on the other hand, who will meet his Brazilian counterpart coincidentally for the first time at the same stadium where they were the captains of the side in that final 17 years ago. The duo will meet as coaches of their respective team for the first time and Les Bleus believe that this is the best preperation for the upcoming tournament they are set to host in a year; foreshadowing the same preperation Brazil had for their World Cup.
Many world class talents and future talents will be under the lights in Paris, giving the fans a great example of the depth that both national teams have and it will surely not be one to miss for the fans. Despite the absent of Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba due to injury, Steve Mandanda and Blaise Matuidi will be looking to replace the two in the friendly. For the Brazilians, Danilo at right back and Roberto Firmino at striker will be ones to look forward to look at as they look for spots for the eventual Copa America
“They are reeling from a World Cup that was not unsuccessful despite the trauma they went through — they were still in the semi-finals. I have seen what they have been doing since then and I saw many, many very good things. Brazil is the land of football. They have a lot of passion. Their players have made their mark the history of the game and then they are five-time world champions. Brazil remains a reference to the sport.”- Didier Deschamps
''Of course we also rely on the cooperation of everyone involved in football. We must be make constructive criticisms, because we don’t see everything. The important factors will also help: thinking as a winner, taking action and showing an attitude that will help accomplish what you think you need to do in order to perform on the pitch, not just on paper.”- Dunga