After losing to Italy in their first UEFA Nations League game of the 2024-25 season, France will aim to beat Belgium on Monday, when head coach Didier Deschamps may make several changes to his starting XI.

Les Bleus lost at home on the opening matchday, conceding three times after Bradley Barcola had opened the scoring within 13 seconds - his nation's fastest-ever goal - so a defensive shake-up could be on the cards.

Although Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard was dropped from the squad that took part at Euro 2024, two regular fixtures of the French back four were on the bench at Parc des Princes: both Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano are strong candidates for selection in Lyon.

Even without mainstay Adrien Rabiot, left out this month as he searches for a new club, Deschamps has plenty of options in midfield. N'Golo Kante and Youssouf Fofana were paired in the engine room last time out, but Manu Kone or Paris Saint-Germain star Warren Zaire-Emery could now come in.

Lazio's Matteo Guendouzi is also available, having been called up alongside Loic Bade when Ferland Mendy and Wesley Fofana withdrew due to fitness issues.

The hosts' abundance of attacking options is even more bewildering, as Michael Olise made his first senior start on Friday, adding to a talent pool also featuring Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.

Even Antoine Griezmann is not certain of keeping his place, but whichever supporting cast is selected, the main star will be captain Kylian Mbappe - though the Real Madrid striker has scored just once for France since the start of the Euros.

France possible starting lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Griezmann, Barcola; Mbappe

> Click here to see how Belgium could line up for this UEFA Nations League contest

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea