By France and Israel are set to face off in a crucial UEFA Nations League match on Thursday evening at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest. The match, technically an Israel home game, is being played on neutral ground due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
France, under manager Didier Deschamps, enters the match in second place in Group A2 with three points from two games. Les Bleus bounced back from a surprising 3-1 defeat to Italy with a 2-0 victory over Belgium in September. The French team is adjusting to life without Antoine Griezmann, who recently announced his shock international retirement.
Adding to France’s challenges, star forward Kylian Mbappe is absent from the squad for the first time in three years due to injury concerns. In their absence, Deschamps is likely to rely on Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram in attack.
Israel, meanwhile, sits at the bottom of Group A2 after suffering defeats to Belgium (3-1) and Italy (2-1) in their opening matches. Manager Ran Ben Shimon’s side faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation back to League B, having won just two of their last nine international fixtures.
The match presents a significant challenge for Israel, who have historically struggled against France, winning only once in nine previous encounters. Their task is made more difficult by the absences of captain Eli Dasa and young forward Dor Turgeman due to injuries.
In defense, France may pair Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate with Arsenal’s William Saliba, following Dayot Upamecano’s withdrawal due to a thigh injury. For Israel, the absence of Tottenham’s Manor Solomon could provide an opportunity for Red Bull Salzburg prospect Oscar Gloukh to start.
This fixture not only holds implications for the Nations League standings but also serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming European Championship. As France looks to maintain their position among Europe’s elite, Israel aims to prove they belong at this level of international competition.
