Portugal, France tussle for top spot in Nations League Group A3


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2020-21 UEFA Nations League

Matchday 5 of 6 

Portugal vs France

Estadio da Luz
Lisbon, Portugal 
Saturday, 14 November 2020 
Kick-off is at 19:45
 
Portugal will host France in a crucial UEFA Nations League Group A3 match in Lisbon on Saturday. 
 
Both teams have conjured 10 points from four matches but the reigning European and Nations League champions occupy top spot heading into the tie, due to them boasting a superior goal difference. 
 Didier Deschamps
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A Seleção beat Sweden 3-0 in their most recent Nations League outing with Liverpool's Diogo Joto netting a brace. For Portugal head coach Fernando Santos, Jota's emergence is a healthy headache with Portugal currently boasting a wealth of talent across the field. 
 
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 "There is a clear objective, which is to get to the final four and try to defend the title," said Santos. 
 
"We can take the opportunity to look at players from our extended squad. Paulinho and Pedro Neto are part of that list of 40 or 50 players that I think are all very good. There are none of them that I do not trust or do not have quality."
 
France extended their unbeaten run in competitive matches to 11 with a 2-1 win over Croatia last time out and the World Champions will be eager to get one over the team that beat them in the 2016 Euros final on home soil. 

"I wouldn't say there's any risk of burnout, but fitness is something that needs to be taken into account," said France head coach Didier Deschamps in build up to the encounter. 
 
"These past weeks, the players played in nine matches: one every three days, including the European competitions. I can't say I'm not relieved when I see one of my internationals start on the bench for his club! We're adapting to this calendar and to the sanitary situation, which is a bit intimidating, so we're preparing also on the psychological side: for example, having to play in empty stadiums."
 
Kylian Mbappe
 Image copyright: Getty Images

Les Blues have won three of the last five matches against Portugal, but Santos' troops are unbeaten in their last two meetings having followed their 1-0 victory in the 2016 showpiece with a 0-0 draw in Saint-Denis last month. 
 
Portugal vs France head-to-head statistics (last five matches in all competitions):
 
Portugal wins: 1
France wins: 3
Draws: 1
 

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Published: 11/10/2020