This Eire Start the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with the toughest matches against the World Cup finalists France Monday morning.
Stephen Kenny’s men will have to do their best to have a chance to deny the attack. French Another three points to go with what they’ve collected with minimal fuss against Holland Friday night.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the highlights of the match at Aviva Stadium.
Cullen machine
Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen was among the notable missing from the starting 11 in Kenny’s 3-2 friendly win against Latvia on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has become a fixture in Kenny’s midfield engine room, which has thrived at club level under the watchful eye of his manager. Vincent Kompany both at Anderlecht and now at Turf Moor, and his ability to both protect his defenders and bring the men in front of him into play will be key in the toughest tests.
Ferry time?
Young Brighton striker Evan Ferguson scored the first goal he, Kenny and all of Ireland hoped would be many goals for his country to confirm his recent terrific form against the Latvians. His lack of top international experience suggests he could be kept in reserve, at least initially, but the temptation to give him a role at some point must have certainly increased as a result of his midweek efforts.
long and short
Although Caoimhin Kelleher or Gavin Bazunu concede the goal on Monday evening, they will hope that an alarming trend does not continue. Nine of the 23 goals conceded by the Republic since the start of 2021 – including two missiles fired by Roberts Uldrikis and Arturs Zjuzins as Latvia bounced back to the same level from 2-0 – came from outside the penalty area.
Kylian me slowly
Much of the conversation in the game’s genesis centered around Kylian Mbappe, the newly appointed captain of France, who scored a hat-trick in the December World Cup final but still received a loser’s medal. Chatter has increased as a result of two goals added to their tally in Friday’s 4-0 win over a weakened Dutch side, and Ireland will have a job on their hands to keep him quiet in Dublin.
2009 and all
Weeks after Ireland and France last faced each other in Paris in May 2018, Didier Deschamps’ men lifted the World Cup; Their previous match against Lyon in the last 16 of Euro 2016 was a stepping stone for the home team on their way to the final. For the Irish, however, the fixture rekindles memories of the night at the Stade de France in November 2009 when Thierry Henry’s spotless handplay cost Giovanni Trapattoni’s team a chance to win, en route to William Gallas’ decisive overtime goal. 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.