France play their first World Cup 2018 match against Australia in a Group C clash on Saturday.

There’s plenty of tactical tweaks that both managers will consider ahead of the encounter.

Here’s what could be on the minds of Didier Deschamps and Bert van Marwijk.

FRANCE’S MISERLY DEFENCE

Much has been made of France’s underwhelming approach under Deschamps. The general consensus is that the Les Bleus manager hasn’t made the most of the extensive pool of attacking talent he has at his disposal. What can’t be questioned though is their solidity in defence.

A formidable back four is only aided by the team’s compact nature and reluctance to take risks and throw too many bodies forward. As a result, Hugo Lloris’ goal rarely comes under threat. In fact, France conceded only 15 shots on target throughout qualifying – a joint record alongside Spain. Australia will have to be clinical because chances will be hard to come by.

ROGIC ROLE IS CRUCIAL

At 25, Tom Rogic is very much the main man for Australia and it’s around him that much of their attacking and indeed counter-attacking play revolves. They set up in a 4-5-1 formation without possession but on the ball, Rogic advances ahead of the two holding midfielders in Miles Jedinak and Aaron Mooy.

The latter quickly spreads play to the wide areas in the transition with Rogic then ghosting in at the edge of the area to be available for cutbacks. Given that Australia lack a prolific striker, much rests on the Celtic man’s late bursts forward.

FRANCE FORMATION CHANGE

Deschamps has ensured that TV studio pundits and journalists alike have had plenty to debate and dissect when discussing France in the final days leading up to their first World Cup fixture. After largely sticking to an uninspiring 4-4-2 formation over the last two years, he’s made the switch to a 4-3-1-2 system with Antoine Griezmann playing as a number 10 behind two wide forwards.

With Olivier Giroud unlikely to start following his head injury, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele should make up the front line which does allow for a seamless transition into a 4-3-3. The French have been trying to perfect the new system in training lately and could facilitate greater fluidity.