Two nations looking to return to form will do battle today in an international friendly between France and Brazil. The match scheduled for 4 p.m. ET will be held at the Stade France in Saint-Denis and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on ESPN2.
What They're Saying
France head coach Didier Deschamps (via Goal): "He's [Karim Benzema] been playing very well with us too. It is not the same players or even the same system at his club. The most important is for him to keep that level. The one he has been for several months, maybe several seasons. The difference is that we expect much more from him with the French national team. The media especially. They want him playing as a goal scorer, a finisher. In Madrid he scores goals, but he has Cristiano Ronaldo on his side. Ronaldo is there certainly in order to score goals. He doesn't have to change his football, we do not expect it."
Brazil head coach Dunga (via Goal): "I will not confirm anything. Regardless of who will play or not, everyone needs to be prepared mentally to get on and play. There has been nothing confirmed yet."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Asked to play a different role for his national team, the club form of Benzema rarely translates internationally. In 26 league appearances with Real Madrid, the 27-year-old has 13 goals and nine assists.
France's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Ruffier; Evra, Sakho, Varane, Jallet; Matuidi, Schneiderlin, Sissoko; Griezmann, Benzema, Valbuena
Brazil's Projected Lineup (4-2-2-2): Jefferson; Luis, Miranda, Silva, Danilo; Gustavo, Fernandinho; Willian, Oscar; Neymar, Firmino
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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