France aim to shake off 'nightmare'

Didier Deschamps' France hold their hopes of World Cup qualification in their own hands, but the country is haunted by Saturday's opponents Bulgaria, who denied them a place at USA 1994.

Star striker Kylian Mbappe was not even born when Deschamps was part of a France team left stunned in November 1993, when a 90th-minute winner dumped out Les Bleus and sent Bulgaria to the finals.

"No that means nothing to me. I don't know," the 18-year-old said when asked if he knew of Emil Kostadinov, Bulgaria's goal-scoring hero 24 years ago at the Parc des Princes.

Mbappe does, however, recognise the gravity of his team's trip to Sofia in securing a place at the finals in Russia.

"It's a really important match, we have to go to Russia. It's more than a goal, it's a fact."

The Paris Saint-Germain front-man added: "Mentally we're getting ourselves ready to go to war."

History indicates France face a tough test in their penultimate qualification match. They have faced Bulgaria nine times away, managing just a single victory -- in 1931 -- with one draw and seven defeats.

'WE STICK TOGETHER'

Vice-captain Raphael Varane told AFP his team has the character to deal with the pressure, recalling France's qualification for the last World Cup in Brazil, when they overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Ukraine 3-2 in a two-legged play-off.

"The positive momentum began in 2013 when we shut out Ukraine, when we had our backs against the wall," he said.

"That's a bit of a characteristic of this team. In tough moments, we know how to stick together."

France complicated their task of qualifying with a baffling 0-0 draw at home to minnows Luxembourg last month, having also lost to Sweden in June.

But the French are still top of group A and two wins in their remaining matches will send Deschamps' side to Russia. Their final match is against Belarus at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

France could theoretically secure qualification on Saturday, but only in the unlikely event they win and Sweden buckle at home against already-eliminated Luxembourg.

A long injury list has weakened the French, particularly at the left-back position, where Lucas Digne -- short of game time at Barcelona -- is expected to replace the sidelined Benjamin Mendy and Layvin Kurzawa.

At centre-back, Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal will be replaced by Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti to form a defensive partnership with Varane.

The absence of key midfielder Paul Pogba, who is injured but would have missed the Bulgaria match through suspension anyway, should be compensated by Chelsea powerhouse N'Golo Kante or Blaise Matuidi and Adrien Rabiot.

If Deschamps chooses caution, he could opt for the muscular presence of Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko.

In attack, France have a multitude of options, with Arsenal strikers Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette, Antione Griezmann, and the man of the moment, Mbappe, at their disposal -- they will just hope they do not slump as they did against Luxembourg.