
Koné starts for France in World Cup Round of 16 against Paraguay
AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné has been named in the starting lineup for France's World Cup Round of 16 match against Paraguay. Koné will play alongside Adrien Rabiot in midfield as France manager Didier Deschamps continues to deploy the Roma player from the opening matches. This marks Koné's third start of the tournament and his first appearance in the knockout phase after being used as a substitute in the Round of 32 against Sweden. Paraguay reached this stage after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Germany. Koné remains a key player in Deschamps' setup, valued for his ability to provide midfield balance while allowing France to deploy their attacking potential. The Friedkin Group manager Gasperini relies heavily on the midfielder, and his World Cup performances continue to demonstrate his importance to both club and country. Koné's selection underlines his status as an essential player in France's push toward the tournament's latter stages. If France advance past Paraguay, Koné and his teammates will face the winner of the Canada match in the quarter-finals. His continued involvement in the World Cup represents a significant commitment of playing time away from Roma during the international break.


