This incarnation of the French side has the pressure of a nation on their shoulders as they prepare to battle Portugal for the Euro 2016 crown on Monday morning.
The hosts have found their best form at the right end of the tournament, defeating Germany 2-0 in the semi-final to book their place in the final.
If they are successful, they will become the first French national team to lift the European Championship trophy since 2000, a squad which itself featured many superstars.
The Les Blues of 2000 lifted the trophy in a 2-1 win against Italy in extra-time, thanks to a late equaliser from Sylvian Wiltord before David Trezeguet scored the golden goal in the 103rd minute.
Zinedine Zidane was awarded the player of the tournament at the conclusion.
So how exactly do the two teams stack up against one another?
Defence
Any successful team needs a good defence and both of these teams proved this en route to their respective finals. Commanding the backline of each setup has been very much underrated goalkeepers. In 2000, AS Monaco’s Fabien Barthez was the No.1 and after some impressive form at both club and international level, he earned a move to Manchester United following the tournament. Current French gloveman Hugo Lloris does not always get the plaudits he deserves, but his performances have gone a long way to help his side earn their place in the final. Lloris just edges out Barthez as the better play between the pair.
In defence not many players stand out as world-class defenders in either of the two sides. In the fullback positions both teams are in similar in the fact they have players who have plenty of top-flight experience. Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna just get the edge over those from the 2000 team that started the final – in Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram. The central-defenders from all of the teams are all of a similar level, and their performances went a long way to helping their teams.
Midfield
In the middle of the park, the French team of 2000 had a plethora of talent at their disposal – including Didier Deschamps, player of the tournament Zidane, Robert Pires and Patrick Viera. At the peak of their powers this side would control the match against the modern day French outfit. By no means are the abilities of N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba to be questioned, but against a group of former greats it is hard to see them being able to overpower such a midfield.
Both of these midfield groups, however, have the ability to dig in defensively, as well as create a number of opportunities for their attackers going forward.
Forwards
The main man up front for France at this year’s tournament, Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud, gets the edge over Christophe Dugarry after enjoying a strong campaign for the hosts this summer. Giroud seems to have found a new lease of life up front at the tournament.
In the wide areas both teams were blessed with players of superb talent, and the two teams break even. Antoine Griezmann has been the star of the tournament for France so far as he currently leads the Golden Boot, and it is very hard to see him being caught heading into the final game of the tournament. Dimitri Payet has bought his fine form from club level to the tournament also. The likes of Youri Djorkaeff and Thierry Henry featured in the wide areas for the team of 2000, two players who were of the highest class during their time.
While both of these teams have enjoyed strong campaigns in the past and present, the French national team of 2000 is still a better team on paper in comparison to the team of 2016.
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