France head coach Laurent Blanc is under no illusions as to the size of the task his side faces to overcome defending champions Spain ahead of their quarter final meeting on Saturday.
Blanc’s side have lost just once, to Sweden in their final Group D fixture, in the last 24 games but is aware his side will take on the role of underdogs against the World Cup holders at the Donbass Arena.
However the former Bordeaux manager is confident his players have it in them to cause an upset but will need to mimc the performance of Spain’s Group C opponents Italy and Croatia.
“Normally we try to adapt as little as possible to our opponents and play to our own strengths, but we are going to be coming up against a very good side,” he said.
“Spain are a little bit further on than us and will have 65 to 70% of the possession in a game. That is a problem for any side to deal with.
“They have great players who play for great clubs in Barcelona and Real Madrid. From a fan’s perspective, it is a delight to watch them play.
“But Croatia and Italy showed a lot of solidarity, commitment and willingness against them and they are the qualities we will need to show if we are to have a chance of winning the game.”
The pair haven’t met at a major tournament since the 2006 World Cup with Les Bleus running out 3-1 winners in a second round clash with Spain currently ranked the best team on the planet..
But head coach Vincente Del Bosque maintains his side aren’t expecting to be given a clear path to the final and knows France will pose a serious threat to their hopes of becoming the first team successfully defending the Henri Delauny trophy and win three major tournaments on the spin.Del Bosque is, however, refusing to get drawn into speculation over his starting XI for the game accepting that the strength in depth of his squad will always ignite debate.
“We are modest, but still optimistic,” he told a press conference.
“France are difficult opponents and also we have some doubts about the starting line-up, but that is a healthy thing.
“We are not absolutely right, and we will just try our best. I haven’t decided on my team yet. We have great players who can play up front.
“I have always had 23 great players who are important for their clubs, and I can’t use all of them.
“It would be bad not to have any selection doubts. We have stable form and a stable team, and alternatives for every position.”
Team News
Alvaro Arbeloa, Jordi Alba, Torres are all a booking away from suspension along with Xabi Alonso, who looks set to win his 100th cap for Spain. Injury wise Vincente Del Bosque has all 23 men fit for the game.
Laurent Blanc has concerns over Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery after they sat out Wednesday’s training session with ‘minor problems’, while Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye could be missing with a thigh problem that kept him out of the Sweden game.
Key Players
Franck Ribery
What a difference two years makes. At the 2010 World Cup the Bayern Munich winger was a mere passenger for his country as they crashed and burned in in South Africa. Now Ribery is leading the French charge and is at the forefront Les Bleus’ resurrection in Poland and Ukraine with a couple of imperious displays in the group stage. He looks fitter, focused and hungry to deliver their first major trophy since they won Euro 2000 in their homeland.
Andres Iniesta
Who else for La Roja? It’s fair to say the entire planets have exhausted themselves of all superlatives to illustrate the divine talent of the Barcelona midfielder. Iniesta is the complete midfielder and is the man that makes Spain tick along with club mate Xavi in the engine room. He can ghost past players like they’re not there and thread a pass through the tightest of back lines. He’ll once again be the difference for Vincente Del Bosque’s men in Donetsk.
Prediction: 2-2 aet (Spain to win on penalties)
