France have a long unbeaten record to protect as they seek to confirm their renaissance under coach Laurent Blanc by winning Group ‘D’ to sweep into the quarterfinals at Euro 2012.
But Blanc knows they face a familiar obstacle in old foes England, however their opponents may have been recast by new manager Roy Hodgson, and has wisely been cautious ahead of their group-opening clash in Donetsk on Monday.
It is a fixture to remind him it is much too early for the cockerels to crow before his team face England and unpredictable co-hosts Ukraine plus durable Sweden in a tricky group.
Bitter memories of France’s discordant early exit from the 2010 World Cup finals, as well as happier times, may serve him well if reminders about unity and concentration are required. Inspired by Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane respectively, France won the Euros at home in 1984 and in neighbouring Belgium and Netherlands in 2000 -- triumphs that leave them trailing only three-time winners Germany in the tournament’s history.
“They are not at full strength, but what concerns me is that England will play in a certain style,” he said. “We are going to have to be extremely strong physically. That is going to be a difficult match.”
Strong in defence and blessed with gifted forwards in Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri, and a fine striker in Karim Benzema, France should be favourites, particularly as England are depleted by injuries and Wayne Rooney’s suspension.
Blanc recognises, however, that nothing can be taken for granted in clashes between such old enemies.
“England will give everything because, when there are French against English, it raises the game above the normal international match,” he said. “But we don’t fear them more than any other team.”
Despite being without striker Rooney for their first two games, as well as injured defender Gary Cahill and midfielders Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry, England are determined to progress and justify their FIFA ranking as the fourth best team in Europe and sixth in the world. England’s best showing at the European Championship was as losing semifinalists at home in 1996. After two wins in warm-ups under Hodgson, they enter the tournament with confidence.
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