England open their Euro 2012 campaign against traditional rivals France in a repeat of the two teams’ opening fixture at Euro 2004 under a cloud of uncertainty that is hanging over Roy Hodgson’s men in the Ukraine. France, under Laurent Blanc, are the clear favourites going into the clash at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena on Monday. Yet the English media hopes that a tight defensive set up of England, in addition to Hodgson’s immense managerial acumen, would neutralise French attacking prowess and achieve an outstanding result. No doubt England are the underdogs going into the clash given all the injury problems that Roy Hodgson’s short tenure has had to withstand so far. Yet, the English have the mental capacity to frustrate a free flowing Les Blues side in Donetsk.
Pedigree
France
The French are playing in their sixth successive European Championships and they have a pedigree to envy. Winners in 1984 on home soil and in 2000 in Holland and Belgium fresh after winning the World Cup two years back, Les Blues are one of the contenders for Euro 2012. Michel Platini, the best of the best the country has ever produced, led France to their maiden international tournament victory in 1984 on home soil and would be the man watching from the stands as the head of UEFA. He would be hoping dearly that as the president of the continent’s governing body, he get the privilege to hand over the Henri Delauney trophy to Hugo Lloris in Kiev on July 1.
England
The Three Lions have a disappointing pedigree at the European Championships with just two semi-final appearances to show for, in 1968 and 1996. They are the only European winners of the World Cup who are yet lay their hands on the Henri Delauney trophy. England had failed to qualify for Euro 2008, having had a disappointing qualifying campaign that saw their hopes vaporize by technically efficient Croatia and Russia with the former picking up wins home and away to condemn Steve McLaren’s side to third place in qualifying. Any hope of a better show in Euro 2012 has already diminished with injuries to key players prior to the finals. But one thing is for sure. The travelling England fans would be making it difficult for opponents inside the stadiums on England match days.
Head to Head
Generally speaking, England have a decent record against France, having won 16 times in 28 games with 8 losses and four draws. But the last few matches between the two nations have seen Les Blues dominate their rivals from across the Channel. England suffered defeat to France the last time they met at the European Championships with two late Zinedine Zidane goals deciding the tie in their Euro 2004 opener in Portugal, after Frank Lampard had given the Three Lions the lead. The last two international friendlies have seen France win 1-0 at home in 2008 and prevailing 2-1 on Nov, 2010 at Wembley.
Current form
France qualified for Euro 2012 just ahead of a young and vibrant Bosnia side after starting the campaign amidst all the ruckus surrounding the team’s World Cup debacle in 2010. After losing the first game at home to Belarus in Laurent Blanc’s first competitive game in charge of the national side, France produced a masterclass performance in Bosnia that ignited a French renaissance that is in the course of coming full circle in Poland and Ukraine with many pundits tipping them to reach the very summit of Euro 2012. Les Blues are on a 20-match unbeaten streak with recent victories over Brazil and Germany making them one of the teams to watch out for.
Last five matches
France- W W W W D
Jun 5, 2012
France 4- Estonia 0
INF
May 31, 2012
France 2- Serbia 0
INF
May 27, 2012
France 3- Iceland 2
INF
Feb 29, 2012
Germany 1- France 2
INF
Nov 15, 2011
France 0- Belgium 0
INF
England qualified strongly from their group, having ended Group G as winners with five wins and three draws in their eight games. Yet an unfortunate turn of incident at the start of the year diminished English chances of a strong, consistent showing at Euro 2012 after Fabio Capello put in his papers and the FA had to wait for the end of the club season to appoint Roy Hodgson as the new manager. The former Liverpool manager though, has provided a solid look to the side albeit in only his two matches as the man at the top. Injuries haven’t helped although the Three Lions look an organised unit at the back as two typically old fashioned 1-0 friendly wins against Norway and Belgium would testify.
Last five matches
England- W W L W W
Jun 2, 2012
England 1- Belgium 0
INF
May 26, 2012
Norway 0- England 1
INF
Feb 29, 2012
England 2- Netherlands 3
INF
Nov 15, 2011
England 1- Sweden 0
INF
Nov 11, 2011
England 1- Spain 0
INF
Possible team line-ups
In all probability, England would go into the match with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Manchester United‘s Ashley Young to play as a supporting forward or winger behind either Danny Welbeck or Andy Carroll. The midfield looks settled though, with captain Steven Gerrard and Tottenham’s Scott Parker enjoying deep lying central roles with Theo Walcott and Stewart Downing offering pace down the flanks. James Milner, though, could be in for a starting berth in a bid to give more width and physical toughness to England’s wing play. Joe Hart is the automatic goalkeeping choice and although Joleon Lescott and John Terry would be playing together for the first time in the centre of defence, no one could deny the experience and physical resistance these two men would offer to Roy Hodgson. Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are the automatic choices for the full back spots.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defence: Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole
Midfield: Theo Walcott/James Milner, Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, Stewart Downing
Forward: Ashley Young, Andy Carroll/Danny Welbeck
France coach Laurent Black prefers a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, with added emphasis on his centre forward play. The back line is settled with captain Hugo Lloris the automatic choice for the goalkeeping slot. Adil Rami, Philippe Mexes, Mathieu Debuchy and Manchester United captain Patrice Evra the preferred choice to start as the back four, although some in the French media are calling upon the coach to give Arsenal‘s Laurent Koscielny a look out as well as Gael Clichy. The midfield is tremendously rich in talent yet Laurent Blanc has suffered a setback as preferred first choice Yann M’Vila is missing the game and would be replaced by Alou Diarra. The real venom would be coming from Yohann Cabaye, Samir Nasri, Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery who would be looking to feed the man to watch out for Karim Benzema up front as France look to launch an early assault on Euro 2012. The midfield is full of competition in the French team, as all the players do have substantial claims for starting berths and that is a wonderful problem to have as a coach. Hatem Ben Arfa had been superb for Newcastle this season as were Jeremy Menez and Marvin Martin. No doubt all will be given chances to shine throughout the course of the tournament.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Defence: Mathieu debuchy, Adil Rami, Philippe Mexes , Patrice Evra
France will go into the match as clear favourites with added emphasis on possession play and a fine passing play. But in Roy Hodgson, Lauren Blanc will come up against a man who is expert in grinding out unexpected results against technically gifted teams. England will not play a pretty game, but with a clear objective to frustrate the French and hit them with a dazzling counter attacking central midfield play with help from the flanks. If England can keep France at bay for the first twenty or thirty minutes, then anything is possible as Denmark have shown us yesterday.
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