Match Preview
France face Albania today at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, as Les Bleus look to book their place in the knockout phase of UEFA Euro 2016. The French team’s performance in their opening football match was far from perfect, but a moment of magic from Dimitri Payet won them the crucial 3 points. He could not contain his emotions as he left the field, which showed how much Payet and the rest of the French team wants to win Euro 2016 on home soil in front of their fans. Albania lost their opening group match to the Switzerland 1-0. They can take heart from the fact that they managed to restrict the Swiss from scoring another goal, playing with 10 men for 54 minutes of the match. A French win will take them to the knockout stages, whereas another defeat for Albania will make life very hard for them.
France wasn’t really convincing in their first match, but a win is all that matters. The three points were crucial, and the late winner will pump up the players. However, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba weren’t at their best and neither was Giroud, who missed a lot of chances. Didier Deschamp might think of playing Martial in place of Griezmann, as the 19-year-old had an impressive first season at Manchester United. With his speed and dribbling skills, he can cause a lot of problems for the opposition defenders.
N’Golo Kante was fantastic in the match against Romania, covering every blade of grass on the field. Koscienly is expected to start with Adil Rami at the heart of France’s defense, despite their shaky partnership. The French team is far stronger on paper, but they wouldn’t be too complacent, as the Albanians defeated the French team 1-0, in an international friendly, exactly a year back. France would be looking to make it two wins out of two, and qualify for the knockouts with a game in hand.
Albania fought hard but could not avoid defeat at the hands of Switzerland, and they desperately need at least a point from this game if they are to give themselves a chance to qualify. It will not be easy against a strong French side, and adding to Albania’s problem would be the absence of their captain, Lorik Cana. Hysaj will be a crucial member of Albania’s defence, in the absence of their captain.
Albania will look to sit deep and try to pounce on the counter, whenever they can. Koscienly and Rami’s partnership in the French defense has been poor, and the Albanians will look to exploit that. Albanian goalkeeper, Etrit Berisha, was at fault for the goal Albania conceded, but he made up for it quickly, by pulling off some brilliant saves. He saved two one on one’s against Haris Seferovic, and kept Albania in the game till the end. Taulant Xhaka will be the key player in Albania’s midfield.
France are clear favourites to win the match against Albania, but the Albanians will be looking to cause an upset. This is a big chance for the hosts to secure progress from the group stages.
Team News
Didier Deschamp is not expected to make any changes to the France team that played Romania in the opening night of the Euros.
Albanian captain, Lorik Cana will not be a part of today’s match, after he was sent off against Switzerland.
Predicted Line-Ups
France(4-3-3): Lloris, Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Giroud, Payet
Albania(4-3-3): Berisha, Hysaj, Cana, Mavraj, Agolli, Abrashi, Kukeli, Xhaka, Roshi, Sadiku, Lenjani.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date and Time: June 16, 2016 – 12:30 AM (IST)
Live Telecast: Live telecast on Sony Six, Sony Six HD, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD.
Venue: Stade Velodrome in Marseille
Live Stream info: Live stream will be on Sony LIV.
