Laurent Blanc has not ruled out making a few changes to his starting XI as Les Bleus face Sweden against whom a draw may be enough to secure qualification to the quarterfinal stages
France are set to face Sweden in the last group game of the Euros. Les Bleus are on the brink of qualification to the second round of the competition and know that they have a great chance to right the wrongs of a disastrous 2010 World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/South-Africa-c757.
The French nation still hasn’t forgotten about what happened two years ago and are still finding it hard to put their trust on the players. A few days ago, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 admitted that the fans are still not able to come to terms with the team so it is every
player’s responsibility to make them believe again.
Les Bleus are not closer to making history in terms of the Euros but know that progression to the knockout phases of the competition is exactly what the team needs to banish ghosts of the past.
Beat Sweden avoid Spain
Though a point may be enough to secure qualification, Laurent Blanc knows that beating Sweden would put France in a better position. The team that finishes second in Group D will face reigning European and World Champions Spain. Blanc wants to avoid http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011
so early in the competition and has stressed the need to finish the group stages on top.
And midfielder Yohan Cabaye also knows the importance of winning against a Sweden side that would be desperate to leave Ukraine on a strong not after they were condemned to an early exit from the tournament following a 3-2 defeat at the hands of England.
“We’ll have to give everything against Sweden so that we win and stay in first place,” said the Newcastle United man.
All about honour
Sweden captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749.
Sweden came close to beating England a few nights back but a late surge from the Three Lions courtesy http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Welbeck-c10233 saw Roy Hodgson’s men beat Sweden in a competitive game for the first time in almost 40 years.
And Ibrahimovic says that when his team takes on the field for one last time at the European Championship, it will be all about regaining lost honour. The Swede’s pride is hurt and he is keen on bowing out in style.
“We’ll be playing for our honour. We want to take some points home with us. To motivate ourselves for the France team isn’t a problem. We have one more match to do something good. France has to win, we’ll just go out and play.”
Team News
France
France manager Laurent Blanc has hinted that he might rest a few players for the last group game but following Spain’s win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Del Bosque’s men on top of the table, the Cevennes native might reconsider his stance.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032.
Yann M’Vila played some part in the win over Ukraine and might replace http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231 to start at the left-back position.
Sweden
For http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 manager Erik Hamren has already hinted that he will reshuffle the old guard after the tournament and could field a more youthful defence in the
World Cup qualifying campaign that starts later this year.
Predictions
France will be looking to go all out attack against a Swedish side whose defence has shown a lot of frailties in the two games. Though Sweden would love to leave the tournament on a strong note, it seems that Hamren’s men will be up against it tonight.
Predicted final score: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 2-0 Sweden
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