France Vs http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bosnia-and-Herzegovina-c2856: Euro 2012 Qualification match
Stade de France, France will see France play host to high-flying Bosnia and Herzegovina in a vital Group D game of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Ukraine and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032. After nine games, Les Bleus are on top of the standings with 20 points
while Bosnia are breathing down their necks with 19 points from nine games.
A draw would be enough for Laurent Blanc’s men to secure automatic qualification which would mean that the Zmajevi (dragons) will have to reach the tournament via a two-legged playoff. Consequently, a win at the Stade de France will take Safet Sušić’s men
to the European Championships which would be a great achievement for the team.
One last game
After a tricky start to his reign as manager of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 with a French side that
was surrounded with so much controversy in the ongoing year.
Furthermore, the French players should have a psychological edge over their Bosnian opponents who they defeated in Sarajevo 2-0 last September in the two sides’ first meeting of the Group D.
Laurent Blanc would be comforted by the fact that Les Bleus have not lost a home game in the month of October for 18 years. The last time this happened was back in 1993, when France lost to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Israel-c2925 3-2 in Paris in a World Cup qualifying match.
Though Laurent Blanc knows that a draw would be enough to take his team through, the Frenchman is adamant that his side will play for a draw.
We will not be playing for a draw even if a 0-0 scoreline suits us. There are still 90 minutes to play, plus stoppage time. I hope and Safet Susic agrees, that the team that plays the most football on the night wins,” said the French tactician while talking
to the media.
Up against it
The Bosnian side has done extremely when in recent seasons but the Dragons would surely be up against it as they face a French side oozing with confidence at their own backyard. Though Susic’s men lost 2-0 at home to France, Bosnia are a formidable opponent
for any side in the world and will certainly push Blanc’s men to the limit.
Apparently, history is against the so called minnows of Group D but the likes of Eden Dzeko and former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miralem-Pjanic-c25984 would be looking to drive Bosnians for an historic victory against one of Europe’s most successful teams.
Team news
France
Laurent Blanc is once again short of key players as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adil-Rami-c3639 picked up knocks against Albania but will feature. The trio featured in the 3-0 win over Albania on Friday and would be sorely missed. Paris Saint-Germain striker
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 is also unlikely to feature after the Spanish giants asked France not to consider him for the last two qualification games.
Possible starting XI
Lloris (c); Réveillère, Rami, Abidal, Evra; M'Vila, Cabaye; Valbuena, Nasri, Malouda; Rémy
Bosnia
Susic on the other hand, has the luxury of fielding a fully-fit side with Manchester City striker Eden Dzeko likely to spearhead the attack. Emphasis would be put on Miralem Pjanic of AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 who will be looking to play against some of his former colleagues
at Lyon.
Possible starting XI
Hasagic; Mujdza, Spahic (c), Pandza, Papac; Rahimic, Zahirovic; Pjanic, Medunjanin, Lulic; Dzeko
Predictions
Though France are playing at home and have not lost in the month of October for 18 years, Bosnia could possibly prove to be a tougher opponent than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Albania-c2834. A draw seems to be the most likely outcome which would mean that Bosnia will have to qualify for
Euro 2012 via a two-legged playoff.
Predicted final score: France 1-1 Bosnia
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