Laurent Blanc has played against Ukraine’s hitman http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan and the France manager knows very well what to expect from the 35-year-old
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 are aiming to keep Ukraine’s experienced striker Andriy Shevchenko quiet and Laurent Blanc knows how to achieve that feat. The Frenchman has faced Shevchenko several times while playing for France and Inter Milan.
While talking to French media, Blanc shed some light on his personal experience of playing against Shevchenko who is in twilight of his career.
“I know Shevchenko well, I played against him and he was difficult to mark,”
“I was not always happy at the end of the games. He is in great form, but he needs a bit of space to show it.”
According to Blanc, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 are lucky to have a player like Shevchenko in their ranks. And the Frenchman is hoping that the presence of Shevchenko would bring out the best from his players, who are relatively unknown at the international arena.
“Great players like Shevchenko are always there on big occasions. If we have great players, they will have to prove it tomorrow because we must win.”
Andriy Shevchenko is set to retire from international football after Euro 2012, and the national hero is hoping for a glorious end to his international career with a podium finish in the competition. Shevchenko and co. will enter in the ground against France
knowing that a victory would send them into the quarter-finals of the tournament.
A defeat for France would send them on the brink of an exit from another major tournament. Les Bleus have failed to get past through first round of last three major championships. However, Laurent Blanc is confident that his team has the players and capability
to cope with the threat Ukraine pose.
Les Bleus have faced Oleh Blokhin’s men 6 times, and France have never lost to Ukraine in those matches. The Frenchman stressed that his side has a massive respect for Ukraine team but Les Bleus will play without fear against Zhovto-Blakytni.
“I heard the Ukraine coach [Oleg Blokhin] said he did not fear France. He can rest assured; we do not fear Ukraine either, but we respect them,”
On a question of possible line-up against Ukraine, Blanc stated that the line-up has not been finalised yet, and the final line-up will be declared after several considerations, especially keeping in mind the soaring heat with the temperatures likely to
hit 35°C mark.
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