Les Bleus kick start their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign when they face Mixu Paatelainen’s side at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium
France have been placed in Group I of the European World Cup qualification, a group which contains the likes of reigning World Champions, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Georgia-c2903 and tonight’s opponents Finland.
After crashing out of this summer’s European Championships in a forgettable manner, Les Bleus will be looking to make a bright start to the qualification campaign starting with a tough game against the Finns who traditionally do well at home.
The game will be new manager, Didier Deschamps’ first test as Les Bleus’ manager and the former World Cup winner will be looking to make sure that his side comes good when tonight’s referee, Mr Craig Thomson (a solicitor by trade), blows the final whistle.
The Scot is a no-nonsense referee which means that Deschamps charges will have to make sure that their temper does not fly.
In their second game of the qualification campaign, Les Bleus face http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belarus-c2849 who have historically done well against the French in recent years. So, a win in Helsinki tonight could go a long way in letting the world know just how far the current French side
can go under the tutelage of Didier Deschamps.
A few changes here and there
Since he took over reins of the national side, Deschamps has slowly started giving acknowledgment to those players who were more or less ignored by his predecessors (Laurent Blanc and Raymond Domenech).
All-Ligue 1 defence
Lille star, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 are
also in the squad, Didier Deschamps has chosen to make a few changes to the starting XI by choosing to start with Montpellier Herault star, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mamadou-Sakho-c23293.
The duo has played regularly for their respective clubs so far this season which is the reason why DD has chosen to give them the nod ahead of two defenders who are likely to represent Les Bleus more regularly once they get back to full fitness.
“It was a difficult choice,” admits Deschamps. “It’s a question of rhythm, of having played competitive matches. Perhaps I wouldn’t have had the same line of argument if I didn’t have to win the game. At the top level, physical condition is important and
they played together on 15 August. I don’t have a million options either. There’s no reason for them to be worried though.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christophe-Jallet-c9179 or Anthony Reveillere.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350 will most likely play as a lone striker.
Nordic ambitions
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 and Spain.
Alexander Ring of Borussia Monchengladbach and Ermenko brothers from Rubin Kazan would be the key players for the Eagle-Owls tonight.
Although Finland might not be favourites to win the group, their home form should be used as a motivation. In their last five games at the Olympic Stadium, the Finns have lost just once. However, Finland have to be wary about the fact that they have never
beaten the French.
Probable starting XI
Finland
Hradecky
Toivio, Pasanen, Moisander, Arkivou
Ring, R Eremenko, Sparv,
A Eremenko
Pukki, Kuqi
France
Lloris
Réveillère, Sakho, Yanga-Mbiwa, Evra
Diaby, Cabaye, Mavuba,
Menez, Benzema, Ribery
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