France v England [Euro 2012 Group D]
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Venue - Donbass Arena, Donetsk
Live Streams - http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...66&part=sports
France coach Laurent Blanc is unlikely to risk midfielder Yann M'Vila against England as deputies Alou Diarra and Blaise Matuidi have recovered well from respective knee and hamstring problems.
M'Vila has struggled with a thigh injury but otherwise Blanc has had few fresh concerns to deal with since Loic Remy dropped out of the squad with a thigh problem of his own at the end of May.
Karim Benzema will start ahead of Olivier Giroud in attack following his dazzling display in Les Bleus' final pre-tournament friendly against Estonia. Philippe Mexes is likely to retain his place despite pressure from backup Laurent Koscielny.
Several questions of strategy, form and fitness still surround England manager Roy Hodgson's team selection. John Terry returned to training on Thursday following a hamstring complain and should start alongside Joleon Lescott in central defense, with Phil Jagielka waiting in the wings.
At the opposite end of the pitch, both Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck have staked claims to the lone striking role, with Wayne Rooney suspended. Welbeck scored in the Three Lions' last friendly against Belgium, but Hodgson may be tempted to make use of Carroll's height and power.
On the right flank, James Milner is almost certain to start, while Stewart Downing could be preferred to the more attacking but perhaps less disciplined Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- France beat England 2-1 in their opening match of Euro 2004, the last competitive meeting between the two countries. Zinedine Zidane scored an injury-time double after Frank Lampard had headed England ahead.
- Their only other European Championship finals meeting was a goalless draw in Malmo at Euro 92.
- France are unbeaten in five matches against England (W4, D1), and have won the last three. Their last defeat was at Le Tournoi on 7 June 1997, when Alan Shearer scored the only goal.
France
- Laurent Blanc could emulate Germany's Berti Vogts, the only man to win the European Championship as both player and coach (in 1972 and 1996).
- Les Bleus have claimed just two points from six group matches at the last two major tournaments.
- France scored 15 times in qualifying - Greece (14) are the only side at Euro 2012 who netted fewer. The Danes and the Czech Republic also scored 15, with the Czechs' tally including three play-off goals.
- Karim Benzema has scored more goals (seven) and recorded more assists (five) than any other French player since Blanc took over.
- In 202 minutes of football for France, Olivier Giroud has delivered three assists and scored one goal.
- Only five of the French squad featured at Euro 2008.
England
- England have played in the most European Championships (seven) without managing to win the tournament. They have also been eliminated in the group stage four times, more than anyone else.
- They have failed to win their opening match in all seven previous European Championships (D3, L4). They have lost the last two - 3-2 v Portugal in 2000 and 2-1 v France in 2004.
- Manager Roy Hodgson has faced France once before in international football. His Switzerland side won 2-1 against them in a friendly match in Lausanne in May 1992.
- Sixteen of the 19 goals that England have scored since the turn of 2011 have come in the opening hour.
- John Terry and Joleon Lescott have started just two games together for England - both wins against Andorra in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
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Originally Posted by gerragher
