We have got it Ol to do

HITMAN’S BLEUS WARNING

OLIVIER GIROUD insists France’s track record means they cannot afford to take Australia lightly today.

Les Bleus are among the favourites to win the World Cup ahead of their curtain-raiser against the Socceroos in Kazan.

But France have bitter memories of previous tournament openers.

They famously lost to Senegal in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup when they were defending champions.

And they were also held to a goalless draw by Uruguay in 2010, before losing to Mexico in the next group game.

Chelsea star Giroud said: “We need to remember history. And Australia has players who play in some of the biggest

leagues in the world, from CHRIS HATHERALL in MOSCOW

including the Premier League, and that gives their team a higher level.

“They will not be easy. If you look only at statistics, then we are favourites, but it’s the first match of the group and that always generates more anxiety and nerves. That’s what we have to avoid.”

France go into the tournament on a high having qualified with ease after finishing as runners-up in Euro 2016 on home soil.

Defeat in the final to Portugal still hurts but Giroud, who has recovered from a head injury to be fit for the game against Australia, believes that they are ready to go one better this time.

Nerves

He added: “We want to do even better but we can’t talk too much.

“Our first goal is to win the opening game and to leave our nerves in the dressing room. That’s important. If we can start well, it would mean a lot. “In these type of matches the key is to score the first goal and not allow the opponent to gain confidence. That will be on our minds.” Veteran forward Tim Cahill, 38, is gearing up for his fourth finals before bowing out of international duty with Australia.

He wants to go out with a bang and said: “I’ve put so much effort into being here. To get on the pitch is some step, but to score would be amazing.”