MARTIN KEOWN
BIG MATCH ANALYSIS
WITH the likes of Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Antoine Griezmann, France have an embarrassment of riches. I can’t wait to see them in action when Euro 2016 gets under way tonight. How will Romania cope with the attacking threat posed by Didier Deschamps’ side?
MIDFIELD TRIO ARE KEY
THE midfield three of Matuidi, Pogba and N’Golo Kante are the core of this team and are formidable both with and without possession. When they have the ball each player can make something happen and when they don’t, they get around the pitch so quickly and strangle teams in possession. These three make it very difficult for opponents to create any space in the middle of the pitch. France now have a midfield as strong as the one which included Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane and was so crucial in winning the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000.
GIROUD CAN THRIVE
FRANCE are spoilt for choice when it comes to runners supporting the attack and this will help Olivier Giroud (right). Powerful runners such as Pogba, Griezmann and Matuidi charging forward will create more space than the Arsenal striker is used to in the Premier League. With the calibre of players around him Giroud will get plenty of chances to score and he could end up winning the Golden Boot. Giroud should get plenty of assists, too, as he can lay the ball off to supporting midfielders.
CHIRICHES MUST SHINE
ALTHOUGH they conceded just twice in their 10 qualifiers, the Romania defence will have to be on top form against the attacking talent of France. A great deal rests on the shoulders of Vlad Chiriches as the former Tottenham centre back will have to marshal the back four, ensuring his team-mates are in the right positions. Chiriches must make sure the Romanian defenders work as a unit as they will struggle in one-on-one situations.
DON’T FORGET MARTIAL!
GIVEN the strength of this team, Anthony Martial unlikely to start, but even if he only features from the bench the Manchester United forward has a knack of making an impression in every game. He has been away from France for a year and will be desperate to show just how good he has become. Martial, 20, always seems to be in control on the left flank and shows such intelligence in how he links up with the attack.