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Euro 2008 Pre-match Analysis: Romania vs France Live Online

June 8, 2008

European Championships, Group C
Teams: Romania vs. France
Date & Time: Monday 9 June, 18:00 CET
Venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zürich
Match Official: Manuel Mejuto González (Spain)

Group C, the “Group of Death”, begins in Zurich on Tuesday afternoon when Romania meets France. With both sides looking to start the tournament on a positive note; particularly as Italy and the Netherlands lay waiting.

Romania aim to avoid early exit

Even the country that brought the legend of Dracula to the world could not have envisaged such a nightmarish draw at the European Championships. If Group C is considered the “Group of Death” then many believed rigor mortis had set in on Romania’s challenge when the draw was made last December.

Captain Christian Chivu thinks that this attitude may play into the Romanian’s hands explaining that, “Our opponents respect us, but probably think we have no chance of qualifying. It will be an advantage for us to start out in the fringes, as we can count on the element of surprise.”

The Inter Milan defender is not the only member of the Romanian contingent that remains upbeat over their chances of making progress. Head coach Victor Piţurcă has also been remarkably bullish over his side’s chances stating that, “If the players are healthy and at a high physical and psychological level, they can achieve a lot.”“We can reach the final, even win it, but we could also lose all our matches. At this level everything can happen.”Romania out-qualified Group C opponents the Netherlands, beating them in Constanta less than twelve months ago.

Unlike the French, Romania has kept their pre-tournament warm-up matches to a minimal, playing only one friendly match. Montenegro were hammered 4-0 last week by a powerful Romanian side. Montenegro is hardly a formidable opponent and therefore must be seem as a mock test that does not prepare the Romanians for the real test on Monday in Zurich.

One of the goal scorers from that match, Adrian Mutu has dubbed Group C as “the hardest group ever” and will recognise that there will be a massive step up in class from Romania’s sole friendly and with the summer upon us; schools out and the Romanian team might be in for summer lessons.

An experienced Romanian squad should not be dismissed lightly and there is a great deal of international know-how in the team, with Mutu leading their attack, they possess a striker with a fine pedigree at this level. If Chivu, Contra and others can adequately organise their defence then the French could be in for the shock of their lives and the tournament.

France ready to stamp authority on Euro

Two weeks of preparation will finally be examined on Monday when France will kick their Euro2008 campaign off against Romania in Zurich. Going into the game off the back of three strong friendly results, if not performances, against South American opposition the World Cup finalists will start as favorites to take all three points. Preparations have gone relatively well for Raymond Domenech’s men. A 2-0 victory over Ecuador was followed by a scoreless draw with Paraguay and then a narrow 1-0 triumph over Colombia.

It has now been four entire matches since les Bleus gave up a goal, although their defensive unit did look vulnerable at times during moments of their friendly games that may have highlighted France’s weaknesses as well as their strengths. Domenech will have decisions to make regarding his back four. Most pertinently the form of right-back Willy Sagnol has been well below his best and with the Lyon full-back François Clerc lurking on the sidelines ready for a call to arms, Sagnol maybe sitting this one out.

The defensive unit of the French side has remained relatively unchanged for several years now. William Gallas and Lillian Thuram guard the centre of the French defence stoically while Patrick Vieira and Claude Makélélé patrol, and generally dominate, the centre of midfield. This forms the core of their dominance even with the absence of Zidane.

But there will be no Vieira against Romania should reports be believed. The Inter Milan midfielder has picked up a thigh strain and, although he has returned to training, will not be risked on Monday. Jérémy Toulalan will have a chance to make an impression in the centre of the field.

Domenech is also concerned about the fitness of Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, who missed both of the team’s training sessions on Friday. Medical staff treating the Barcelona forward has managed to keep particularly quiet about the nature of the injury although it is not thought to be a lasting one.

With the Netherlands and Italy to come a repeat of their Euro ’96 opener against Romania would be most welcome. France won courtesy of a Christophe Dugarry’s goal to win 1-0 in Newcastle.

A Look at the Teams

Romania

Romania suffered a few pre-tournament blows with the news that reserve goalkeeper Danut Conman and squad midfielder Ovidiou Petre would miss the entire competition due to injury. Since arriving in Switzerland the fortunes of Piţurcă’s side has improved drastically.

Dorin Goian remains a slight doubt but should feature in the centre of defence after the initial prognosis was that he would miss the Romanian’s opening fixture. Meanwhile Stefan Radu may well drop to the bench after contracting the flu. In attack Stuttgart’s Ciprian Marica is likely to be favoured over Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Marius Niculae.

Predicted line-up: Labont; Contra, Rat, Goian, Cristian Chivu; Radoi, Dica, Petra; Mutu, Marica

France

Last Tuesday’s friendly may have proven to be a draining experience for the French despite Domenech’s original assertions that his squad had picked up no injuries. Key attacking players Thierry Henry and Franck Ribéry who both form the core of the attacking unit acquired bumps in that fixture that have caused them to miss training; however it is the fitness of the Henry that remains in great doubt. Henry has been the only member of les Bleus’ squad to miss every session in Switzerland to date and is a very significant doubt.

With the attacking talent at Domenech’s disposal the Barcelona forward may be rested on the bench allowing Anelka to start alongside Benzema. Alternatively Benzema could start alone at the head of a 4-2-3-1 system. Patrick Vieira has been ruled out of France’s opener despite training with increasing confidence while Samir Nasri has struggled with illness but should be able to play a part.

Predicted line-up: Coupet; Sagnol, Abidal, Gallas, Thuram; Toulalan, Makélélé, Ribéry, Malouda; Anelka, Benzema

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Romania

The Romanian squad arguably looks weak when placed in comparison to their Group C counterparts, but with a great deal of organisation and resilience they could disrupt France. Key to their defensive line will be Inter Milan stopper Christian Chivu, who also doubles up as Romania’s captain. With over 50 caps to his name the well rounded defender can play either at the heart or on the left of what is likely to be a back five.

France

Said to be the player to replace Zidane, it seems like taking an easy option but Franck Ribéry is absolutely vital to the French cause. A winger that plays at a consistently high level with Bayern Munich can sometimes seem like the only player in the blue of France capable of breaking down stubborn defences. In recent friendlies he has been France’s stand-out player and if les Bleus are to make a great impression on the tournament then the exciting attacking-midfielder will have to be at his very very best. The crafty midfielder could inspire his team to a victory with his speed and skill.

PREDICTION

Labelled by many as pre-tournament favourites, France have often found it difficult to break down obstinate defences in recent fixtures. Romania will wish to follow the model displayed by Paraguay as they earned a scoreless draw in Toulouse little over a week ago. While this is not a far-fetched possibility by any means France’s tournament experience may just prove decisive in a tight match.

Romania 0-2 France

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