Agence France-Presse
Paris, June 9: A blighted build-up dominated by off-field controversy and untimely injuries comes to an end for hosts France when they finally get Euro 2016 underway against Romania in Group A at the Stade de France Friday.
Les Bleus’ preparations on the field have been distracted by claims from Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema that his exclusion from the squad was racially motivated. Benzema hasn’t played for Les Bleus since October last year after becoming embroiled in a sex-tape blackmail scandal that targeted then international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Coach Didier Deschamps’ defensive options are severely depleted as Raphael Varane was ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury while Jeremy Mathieu also had to withdraw from the squad and Mamadou Sakho wasn’t included following his provisional ban from UEFA for doping. Lassana Diarra, Kurt Zouma and Mathieu Debuchy are also sidelined. Deschamps has acknowledged he never imagined being hit with such headaches even just a few weeks ago.
“Everything that has happened to us since the squad was announced May 12, honestly, even in my worst nightmares I don’t think I could have imagined it,” Deschamps told Wednesday.
Yet, expectations are still high that a team boasting the precocious young talents of the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Antoine Griezmann can repeat the feats of the French sides of 1998 and 1984 in winning the World Cup and Euros respectively on home soil.
However, Deschamps’ men are in fine form, winning nine of their last 10 matches over the past year with their only defeat coming to England when minds were focused elsewhere just days after the November Paris terror attacks.
Romania’s hopes of springing a huge surprise will be based around a solid defence as they reached a first major tournament in eight years with the best defensive record in qualifying.
Anghel Iordanescu’s men conceded just twice in 10 matches. However, without the star quality of a Gheorge Hagi or Adrian Mutu as in years gone by, Romania also struggled mightily for goals in qualifying, scoring just 11 times. They would be delighted to frustrate the hosts before later games against Albania and Switzerland.
