Why France are not to be underestimated in EURO 2012

Everyone seems to have forgotten the period of dominance by the French national team from 1998-2006 which consisted of France’s golden generation from the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and much, much more. Post 2006 WC campaign, it has been a rough ride for the French. The lackluster exit from the group stages in EURO 2008 to the infamous 2010 World Cup campaign filled with plenty of internal problems are the highlights of their beleaguered campaign. However, under their new coach post the 2010 World Cup, Laurent Blanc, France have experienced a dramatic change of fortunes and having qualified for EURO 2012, are more than certainly one of the tournament dark horses not to be underestimated.

Blanc – looking to lead France back to the glory days.

The first stage of progress for France came in the form of Raymond Domenech leaving his post – while he did reach the final of the 2006 World Cup, the next two international tournaments were disasters with Domenech making a lot of questionable (and rather stupid) decisions, including the exclusion of Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema from his World Cup squad in South Africa.

With Blanc however, there is no favoritism or bias, he selects players based on their form, not reputation or his personal preferences – while Blanc did lose his first game in charge to Norway (considering absentees in the suspended World Cup squad team), his record has been quite phenomenal for France as he has only lost twice out of 19 games in charge.

Of those 19 games, included France topping their EURO 2012 qualifying group as well as friendly wins over England and Brazil. France also went on to score 27 goals while conceding just 8 along the way.

“This is a strong football nation, we always have been. There was a restructuring carried about after 1998, and they looked at everything we did, right back to training and development. Now that work is paying off, but we must still strive to find a team spirit.“

“I will select the group [EURO 2012 squad] in two stages, starting with the players in France and those who are abroad whose season finishes later.“

“The two lists will make 23. I think it is difficult to have a group of more than 23 and then subtract. I experienced 1998. The best solution is to tell the truth from the start and then everybody knows where they stand. We will try to be consistent and play our cards on the table.” —– Laurent Blanc.

Remy, Benzema and Nasri are now key men for France.

So why exactly are les Bleus capable of being EURO 2012′s dark horses?

- Smart, organized and tactically astute manager in Blanc.

- France are now brewing into a young and talented team with plenty of successors to the aging golden generation.

- An in-form and much more complete as a footballer, Karim Benzema spearheading the attack.

- Vastly talented players of the likes of Gourcuff, Sakho, Mandada, Mexes, Valbuena, Diaby, Kaboul, Gonalons, Clichy, Gomis and Giroud, whom might not even make the starting eleven which only means more strength in depth.

- France play attacking football with flair which could very well challenge the likes of possession retaining, Spain for example.

- While they aren’t currently world beaters, Brazil and England are still top sides and were brushed away by France which shows what they’re capable of.

Pretty strong France team in a 4-3-3 formation.

Going by current form, this is how I feel the France starting eleven setup will look – Hugo Lloris is the current undisputed number one in goal while the same could be said for Bacary Sagna.

Adil Rami and Laurent Koscielny have both been superb for their respective clubs and consistent at that, which is why I feel they’ll edge the likes of Kaboul, Mexes and Sakho.

Abidal is a no brainer – he is the first choice left-back at the best club in the world in Barcelona and Clichy isn’t as talented as him. As with Evra, he is still coming to terms with the team after leading protests in the 2010 World Cup and isn’t likely to be first choice either way.

While he hasn’t had the type of season at club level he may have desired, Samir Nasri is still one of the best creative midfielders not only in France, but in the world and he has been instrumental in France qualifying for EURO 2012. Yoann Cabaye has had a brilliant season with Newcastle up till now and with a hard man in the middle in Yann M’Vila, both Nasri and Cabaye will be able to initiate attacks and thread through-balls to their maximum potential.

Benzema is without doubt, the best striker France have at their disposal and after the season he’s having with Real Madrid, even Domenech wouldn’t be foolish enough to not pick him. Supporting Benzema in attack would be another in-form striker, Loic Remy who has been likened to Thierry Henry, as well as Franck Ribery.

With a good 4 months to go before the EUROs, anything can happen – injuries, blips in form, the emergence of new players but whatever the team may be, it sure will be an exciting one and with French football on the up, fans of France can expect great things this summer – they are more than capable of winning it and beating the likes of Holland, Germany and Spain en route. France are certainly not to be underestimated.