Injury-hit England go into Euro 2012 with reduced expectations but will still be under the microscope when they face France in their Group D opener in Donetsk on Monday (England 2/1, Draw 11/5, France 6/4).
Regardless of the lack of expectation around the country before the tournament, England will still be criticised if they fail to make the last eight, something new boss Roy Hodgson is fully aware of.
Hodgson, who led England to consecutive 1-0 victories in his first two games in charge, was quoted as saying “it could be the most terrific three weeks or the most torrid of my career” ahead of Monday’s clash at the Donbass Arena.
Much of England’s build up has been overshadowed by the Rio Ferdinand saga. The Manchester United defender’s omission from the squad has received plenty of media coverage, with many experts miffed by the decision.
Hodgson has defended his call, saying he has plenty of options in central defence and would not take Ferdinand to Poland and Ukraine to be a bit-part player.
The show must go on without the 33-year-old, as well as the likes of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry. Wayne Rooney will, of course, miss the first two games as well, leaving Hodgson without a whole host of stars for the France clash.
The England chief will pin his attacking hopes on Ashley Young and captain Steven Gerrard, the man who got England’s 2010 World Cup campaign off to a flyer when he scored early on against USA although the match ended in a 1-1 draw (Euro 2012 outright 12/1).
Much has changed since the debacle in South Africa, with Young one of the most promising players to emerge in the past two years. He has hit five goals in his last seven games and will be England’s main attacking threat in the opener (First Goalscorer 8/1).
France go into the game unbeaten in 21 internationals but do have defensive frailties. Those weaknesses were on display during their final warm-up match against Estonia last week, despite their 4-0 victory.
Add to that France’s recent record in tournaments and England have a real chance. It has been a case of all or nothing for Les Bleus in recent years.
Since winning the World Cup and European Championship back-to-back in 1998 and 2000, France have failed to qualify from the group stage three times but reached the World Cup final in 2006 and the quarters at Euro 2004.
It is fair to say, however, France are a different proposition under Laurent Blanc. During their 21-game unbeaten run they have won 15, including victories over Brazil, Germany and England (Euro 2012 outright France 8/1).
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema are France’s main threats going forward but concentrate on those two at your peril.
Fans of the Premier League will be familiar with Samir Nasri and Yohan Cabaye, while 21-year-old Yann M’Vila, if fit, could be one of the stars of the tournament.
England will no doubt sit back and let France do all the running, hoping to hit Blanc’s men on the break. It is a dangerous tactic but one England need to employ in the opener if they are to get their tournament up and running with a win.
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