France lost 2-0 to Sweden in a match that portrayed the brilliance of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his Sweden team mates.
Before the game, French defender Gael Clichy told UEFA.com:
“We'll try to come top of the group because that will allow us to avoid Spain in the quarter-finals. That's something we have to consider. But we'll need to be at our best to win.”
However, Les Bleus showed few signs of greatness against the Swedes. They controlled the play in terms of ball possession, aerials won and pass accuracy. However, they lacked efficiency where it matters most which is in front of goal.
Les Bleus executed 24 shots on goal but had only 4 of those on target. In short, France ran out of luck against Sweden but still got tickets to the quarter-finals ahead of Ukraine.
The latter needed to beat England at all cost but they felt let down by the questionable performance of the match officials on the night.
While the Ukrainians left the Donbass Arena in fury, the French breathed a huge sigh of relief in Kiev. A total of four points from a possible nine proved good enough to topple the UEFA Euro 2012 co-hosts in Group D.
However, France must now prepare to face the frightening task ahead which is to meet Spain in the quarter-finals. This date with the European champions comes at a bad time for Les Bleus.
How could they allow themselves to be pierced in a match that meant nothing competitively for the Swedes? This question relates to the tactical problems Laurent Blanc must solve as quickly as possible.
The coach has a few days only to rally his team ahead of the clash against Spain. In knock-out stage football, error means death. Will the French master the beast in La Furia Roja?
“We'll try to come top of the group because that will allow us to avoid Spain in the quarter-finals. That's something we have to consider. But we'll need to be at our best to win.”
However, Les Bleus showed few signs of greatness against the Swedes. They controlled the play in terms of ball possession, aerials won and pass accuracy. However, they lacked efficiency where it matters most which is in front of goal.
Les Bleus executed 24 shots on goal but had only 4 of those on target. In short, France ran out of luck against Sweden but still got tickets to the quarter-finals ahead of Ukraine.
The latter needed to beat England at all cost but they felt let down by the questionable performance of the match officials on the night.
While the Ukrainians left the Donbass Arena in fury, the French breathed a huge sigh of relief in Kiev. A total of four points from a possible nine proved good enough to topple the UEFA Euro 2012 co-hosts in Group D.
However, France must now prepare to face the frightening task ahead which is to meet Spain in the quarter-finals. This date with the European champions comes at a bad time for Les Bleus.
How could they allow themselves to be pierced in a match that meant nothing competitively for the Swedes? This question relates to the tactical problems Laurent Blanc must solve as quickly as possible.
The coach has a few days only to rally his team ahead of the clash against Spain. In knock-out stage football, error means death. Will the French master the beast in La Furia Roja?
