Euro 2012 Expert View: France by James Eastham

What is the expectation back home like? What does the nation/you think is a realistic achievement?

The mood has significantly improved since France's 2-1 victory over Germany in Bremen in February. Until then, most fans were pessimistic about France's chances. Since that impressive win, there is much more optimism. Most fans expect France to qualify alongside England for the second round.
The media see the quarter-finals as the 'job done' stage: in other words, there will be no complaints should France make the last eight. A place in the last four would be seen as a successful tournament, with a first-round exit failure.

My view is France should reach the last eight. With momentum and a favourable draw, they are good enough to make the last four.

How popular is the manager with the fans/the players?

The players deeply respect Laurent Blanc - nicknamed 'le President' - for his magnificent playing achievements in national team colours. His popularity with the public took a bit of a bashing during the 'quotas' scandal last year, when he and other members of the French national coaching set-up were secretly recorded making ill-informed comments about second-generation players that choose to play for countries other than France. But he's overcome that, and has been seen as a relatively safe pair of hands in guiding France to the finals. And he's much more popular than Raymond Domenech.

What have been the big talking points regarding player selection and tactics over the past year or so?

Several media pundits, including some high-profile former players, believe the ringleaders of the World Cup scandal, Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery, should never play for France again. For Blanc, this is a non-issue: as far as he's concerned, the players that led the strike have been punished and it's time to move on.

There is some conflict between Blanc and the media about where France's strengths and weaknesses lie. The media have concerns over the defence as Bacary Sagna and Eric Abidal will miss the finals and Philippe Mexes has started only a handful of games for AC Milan in 2012. But Blanc is more concerned about an attack that has averaged just 1.4 goals a game in his first 20 fixtures in charge, though that will have been improved upon slightly after they put three past Iceland at the weekend in a come-from-behind 3-2 win.

That statistic is a worry, but France's attacking options - Nasri, Ben Arfa, Ribery, Menez, Benzema and Giroud - look superior to England's, on paper at least.

Who (which player) could France least afford to lose to injury/suspension?

Yann Mvila is important, as the only natural alternative in the midfield holding role is Alou Diarra, less than impressive for club and country over the past couple of seasons. Karim Benzema has emerged as a centre-forward of international class under Blanc. In the absence of a true playmaker in the Zidane mould, Benzema is the side's most important attacking player.

What are the team's great strengths and weaknesses?

France's tactical flexibility is an obvious strength. They will always use a back four and then employ a variety of midfield and attacking configurations. The fact many players (Nasri, Cabaye, Menez, Ribery, Ben Arfa) can operate in more than one position is useful in a tournament situation.

France's lack of experience is a disadvantage. Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery are the only players with more than 50 caps. Seventeen of France's 26-man preliminary squad have fewer than 20 caps.

France 2012 remind me of France 1996 - i.e. a talented side with the potential to do well, but likely to fall short of the big prize before peaking in a couple of years' time.

Tournament Bet.

France To Reach Semi-Final @ 2.962/1.

James Eastham is based in Lille and works as a football journalist and scout covering Ligue 1, Ligue 2, French reserve-team football and the France international set-up.