SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) – France face Switzerland on the anniversary of their infamous World Cup training ground strike, and a victory in today’s match will go a long way to closing the darkest chapter in France’s football history.
Four years ago in South Africa, the players shamed a nation back home and prompted the fury of politicians when they refused to climb down off the team bus in protest at one of their teammates being sent home.
Confidence has been rebuilt under coach Didier Deschamps and pride in the blue jersey has – seemingly – been restored after some good results.
However, questions remain whether the current side has truly turned the page on June 20, 2010 and Knysna – where the strike took place.
Only four players who from that 2010 World Cup squad remain in this side. One of those, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, is now captain.
“Honestly, we’re not thinking at all about what happened in 2010. We’re concentrating on what happens tomorrow,” Lloris said yesterday. “All our minds are on this match, what happened is in the past. We’re here to continue the adventure as long as possible.”
Deschamps looked exasperated that a question about the strike anniversary was asked, shaking his head in disbelief that the inquisition is still lingering.
A handsome win should help end it, as well as give a better indication of how much France has improved. The winning team in Salvador will take a giant step toward winning Group E and avoiding a likely clash with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the next round.
The French did not get much of a challenge from Honduras in their opening World Cup match, winning 3-0 against a team that was reduced to ten men before half-time. This is France’s biggest challenge since beating Ukraine 3-0 in November in the second leg of their playoff match after losing 2-0 in the first leg.
“We haven’t been tested properly for a while. If it happens tomorrow [today], so much the better,” Deschamps said. “It’s when things become difficult that you’re able to judge not only the football side of things but the mental strength of the players, and we’ll get an answer tomorrow [today].”
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland have lost just once in 18 matches over the past two years and are No. 6 in FIFA’s rankings.
“We’ll have to dig very deep, because the Swiss have a lot of quality,” Deschamps said. “If you look at their players, they are playing in the big European clubs, so it’s not a coincidence that they’re ranked sixth.”
Hitzfeld bases his team around solid defending and quick counterattacks, stretching teams down the flanks.
“They have players who can break forwards quickly,” Deschamps said. “The Swiss play well when they’re grouped together. Maybe they will play further forward at times but that depends on who gets on the ball more.”
France, however, do appear to have the edge in attack, with the forward line of Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena boasting pace and mobility. Benzema scored twice against Honduras and has netted eight goals in his past seven games.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye has meanwhile been passed fit after recovering from a groin problem.
