Switzerland v France - MATCH REPORT
Champions France out to make amends
France are the bookies' favourites to retain the Euro crown but to keep their title defence on the road they need at least a point from the final Group B match against Switzerland on Monday.
Jacques Santini's side was not at its most convincing in the 2-2 draw against Croatia, and only a missed David Beckham penalty and two late goals from Zinedine Zidane got them out of jail against England in their opener.
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| French defender Mikael Silvestre (L) celebrates with captain Zinedine Zidane after Croatian defender Igor Tudor scored an own goal, 17 June 2004 during their match at the European Nations football championships at the DR. Magalhaes Pessoa Stadium in Leiria. France and Croatia are competing in Group B with England and Switzerland. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE |
The Swiss themselves aren't completely out of the knockout stage picture either - Croatia's surprising draw against France giving Jakob Kuhn's team an unexpected albeit fragile lifeline.
They need to secure all three points and pray for a kind outcome in the Croatia v England game.
There's only one problem - to win Switzerland must score and goals for the Swiss have been as rare as teetotal English fans in Albufeira.
France in contrast have had no similar worries. While Arsenal's goal scoring machine Thierry Henry may have hit a quiet patch Zinedine Zidane is firing on all cylinders, the Real Madrid playmaker accounting for two of France's four goals from setpieces.
Zidane is having a sublime tournament, and he has now taken on the leader's role too.
Defender Mikael Silvestre said he had seen the change in the inspirational 31-year-old.
"Before there were several natural leaders in the France team," said Silvestre, who may not retain his place for the Swiss clash as he has conceded two penalties in the two encounters so far.
"Zidane only had to express himself through his talent.
" Against Croatia, he was the symbol of our comeback.
Losing to Switzerland would cause major embarassment for France but it is unlikely they will slip and the knockout phase presents a clean slate for everyone.
Probable teams
Switzerland: Stiel (capt) - Berner, M. Yakin, Muller, Spycher - Wicky, Vogel, Huggel - H. Yakin - Frei, Chapuisat
Coach: Jakob Kuhn
France: Barthez - Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Lizarazu - Makelele, Vieira, Pires - Zidane (capt) - Trezeguet, Henry
Coach: Jacques Santini
Referee: Lubos Michel (SVK)