France vs Romania – Euro 2012 

France and Romania will meet Saturday in Paris for the third game of both teams in Euro 2012 qualifying – Group D.

These two teams, even after a terrible world cup played by France and the no qualification from Romania, when the draw was doing they are the two favorite teams to occupy top two spots in the standings with France in 1st place.

After Raymond Domenech was dismissed by poor results and numerous internal problems that led to many players suspension and even to government intervention, it was thought that with new coach, Laurent Blanc, things would improve for France.

Laurent Blanc, after reached French title with Bordeaux, was the high hope for French football. After joining the “bleu”, the French coach attempted a revolution in the squad. But things started going bad for him, in first particular they lost to Norway, and worse than that, In the first serious game, surprisingly lost at home against Belarus (0-1)

As a input of bad result, doubts were already beginning to loom over the value of this French team. But Laurent Blanc, before the meeting against in Bosnia talked with the players, making them see the importance and the consequences that this match could have for the future of French team in this competition. The players response, could not be better, a win by two-zero and an excellent display, especially from Karim Benzema, a different player in this selection, for better, than he is at Real Madrid.

Occupying fourth place in the group with three points, near to the leaders, the victory in Bosnia, has succeeded not only to revive the French race, but also to make them again the main contenders for the 1st place in the group.

For this match, Laurent Blanc, called almost all the players, who were so well in Bosnia. Continuing to leave out players such as Anelka, Evra, Gallas or Ribery (injured). Must provide the same eleven who started the match with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo.

France team:
Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda e Cédric Carrasso; Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Adil Rami, Philippe Mexes, Mamadou Sakho e Benoît Tremoulinas; Mathieu Valbuena, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Yann M’ Vila, Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri, Florent Malouda, Blaise Matuidi e Yoann Gourcuff; Kévin Gameiro, Karim Benzema, Loïc Rémy, Guillaume Hoarau e Dimitri Payet.

Romania is currently one place below France, currently occupying the fifth place with two points, one of the teams that remain unbeaten in this group, but as Luxembourg has not won any game.
Despite not having lost, the results are not famous. Draws at home with Albania and out with Belarus, do not speak much good for the Romanians.

Although not composed of bad players, this team is bad in collective play, they like playing every man for himself. Romanian players, every time they play in national team always seem to be more concerned with individual terms. And that kind of attitude has been made to reflect the past achievements of Romania, causing many difficulties to coach Razvan Lucescu.

Romania team:
Bogdan Lobont, Costel Pantilimon e Ciprian Tatarusano; Cristian Sapunaru, Gabriel Tamas, Cristian Chivu, Stefan Radu, Razvan Rat, Mihai Nesu, Marius Constantin e Vasile Maftei; Ciprian Deac, Razvan Cocis, Mirei Radoi, Gheorghe Florescu, Apostol, C. Lazar, Roman e Ianis Zicu; Ciprian Marica, Daniel Niculae e Marius Bilasco.
The French team now seems to be on track, and led by Laurent Blanc, at this moment they have to bring back their supporter , they are still marked by the world cup shame and more recently the home defeat against Belarus. That is now the major goal for Laurent Blanc, the fans want a nice game and seems to me that this meeting with Romania comes at the right time, as it also seems to be the ideal opponent to make peace with the French public.

No doubt that even without some of their better known players, this is still a good French against Romania, for me it is quite likely a French victory, seeing a lot of value in AH -1 to France.

My bet is then France AH -1.