A massive security operation has been launched with up to 90,000 police and private guards set to protect the teams, media and hundreds of thousands of fans set to travel to France to attend matches. However, they are strong in defence, and will look to steal a result by being tight at the back and then breaking forward at pace when they’re able to.
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“I expect France to begin the match in an aggressive fashion”.
On Nov. 13, suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the Stade de France during France’s friendly against Germany, triggering off a wave of deadly attacks during which 130 people were killed.
Back France to top Group A at 4/11 while investing in Albania to reach the last 16 attracts at 7/4; Switzerland, meantime, have lost three of their last four matches and odds of 11/4 on a round one exit for Petkovic’s side are worth considering as an outside punt. I’m sure my players are ready and determined to overcome these spells of pressure from the opposition.
“Everything that has happened to us since the squad was announced on May 12, honestly, even in my worst nightmares I don’t think I could have imagined it”.
France players during a training session ahead of their Euro 2016 opener. I think he’s going to be one of the main guys at this tournament. Saturday’s other Group B pairing involves underdog Slovakia (+15000) and Wales (+8000), which is led by English Premier League star Gareth Bale. “That’s football, we have to adapt and the team is dealing well with it”.
“We all work hard as one unit, we attack as one and we defend as one”.
Germany’s preparations have been hampered, as has become customary, by injuries, with Borussia Dortmund players Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan ruled out with groin and knee injuries, respectively.
“(Deschamps) has selected him for lots of squads and he wants his best players there – he doesn’t care about colour”. “If you were to ask that same question to my team-mates they would answer in the same fashion”. They are used to play their tournaments until the end. We want a balanced style of play.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart is keen to forget England’s failures at previous major tournaments and put his trust in the new young squad at the European Championship in France this month. “We haven’t done anything, we haven’t proved anything thus far”, he said.
The 27-year-old Boateng, a key player for the World Cup champions at Euro 2016 in France, was quoted as telling Sportbild magazine on Wednesday that his family and children wouldn’t come to the stadium because “the risk is too great for me”.
“We’ve certainly got all the backing we need”.
The UEFA-affiliated FARE Network says it will deploy two observers at matches, ensuring they are fluent in the language of the teams and their fans.
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England plays Russian Federation on Saturday in their first Group B match.
