Hosts France face a potential banana skin in Iceland at the Stade de France with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.
Despite Les Bleus delivering another far from convincing performance most recently against the Republic of Ireland, France go into this quarter final clash as heavy favourites. They showed a steely resolve after conceding an early penalty, courtesy of Antoine Griezmann’s heroics. The Atletico Madrid star proved the inspiration, netting a clinical second-half brace in three minutes to triumph 2-1.
Boss Didier Deschamps again got his tactics wrong at the beginning of the match, yet to decipher what his best formation and starting XI is. Though after a strong second 45 display, perhaps the 1998 World Cup winner has finally come to his senses. The ex-Juventus midfielder cannot continue to afford making the same elementary mistakes, whereby he takes a half to realise his tactics are ineffective. A superior side with more guile will easily exploit France’s deficiencies.
Meanwhile, the surprise package of the competition, Iceland, pulled off arguably the biggest upset ever in international football – consigning England to a premature round of 16 exit. For the smallest nation at the tournament with a population of 330,000 – roughly the size of Leicester – it has truly been extraordinary what this team has accomplished hitherto.
For the fairy-tale to endure, history is against the small Nordic country as they have never beaten the French. But that will serve as little consolation for Deschamps, knowing the destruction Iceland have already caused in its first appearance at a major tournament.
Key Battle – Antoine Griezmann vs Aron Gunnarsson
Some critics would argue Deschamps has not been able to establish where Griezmann’s most apt position is for the national team. The diminutive attacker looks more imposing when he occupies central areas than on the wing. And a proverbial light bulb might have sparked the 47-year-old to deploy him in an attacking midfield position behind the striker. His showing against Ireland proves that if left unmarked he will make any team rue their lack of concentration.
As for Gunnarsson, the Cardiff City midfielder and Icelandic captain will be in for an industrious afternoon if he is to nullify the French midfield. The 27-year-old has been exemplary leading his team and crucial at motoring around the pitch to interrupt play and also be the catalyst to ignite the attack.
Team News
Following that positive second-half outing, Deschamps will likely employ a 4-2-3-1 system. However, he will be without suspended duo Adil Rami and N’Golo Kante due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Eliaquim Mangala is odds on to succeed the former in central defence, while Kante’s absence could force a reshuffle further up the field. Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba could act as the two-man pivot, with Dimitri Payet, Griezmann and Kingsley Coman occupying the three positions behind Olivier Giroud.
The coaching duo of Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson – incidentally the latter a part-time dentist – will probably retain the same XI which comfortably dispatched England, fluctuating between a traditional 4-4-2 system and a 4-2-2-2 when driving forward. Kari Arnason and Ragnar Sigurdsson should remain the centre-back duo, while Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson and Birkir Bjarnason of FC Basel provide potency in advanced positions.
Head-to-head
France have met Iceland on 11 occasions, yet to lose to the overachieving minnows – winning eight and drawing three.
Previous Meeting
A friendly which served as a warm-up match for Euro 2012 preparations in May 2012 was the last time the pair squared off. France fought-back after finding themselves 2-0 down to prevail 3-2 in Valenciennes.
Prediction
The onus will be on France to take the game to Iceland. Deschamps’ men will dictate possession, but will find it hard to unpick an impervious, organised defence. The visitors will exploit the counter-attack and long throw-ins, indicative of how they thwarted Portugal, defeated Austria and stunned England. It may just be a step too far for the troops of Lagerback and Hallgrimsson, with Les Bleus gradually improving.
France 2-1 Iceland
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