DONETSK — France has something that other teams envy: an unbeaten record against Spain in competitive matches.
But while France
had arguably the better players when they last met in a tournament at
the 2006 World Cup, this time the French must find a way to stop the
reigning European champions from dictating the game in Saturday’s
quarterfinal.
That looks even more difficult considering how
France’s defense capitulated in the 2-0 defeat to Sweden on Tuesday, and
the fact it will have a makeshift center half pairing for the game in
Donetsk.
With Philippe Mexes suspended, Arsenal defender Laurent
Koscielny makes his first appearance of the tournament alongside Adil
Rami.
France coach Laurent Blanc says “we have to believe.”
