No French toast for the Swiss

Hyderabad: The French footballers are notoriously erratic. This has become glaringly evident since the time they last won the World Cup in 1998. With flashes of brilliance in one game and utter mediocrity in the very next, they have either reached finals or come a cropper in the group stages.

However, the campaign for the 2014 edition has commenced on a sound note. After the thumping 3-0 win over Honduras, Les Blues fans are hoping for an encore when France meets Switzerland in a crucial group E encounter, in the wee hours of Saturday at Salvador.

The Swiss, who managed an injury time win against Ecuador, are raring to enjoy a slice of history of their own. The winner of the match will qualify from the group, while the loser faces the possibility of running into title contender Argentina in Group 16.

Didier Deschamps is unlikely to tinker with the line-up, which played dominant, free-flowing attacking football. The back four of Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou, Sakho and Patrice Evra was hardly tested by Hondurans. It remains to be seen how they withstand the determined Swiss challenge.

Though Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick, it was the midfield trio of Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba and Yohan Cabaye, which impressed with counter-attacks and openings.
However, with reports that Cabaye is nursing a groin injury, Deschamps might be tempted to play right winger Mathieu Valbuena behind the striker. Consequently, he might push Antione Griezmann to right, play Benzema left and start with Olivier Giroud, for that all pervading boisterous presence to gain a psychological edge.

For Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, the substitutions came to the rescue in the last gasp victory against the gritty Ecuador. He may go in for the tested eleven and prefer to make use of quick substitutes-Haris Seferovic and Admir Mehmedi in the climatic stages of the game.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez, Johan Djourou and Steve Von Bergen could be retained. Their task is cutout-contain the menacing strides of Benzema, Griezman and Giroud and create space for effective counters.

The Swiss boast of a solid midfield with a powerful blend of Gokhan Inler, Valon Behrami and Granit Xhaka. Xherdan Shaqiri, Valentin Stocker and Josip Drmic will start, although there is a possibility of replacing Stocker with seasoned campaigner Tranquillio Barnetta. French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris lords over like an imposing fortress, which the Swiss have to penetrate to make a meaningful match of the outing.

Tuesday’s battles have suddenly shot the custodians into the limelight, thanks to the dexterity displayed by the Mexican Jesus. This could come as the perfect preparatory ground for goalkeepers from both sides. To the fan that is the stuff of legends.

Possible starting line-up: Switzerland: Diego Benaglio, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez, Johan Djourou, Steve Von Bergen, Gokhan Inler, Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Valentin Stocker and Josip Drmic.

France: Hugo Lloris, Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho, Patrice Evra, Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba, Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema, Antione Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.