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World Cup 2014: What France Need to Do to Be a Realistic Challenger in Brazil
Published: March 27, 2013
The result meant that Spain leapfrogged France to the top of the group by a single point with only three matches left to play. Having already held Spain to a draw in the reverse fixture, and seen Finland do the same last week, France would have been extremely hopeful of preventing the reigning World champions from winning this most recent encounter, thereby leaving automatic qualification for the finals in Brazil in their own hands.
Pedro and co., as it turned out, had other ideas.
Despite the set-back, France could still qualify as group winners should Spain slip up again in their final three matches, but at worst, they look a sure-bet to make the playoff phase as runners up. Trips to Belarus and Georgia look awkward, if not downright dangerous, before France wrap up their qualifying campaign with a home fixture against winless Finland.
One way or another, we would expect to see France as one of the 32 nations in Brazil next year. But are they realistically going there to challenge?
They remain one of the better nations of their day, true, but there is also little to compare this present France team to the successful 1998 side. There are several areas of improvement that Didier Deschamps and his side might still make before the finals, though, to make themselves more capable of challenging for ultimate glory.
Settled centre-back partnership
Laurent Koscielny and Raphael Varane was the chosen centre-back combination for France against Spain, and while they performed well for the most part, neither are particularly vociferous and domineering.
Having said that, the progress of Varane this season has been impressive, and there is every chance he could be heading into the World Cup next summer having been a first choice defender for ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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