Having disgraced themselves in South Africa at the World Cup finals France are now on a roll and should continue winning ways against Croatia on Tuesday.
The 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship winners crashed out at the group stage last June in spectacular fashion as internal squabbling and inept performances haunted Les Bleus and eccentric leader Raymond Domenech but the talent remains and things are, all of a sudden, looking bright.
Following a successful, if relatively brief, spell in club management former captain Laurent Blanc has been entrusted with leading France out of its darkest hour and the early signs are very good indeed.
A 2-0 win in Luxembourg on the weekend made it six consecutive victories, conceding just once in that time, and there was plenty to like about their friendly wins over England at Wembley and against Brazil in Paris.
With so much to prove, and the small matter of winning over the French public once more, Blanc and his players are unlikely to take their foot off the pedal even outside of Euro 2012 qualification matches and they’ll want to make it a magnificent seven against Slaven Bilic’s men.
Such has been France’s rejuvenation since the World Cup and an opening campaign defeat on home soil to Belarus back in September that many are tipping them to go all the way in Poland/Ukraine and their first eleven is certainly a match for any of Europe’s best.
Boasting, as they did on Saturday, Samir Nasri, Franck Ribery, Florent Malouda and the in-form Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in their ranks, the French are capable in any match and, even if Blanc chooses to rest a few of his star men, the host’s squad has plenty of depth to it.
Croatia arrive in Paris now a point adrift of Greece in Group F following a shock qualifying defeat in Georgia four days ago and, while that was their first loss in 15 matches, Bilic’s men have not faced any side of note since a 5-1 mauling at Wembley 18 months ago and they could come unstuck against top opposition once more.
At nudging even money I rate France decent value and, although the match has nothing at stake, it should be a decent encounter.
2pts Back France (vs. Croatia) @ 1.91 (various)