Last-four spot a possibility for a reborn France

Dubai: Four years after making a fool of themselves in South Africa, France seem to have regained lost ground and credibility to give themselves a realistic chance of advancing far into the tournament in Brazil.

In 2010, the French players went on strike in support of a sacked Nicolas Anelka and made their exit at the end of the first round.

Two years later, Laurent Blanc led the team to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, but once again off-field problems followed the team and Les Bleus were lambasted for their childish behaviour.

But now, with Didier Deschamps at the helm, France look like a renovated side waiting to pounce on the opportunities that come their way. In less than two years, former French skipper Deschamps has transformed the team and its image.

However, the ultimate spark that paved a turnaround occurred in their qualifying play-off second leg against Ukraine at the Stade de France last November. Down 2-0 from the first leg in Kiev, France secured an exciting 3-0 win to book their place in Brazil.

Since then, things have been looking positive for the French as 2014 started off on a promising note with a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in a friendly in March.

Deschamps has lined up another three friendlies — against Norway, Paraguay and Jamaica — before they face open their World Cup campaign against Honduras.

What could work in their favour is that France have been drawn in a comparatively easy group with Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador. Given this opposition, most observers would back France to top Group E and head into the knockout stages.

History backs Les Bleus here — at every World Cup since 1998, they have either reached the final or failed to win a game. If this pattern is repeated, then France are due to reach the final again this year. But a semi-final appearance may just be a more likely target if they play to their potential.

France

Group E
Fifa Ranking: 16

Top man

Franck Ribery
Date of birth: April 7, 1983 (age 31)
Place of birth: Boulogne-sur-Mer
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 65kg
Playing position: Winger
International caps: 80. Goals: 16
Club: Bayern Munich (Germany) 

Coach

Didier Deschamps
Date of birth: October 15, 1968 (age 45)
Place of birth: Bayonne
Manager since: July 2012
Record: P20 W10 L6 — 50% win ratio

Best 11 (4-4-2)

Lloris; Evra, Koscielny, Varane, Sagna; Griezmann, Cabaye, Pogba, Sissoko; Benzema, Giroud.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (St Etienne), Mickael Landreau (Bastia)

Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), Lucas Digne (Paris St Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris St Germain), Clement Grenier (Olympique Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newcastle United), Remy Cabella (Montpellier)

Group opponents

Honduras
Switzerland
Ecuador

Qualifying

After finishing three points behind Spain in Uefa qualifying Group I, France played Ukraine in a two-legged play-off. They lost 2-0 in Kiev, but won 3-0 at the Stade de France to triumph 3-2 on aggregate.

World Cup history

First tournament: 1930 (in Uruguay)
Appearances (before 2014): 14
Best finish: Winners (1998)

Pros

• France have a group of players ready to make up for their debacle at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
• Given his amazing speed and accuracy, Ribery can be the inspirational spark to lead Les Blues forward.
• Overall, the French squad is youthful and Deschamps will be expected to use all his leadership skills to keep them together.

Cons

• France’s application of the 75 per cent tax bracket on all French clubs has led to a cut in the team budget — an unwelcome addition to the already fragile atmosphere in the squad.
• Their defence looks a bit shaky and they have a tendency to crack under pressure.
• With some stars like Samir Nasri and Eric Abidal missing out, the current squad is a far cry from the past golden generation.