france eye swiss bliss route to euro 2016 last 16
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

France eye Swiss bliss route to Euro 2016 last 16

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today France eye Swiss bliss route to Euro 2016 last 16

France's forward Antoine Griezmann
Paris - Arab Today

Already assured of a place in the last 16 of Euro 2016, hosts France are looking to round off Group A with a third straight win when they face Switzerland in Lille on Sunday.

Despite a 100 percent record, Didier Deschamps's men have so far failed to deliver on their status of pre-tournament favourites, needing late winners to see off the challenge of Romania and Albania.

Underwhelming performances and controversy surrounding Juventus star Paul Pogba has dogged a Les Bleus side in need of a statement win like their 5-2 thrashing of the Swiss at the World Cup two years ago.

Dropped for Wednesday's 2-0 win over Albania in Marseille, Pogba came on at half-time and helped set up the second goal for Dimtri Payet deep into stoppage time with a trademark crossfield pass.

However, his reaction -- an explicit pump of the arm, apparently directed at the press box -- caused a scandal and, despite the 23-year-old insisting it was not offensive, it has placed him squarely in the media spotlight.

Pogba was expected to be one of the stars of the tournament with French sports daily L'Equipe splashing his image across its front page on the first day of the tournament.

Instead his antics in Marseille brought to mind less savoury incidents from France's recent and stormy football past, such as unsavoury outbursts from Samir Nasri towards journalists at Euro 2012.

Deschamps said he was satisfied with the player's story.

"He's given me his explanation and I trust him," the coach said on Saturday.

Pogba should get the chance to redeem himself on the pitch with Deschamps likely to rotate his talented squad once more.

N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud could be rested as they are just one yellow card away from missing the last 16 through suspension.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who also came off the bench to score the vital opening goal against Albania, looks certain to recover his place up front.

- Romania eye last 16 -
The two sides at the bottom of Group A meet in Lyon with Romania aiming to make the knockout stages by extending their eight-match unbeaten record against Albania.

Romania, who have a single point from their draw with Switzerland, can qualify in second with a win allied to a French victory over the Swiss.

Albania also have an outside chance of making the last 16, despite two defeats from two matches on their debut at a major finals, but need to win by multiple goals to have a chance of progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups.

The Romanians hope to have Razvan Rat, Mihai Pintilii and Steliano Filip fit, despite all three carrying injuries.

Albania have Burim Kukeli suspended for picking two yellow cards, but captain Lorik Cana returns from suspension.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

france eye swiss bliss route to euro 2016 last 16 france eye swiss bliss route to euro 2016 last 16

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

france eye swiss bliss route to euro 2016 last 16 france eye swiss bliss route to euro 2016 last 16

 



GMT 21:16 2016 Monday ,27 June

Zaki Badr discusses cleaning problem in Giza

GMT 21:46 2017 Saturday ,14 January

Turkey arrests 60 businessmen for alleged Gulen ties

GMT 22:38 2017 Friday ,24 March

Abbas meets with Merkel in Berlin

GMT 09:02 2017 Monday ,27 March

Tunisian Premier Concludes Visit to Sudan

GMT 15:54 2017 Friday ,01 September

Attorney General Directs Prosecutors to inspect Prison

GMT 09:22 2017 Sunday ,31 December

HM King condoles with Afghanistan President

GMT 10:12 2016 Wednesday ,06 April

Strong dollar, mild weather shrink H&M profits

GMT 17:03 2016 Saturday ,24 December

7 police killed in attacks in Afghansitan

GMT 13:51 2017 Friday ,17 March

Israel denies Syria shot down a warplane

GMT 04:08 2017 Thursday ,05 January

Carbon tax can fund clean energy transition

GMT 19:27 2016 Wednesday ,14 September

Alstom to go ahead with plans to shut down Belfort plant
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday