We’re just days from the start of the Euros, with hosts France having emerged as favourites despite not playing a competitive match since being dumped out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals two years ago. Since then, however, Didier Deschamps’ squad has progressed, now with an enviable blend of youth and experience that has understandably seen them tipped to sail through Group A.
As is customary for the host nation, they kick-off the tournament on Friday night, with Romania the side aiming to spoil the party at the Stade de France. It’s an intriguing battle and one that France won’t be taking lightly given that Anghel Iordansecu’s side conceded fewer goals than any other team in qualifying (2), with the pattern of play for the curtain raiser perhaps a little predictable.
Les Bleus will be expected to dominate proceedings, with Romania setting up in a 4-5-1 formation without the ball in an attempt to frustrate Deschamps’ men. Nevertheless, there are a number of key battles worth keeping an eye on at both ends, and here we highlight the three that could prove most decisive.
Olivier Giroud vs Vlad Chiriches
The North London derby connection between this pair obviously makes their encounter a little more intriguing, though in his short stint at Spurs Chiriches only ever played against Arsenal once, in an FA Cup defeat that Olivier Giroud missed. This will be the first meeting between the two then, and both will feel they have plenty of critics to silence this summer.
The centre-back endured a tough time in England and things haven’t really let up since a move to Napoli, with manager Maurizio Sarri admitting he knew very little of the Romanian international upon the arrival of both men last summer. Chiriches made just 17 starts across the league and Europa League for the Partenopei but will hope to replicate the sort of strong showings he produced in qualifying - forming a formidable partnership with the uncompromising Dragos Grigore - in order to earn another move this summer. Despite a dubious reputation to say the least, he is seen as a real star for this Romanian side and at 26 is one of the youngest captains at the Euros.
Giroud, meanwhile, also enters the tournament with more than his share of doubters, recently booed by sections of the France support who are more than a little displeased by the omission of Karim Benzema. The Arsenal man is certain to start up front this summer as a result, and is actually in fine form following a dire run for the Gunners earlier in the year. Indeed, with 7 goals in his last 4 appearances for club and country, it’s little wonder some are backing Giroud to be in the running for the Golden Boot.
The Frenchman will be confident of providing the sort of physical battle Chiriches was criticised of shirking from during his time in England, but motivation will be high for the Romania skipper. Nevertheless, having won fewer aerial duels (55) than he has lost (56) in the last three league seasons, Chiriches will need to stand up and be counted against Giroud’s aerial threat.
Antoine Griezmann vs Razvan Rat
Elsewhere in France’s fearsome attacking line-up Antoine Griezmann is expected to get the nod over Kingsley Coman on the right despite only featuring for 45 minutes in Les Bleus’ warm up matches. He, of course, played a significant part in the Champions League final just a fortnight ago and will be desperate to bounce back from the heartache of defeat having missed a penalty which could have secured Atletico the crown they felt they deserved.
The 25-year old may have ended the campaign on a low point but he was superb during its course, with 22 league goals and a further 7 in the Champions League meaning many are tipping him to be the hosts’ main man this summer. Greizmann certainly has the ability to match such expectations but will be played in a wider berth than he tends to for Atletico. However, it’s a role he is not only familiar with for the national side but also at club level, only really developing into a centre-forward over the last 18 months or so.
His experience out wide is nothing compared to that of Razvan Rat though, who, at 35, is the second oldest player in Romania’s squad. With Griezmann tipped to get the nod on the right of France’s front three it will be up to the ageing left-back to keep the Atletico man in check, and therein may lie a big problem. Not only is Rat not at the physical levels he once was given his age, but the former Shakhtar full-back hasn’t started a league match for current club Rayo Vallecano since the start of November.
He, however, will need to ensure that Griezmann, who will naturally drift infield from that flank, isn’t able to cut onto his wand of a left boot. Over the last two seasons the Frenchman has scored 34 of 44 league goals for Atletico with his favoured foot, so Rat has a crucial role to play. Given that the veteran committed more fouls (11) than he produced tackles (10) last season, it’s fair to say he may have to resort to dirty tactics again in order to keep Griezmann quiet. However, committing fouls in dangerous positions is the last thing you want to do with Dimitri Payet on the opposite team!
N’Golo Kante vs Nicolae Stanciu
While France will no doubt spend the majority of their time in Romania’s half on Friday, there is one particular weapon up Iordanescu’s sleeve that cannot be underestimated. 23-year old Nicolae Stanciu is very much one to watch for the underdogs, with big things expected of the number ten as Romania look for a long awaited heir to the throne of Gheorghe Hagi.
It’s certainly a stretch to consider the Steaua Bucharest playmaker in the same bracket as the great man just yet, but Stanciu is developing quite the reputation, and for good reason. Having only made his international debut this year, Stanciu netted the winning goal in said game against Lithuania and has gone on to score in 4 of his 5 caps for the senior side. Moreover, in the only game he has failed to find the net for his country so far - a 0-0 draw with Spain in March - the playmaker secured WhoScored.com’s man of the match award with a rating of 8.04 having mustered 6 shots, completed 6 dribbles and created 4 chances.
The man tasked with nullifying Stanciu’s considerable threat on Friday is likely to be N’Golo Kante then, who seems to be at the front of the queue for the holding role in France’s midfield following injury to Lassana Diarra. The 25-year old also only made his international debut back in March but, like Stanciu, was on the scoresheet to convince Didier Deschamps of his worth to the squad following a superb debut season at Leicester.
Kante not only made the most tackles in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season (175) but also the most interceptions (156) and will be key in dispossessing Stanciu on the rare occasions Romania are likely to attack as well as cutting the supply line to the danger man. With both Kante and Stanciu expected to be in demand this summer, theirs is a battle worth keeping an eye on, and one the former may have to win if France are to come away with the comfortable win so many are expecting.
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