Ecuador vs France Preview
What a difference four years can make! The France camp represented a scene of recrimination and protest in South Africa in 2010. But Didier Deschamps’ side have overcome all the doubts regarding the atmosphere in the team and have secured an easy qualification to the knockout stages after scraping over the line against Ukraine in the playoffs. And they seem to have convinced their countrymen back home that they are the real deal this time around. It was hardly seven months ago after their 2-0 first leg defeat in Ukraine that leading Sports daily L’Equipe had asked: “Is this the worst French team in history?” But France’s gorgeous attacking display on their way to a 5-2 drubbing of Switzerland was enough to earn the front-page headline “Vertiginous”, appreciating the fact that France’s turnaround has been a sudden one.
Les Tricolores have done away with the demons of the past after a players’ strike in the camp dampened their hopes of glory on African soil as they succumbed to a group stage exit. There was a sense of pride among the players, a sense of togetherness that has been missing for some time among the French squad. And with the likes of Benzema, Matuidi, Pogba, Valbuena and a rock solid back five in their ranks, the French have every chance to go all the way in Samba land. And to put all this into context, this is without the third best player in the world Franck Ribery. The switch to a fluid attacking 4-3-3 and Deschamps working his magic to get the players gelling has worked wonderfully so far as France have scored a small matter of eight goals in two matches. And few would bet against them knocking in a few against Ecuador.
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was withdrawn in the second half against the Swiss, but thankfully for Deschamps, there is positive news on the Sakho front as the defender has confirmed he is fit. France’s superior goal difference has all but secured their progress to the Round of 16 as group winners. And with a likely clash with Nigeria on the cards in the Round of 16, although we won’t rule out Iran for romanticism’s sake, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could be rested to give some game time for Loic Remy.
Ecuador are well aware that Honduras are there for the taking and would be expecting Switzerland to pick up all three points in that encounter. That would need them to beat a second string French side and Manager Reinaldo Rueda will be banking on Enner Valencia’s hot goalscoring form. Ecuador showed against England in a warm-up friendly that they can give the big boys a good game, and they have little choice but to turn up against France as their World Cup fate lies at stake.
Ecuador vs France Predicted Lineups:
Ecuador: Dominguez; Parede, Ayovi, Guagua, Achilier; Montero, Minda, Noboa, Antonio Valencia Caicedo; Enner Valencia.
France: Lloris; Sagna, Kosncienly, Varane, Evra; Sissoko, Valbuena, Matuidi, Pogba; Griezmann, Remy.
Ecuador vs France Prediction:
Ecuador have to win to seal their progress to the knockout stages. Expecting Honduras to upset Switzerland would be clutching at straws. Enner Valencia and Jefferson Montero are the men to watch out for for the South Americans, while this could be a chance for the French reserves to impress the manager. France should have enough in the tank for Ecuador, even with a second choice side. The French should win it 2-1!