|
|
France Star Yoann Gourcuff Confident Ahead Of Ireland Tie
The Bordeaux midfielder is looking forward to the play-off double-header...
France lock horns with Ireland on Saturday in the first game of the World Cup UEFA play-offs and Les Bleus are full of confidence ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
"First and foremost Ireland are a quality side, they didn’t lose a single game in a group that also featured world champions Italy. You have to respect their strength," said Gourcuff to FIFA.com.
"They also play a British-style game so we’ll be expecting lots of commitment and intensity. On top of all that the atmosphere is sure to be fantastic. The fans over there usually inspire the players to play above themselves.
"What we have to do more than anything else is just play our game. Physical battles are part of football and we can’t avoid them. If we are going to impose our style, we need to win as many of them as possible," continued the tricky midfielder.
"Do I think there is a chance France might go out? No. That’s absolutely out of the question."
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com
"First and foremost Ireland are a quality side, they didn’t lose a single game in a group that also featured world champions Italy. You have to respect their strength," said Gourcuff to FIFA.com.
"They also play a British-style game so we’ll be expecting lots of commitment and intensity. On top of all that the atmosphere is sure to be fantastic. The fans over there usually inspire the players to play above themselves.
"What we have to do more than anything else is just play our game. Physical battles are part of football and we can’t avoid them. If we are going to impose our style, we need to win as many of them as possible," continued the tricky midfielder.
"Do I think there is a chance France might go out? No. That’s absolutely out of the question."
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
/* empty because this one does not have controls */?>
-
Cartoon: Rio Ferdinand may have the last laugh
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
Euro 1996 Legends: Matthias Sammer, Germany
The heir to Franz Beckenbaur's throne, Sammer's excellent displays as sweeper for Germany led them to their third European title...
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has the fewest combined caps among them?
Which is the least experienced team in Euro 2012? Time to test your knowledge, mate
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation