What: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff – Second Leg
Who: France (0) vs Ukraine (2) – First leg score in brackets
When: Tuesday 19th November, 2013, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

Miracle Needed

France suffered almost the worst first leg possible when they were on the losing end of a match against Ukraine in the East European cold, going down 2-0. 90 minutes away from possibly missing the upcoming World Cup, Didier Deschamps and his men will have to pull off a perfect game should Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and company want to make it to Brazil.

Les Bleus’ manager could only rue the team’s luck in Kyiv, as the hosts on the night completely paralysed the 1998 world champions. Speaking after the game, Deschamps applauded his rivals, while demanding a better display from his players in the return leg in Paris. 

“We struggled because of their commitment. Ukraine defended aggressively and committed fouls. They are a solid side. They knew that the danger would come from Franck Ribery's left flank. He was fouled a lot and had very little space in which to express himself. 

“We tried to respond to their physicality. Things went in their favour but it was nothing to do with fear on our part. They restricted us going forward and then got the ball forward quickly themselves. They are in a favourable position. It is up to us to recover well and try to turn things around”, he said.

Halfway There

Ukraine took an important step towards making the upcoming worldwide football event when they gunned down France. On paper, Mykhaylo Fomenko’s team appear to be favourites to make it to the World Cup, but even at 2-0 down, the French cannot be ruled out, and there will certainly be everything to play for at the Stade de France.

With Ribery firmly held to a tight leash, France were left without any real attacking options. Having a two-goal advantage going into this game, coach Fomenko expressed his satisfaction with his team’s display.

“In such games the players do not need motivation. On the contrary, it was up to the players to deliver, that all depends on them. The foundation of this win was in their psychology”, declared the former Dynamo Kyiv defender.

Having not conceded on their home turf, any two-goal loss – besides losing 2-0 and going into extra-time and penalties – would still see Ukraine qualify. An away goal for the visitors on Tuesday will see things become very difficult for France, and almost certainly guarantee them a ticket to Brazil 2014 after missing out on South Africa 2010.

 

Recent form

France:
France 6-0 Australia (11/10; Friendly)
France 3-0 Finland (15/10; World Cup qualifying)
Ukraine 2-0 France (15/11; World Cup qualifying)

Ukraine:
Ukraine 1-0 Poland (11/10; World Cup qualifying)
San Marino 0-8 Ukraine (15/10; World Cup qualifying)
Ukraine 2-0 France (15/11; World Cup qualifying)

Players to watch

France – Raphael Varane: After missing the first leg through injury, the young defender will be back in the side. Les Bleus could use his presence as one of the back four as he has showed maturity beyond his years in the past year and not conceding will be key.

Ukraine – Andriy Yarmolenko: The winger enjoyed a good qualifying campaign and greatly helped his side by scoring the second past France on Friday night. Another dangerous showing from Yarmolenko would surely place him and his side in the World Cup.

Match Prediction

Ukraine found the perfect formula to neutralise the French on Friday night. In the return much will rest on their ability to keep Ribery quiet for a second successive match. High on confidence and in a good spot, they will be able to qualify for the World Cup after a 1-1 draw.

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