Both teams looked pretty mediocre in their last matches.
But that was then and this is now, and the task at hand is to try to figure out who will do what to try to advance to a semifinal meeting June 27 here against Portugal.
As always, the problem for opponents of Spain is trying to simply possess the ball long enough to set up a handful of decent scoring opportunities and hope you can capitalize on at least two of them.
What will be the result at the end of 90 minutes?
Much easier said than done.
Their tiki-taka style of play with all those talented midfielders looks like a way to maximize scoring opportunities, but lately, I’m convinced it’s just a ploy to drive the opponents bat-crap crazy.
France will be without defender Philippe Mexès, who has been suspended after two yellow cards, so expect Laurent Koscielny to start instead. Koscielny has said that the row that occured in the French dressing room after the loss to Sweden could help the team, but I’m not sold.
Another French players who might not get the start after his lackluster play in the tourney will be Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri.
Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery give Laurent Blanc and Les Bleus some firepower up front, but getting decent scoring attempts is something that always seems to plague Spanish opponents.
In goal, Hugo Lloris will have to be phenomenal to give France a chance, and I sincerely believe he’ll be up to the task. But the big question will be if France can score.
Spain has a couple of big decisions to make in terms of starters. For me, Del Bosque would be wise to have striker Fernando Torres start on the bench and let 21-year-old Jesus Navas see what he can do.
And Cesc Fàbregas (Barcelona) may also get his chance to finally shine in this one. David Silva could be the difference for Spain against France in Donetsk on Saturday.
On the pitch, France’s defense will try hard to hold its shape, but with Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Sergio Busquets healthy and clicking, sooner or later, a mistake will be made, and I think Spain will find the back of the net.
This should be a tight, defensive battle, but with so much at stake, even a 0-0 score at halftime means the second half will be must-watch soccer, as France upsetting Spain would be big news worldwide.
But I’m predicting Silva gets the game-winner between the 60 and 80-minute mark, and Spain—undefeated in its last 26 European matches—moves on to a highly anticipated Iberian Peninsula showdown with Portugal in the next round.
PREDICTION: Spain 1 France 0 for 1 unit.