Football: France Hoping for Revenge Against Spain

World and European champions Spain take on France in a World Cup qualifier in Madrid on Tuesday night - a win for either team would put them in the driving seat to finish top of Group I and qualify directly for Brazil 2014.

Published

7 months ago

Categories

Sports

People

Karim Benzema, Gerard Pique, Xabi Alonso

Places

France, Spain

Tags

world cup

Transcript

SCRIPT : Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque may be without defenders Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique but he can count on an embarrassement of riches in midifeld with the Barcelona trio Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso all available. Alonso and the rest of the squad are hoping for a repeat of the 2-0 win that saw Spain beat France on their way to winning Euro 2012 earlier this year. SOUNDBITE 1 - Xabi Alonso, Spain midfielder (in Spanish, 16 sec): "We can expect a game similar to the kind we saw during the Euros. But we must look at development, at what will happen. What's sure is that Ribery and Karim are two players who have evolved into elite level players, they're among the best." Frank Ribery is the only current french player to have tasted victory against Spain - scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win at the 2006 World Cup. Along with the Bayern winger, Karim Benzema is France's most dangerous player and the former Lyon man is upbeat as he prepares to face some of his Real Madrid teammates SOUNDBITE 2 Karim Benzema, France striker (in French, 13 sec) : "It's a different match from the one we were able to play at the Euros. now, we're playing to qualify for the World Cup. Now we have a new team. We know it'll be difficult to win here, but we'll do everything we can to make it happen." While Spain warmed up for Tuesday's showdown with a 4-0 thrashing of Belarus - France limped to a 1-0 defeat in a friendly against Japan last week. And for France coach Dider Deschamps ball retention is the key when playing a side such as Spain. SOUNDBITE 5 Didier Deschamps, France coach (French, 12 sec): "It's essential to have a good defense when playing against this team, but the second phase has to be good also, recovering the ball, being able to hold on to it, and counterattack." In footballing terms Spain at home is practically mission impossible for France. But with a return match still to come in Paris in March next year along with four other qualifiers - both coaches know the road to Brazil 2014 still has a way to go yet. SHOTLIST : Images AFPTV tournées le 15/10/2012 à Madrid - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque with Sergio Busquets - VAR Spain training - VAR Iniesta, Xavi and Xabi Alonso SOUNDBITE 1 - Frank Ribery - VAR France training - Karim Benzema SOUNDBITE 2 - VAR France training - Didier Deschamps SOUNDBITE 3 - France training - Hugo Lloris - Deschamps