Every Irish fan is rightly still revelling in Robbie Brady’s dramatic late winner against Italy, but France in Lyon is just a few days away.
The Republic of Ireland have achieved their aim of qualifying for the last 16, escaping one of Euro 2016’s toughest groups and, while no-one wants the party to end now, anything from this point on is a bonus.
Needless to say, beating a talented French team, in their own backyard, is a tough ask. However, there are some reasons for optimism for Irish fans ahead of Sunday’s game.
For a start, the last time Ireland took on Les Bleus in France, they won 1-0 (over 90 minutes) and the current French team, while featuring some fantastic attacking talent, has yet to get out of second gear and has struggled to break down well organised sides in their group games.
France needed a late, great strike from Dimitri Payet to beat Romania in their opening group game, two late goals to overcome Albania in Marseille, before failing to find a way past Switzerland.
It appears as though Didier Deschamps is still ironing out some issues with his team.
For the game against Ireland, the word from France is that the hosts will go with the same team that started against Romania in the tournament opener.
Hugo Lloris will captain the side and start in goal, behind a defence of Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami.
France’s midfield will provide a stern test for Martin O’Neill’s side. N’Golo Kante will sit deep, behind Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi. Dimitri Payet will play wide-left, Antoine Griezmann on the right and Olivier Giroud will start up front.
This appears to be France’s strongest team, but there’s also the chance Anthony Martial or Kingsley Coman could start, or at least feature from the bench.
