Ukraine, Jun 21: France has something that other teams envy: an unbeaten record against Spain in competitive matches.
But while France had arguably the better players when they last met in a tournament at the 2006 World Cup, this time the French must find a way to stop the reigning European champions from dictating the game in Saturday's quarterfinal.
That looks even more difficult considering how France's defense capitulated in the 2-0 defeat to Sweden on Tuesday, and the fact it will have a makeshift center half pairing for the game in Donetsk.
With Philippe Mexes suspended, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny makes his first appearance of the tournament alongside Adil Rami.
France coach Laurent Blanc says “we have to believe.”
