Romania | VS
| France |
| Date/Time: | Sep 6, 2011, 6:30 pm(GMT) |
| Competition: | UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying |
| Live/Repeat: | Live |
| Venue: | Stadionul National, Bucure?ti (Bucure?ti) |
Romania vs France Preview
Romania coach Victor Piturca accepts that while a draw against France would normally be considered a good result, nothing less than a win will suffice on Tuesday.
Romania are currently fourth in Group D, five points behind pool leaders Les Bleus ahead of the clash in Bucharest, and time is running out on their bid to secure a place in the finals in Poland and Ukraine next summer.
Piturca's side won 2-0 in Luxembourg on Friday to keep their challenge alive but the 55-year-old knows France will present an altogether different challenge.
He said: "A draw would only be good for the overall record. We need three points, a victory is very important.
"France are the best team in the group and are favourites to win the match - they have individual players that are worth more than our entire squad. From the midfield forward they are very dangerous and any one of their players can decide the match.
"But we will be fired up at the thought of playing a good game and the points that are at stake.
"We need to win to have any real chance of qualifying and if we do more teams come into play as well as their results."
The hosts will be without midfielder Ovidiu Petre while striker Ciprian Marica is doubtful with a foot injury.
France boss Laurent Blanc, whose side are three points clear at the summit, could also make several changes as his side home in on a place in the finals.
Valencia defender Adil Rami, who was suspended for Friday's unconvincing 2-1 victory in Albania, could return in place of Younes Kaboul while Bacary Sagna is set to replace Anthony Reveillere at right-back and Florent Malouda is likely to make way for either Mathieu Valbuena or Loic Remy on the right of midfield.
Victory in Tirana three days ago was vital but the performance threw up several issues.
Striker Karim Benzema, who scored France's first goal and made the second for Yann M'Vila, had no doubt the attack and midfield were struggling to gel together.
"We have to improve still on the relationship between the midfielders and the strikers,'' said the Real Madrid player. "We're trying but it's not always easy with the opposition defenders."
Blanc will be satisfied if the initial goal of reaching next summer's tournament is achieved, and then France will have time to look more closely at their shortcomings.
Blanc said: "Our objective is qualification for the finals phase of Euro 2012 next June. There are certainly still things to deal with but we are making progress. The players can still do better, and we move forward.''
