France boast a fearsome attack and in Paul Pogba have a potential star of Euro 2016… but a defensive crisis is threatening to derail the favourites’ bid for glory

They may only be ranked as the 10th best team competing at the European Championship but host nation France head into the tournament as the bookmakers’ favourite.

In truth, France’s FIFA world ranking of 17 is skewed by the fact Didier Deschamps’ side have not played any competitive football for two years.

A squad packed full of exciting attacking talent has led to a swell of expectation and excitement among supporters as Euro 2016 fever heightens.

France kick off their European Championship campaign against Romania on Friday night

Didier Deschamps’ side have been installed as favourites ahead of the tournament on home turf

France begin their quest to win a competition they last won 16 years ago when they take on Romania at the Stade de France on Friday.

A look at recent results and it is easy to understand why France are so highly fancied. Albeit in friendlies, they have won nine of their last 10 matches – the only defeat coming against England at Wembley but that was in the aftermath of the terror attacks that struck Paris in November. So, how are France shaping up ahead of Friday’s opener?

The French squad train at their base in Clairefontaine on Monday ahead of the opener at Stade de France

Embarrassment of attacking riches

France are blessed with an array of exciting attacking talent that will cause their Euro 2016 opponents to have nightmares in the build-up to the tournament.

In Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet and Kingsley Coman, Deschamps has a wealth of stars that possess pace, skill and a capability to terrorise defenders.

The France boss’s biggest problem will be deciding who to leave out of his starting XI. Deschamps favours a 4-3-3 formation with a recognised No 9 through the middle.

FRANCE EURO 2016 FIXTURES

With Benzema unavailable, Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud will get the nod and the 29-year-old enters the tournament in fine form having netted three goals in four international appearances since the turn of the year, including a brace against Cameroon last weekend.

Atletico forward Griezmann, who scored 32 goals for the Champions League finalists last season, is certain to start if fit leaving Martial and Payet vying for the final place in a star-studded forward line.

France’s attacking prowess is illustrated by the fact they have scored 13 goals in their four fixtures in 2016 and they will fancy themselves to outscore any opponent this summer.

Antoine Griezmann, who scored 32 goals for Atletico Madrid last season, takes aim during training

In Paul Pogba, France boast one of the most gifted and highly sought-after midfielders to be taking part in the European Championship and he has the potential to be as influential for France as the great Zinedine Zidane.

With Serie A’s diminishing status as one of Europe’s leading leagues, the stage is set for the Juventus midfielder to stake a claim as one of the world’s best players.

The 23-year-old, who was inexplicably allowed to leave Manchester United four years ago, expertly combines athleticism and grace, packing power and skill in equal measure.

He displayed all his attributes in one short sequence when setting up Giroud to score against Cameroon last Saturday. Collecting the ball, he showed pace and power to break past the defender, quick feet to engineer space before delivering an inch-perfect pass.

Pogba is perennially linked with a move away from Juventus with Barcelona often credited with the strongest interest. Perform this summer and his burgeoning value will shoot up even further.

The stage is set for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to light up the European Championship

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No case for the defence 

France’s attacking riches could be their saving grace at Euro 2016, not least because of their deficiencies at the back – they are suffering something of a defensive crisis threatening to derail their campaign.

The biggest blow to Deschamps came just over a fortnight ago when the news was delivered that Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane would miss the tournament with a thigh injury.

Kurt Zouma is still recovering from the long-term knee injury he suffered playing for Chelsea against Manchester United in February, while versatile Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has also been ruled out.

Mamadou Sakho was left out of the squad following his provisional ban in April after testing positive for a banned substance. His suspension has been lifted but Deschamps opted against making him a late call-up to the squad.

Laurent Koscielny is a certain starter at the back and is likely to partnered by Sevilla centre back Adil Rami with the inconsistent Eliaquim Mangala and uncapped Samuel Umtiti in reserve.

Sevilla centre back Adil Rami is likely to partner Laurent Koscielny at the back for France

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Deschamps is dealing with an injury crisis with Raphael Varane, Jeremy Mathieu and Kurt Zouma all out

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The Benzema effect

As the France squad prepare for their opening game, arguably their most potent striker touched down on the other side of the world earlier this week.

Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid striker at the peak of his powers, will miss a home European Championship due to his alleged involvement in a plot to blackmail France international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.

Benzema, who would have been a shoo-in for the No 9 spot in Deschamps’ side, jetted off to Los Angeles this week and the furore surrounding the 81-cap forward has the potential to prove divisive.

Benzema maintains his innocence and manager Deschamps had been in favour of picking the 28-year-old but the French Football Federation decided the striker should be made unavailable.

Karim Benzema has been left out of the squad due to his alleged involvement in a blackmail plot

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Home comforts

France are hosting their first major finals since the 1998 World Cup – we all know how that ended.

National treasure Zidane scored twice in the final as France stunned favourites Brazil 3-0 to end a memorable tournament.

The French, many of whom would have watched the World Cup victory as young supporters, will be desperate to emulate the Class of ’98 by securing silverware on home turf.

France can also call on the experience of manager Deschamps, who captained the World Cup winning side to victory.

The current crop of players are out to emulate the Class of ’98 by winning a home tournament

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FRANCE 23-MAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Benoit Costil (Rennes), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille).

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Roma), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Samuel Umtiti (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Adil Rami (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Morgan Scheiderlin (Manchester United), N’Golo Kante (Leicester), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle).

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Dimitri Payet (West Ham).