GOAL.COM reports as Beira-Rio faces its World Cup debut, fans wonder – can France win without talisman Franck Ribery? This question that will begin to find an answer on Sunday, as the Europeans face Honduras in Porto Alegre.
Les Bleus supporters were left with heartbreak when coach Didier Deschamps announced the Bayern Munich star would not feature in Brazil. As did his team-mates, with defender Laurent Koscielny highlighting the winger’s participation on building up dressing room atmosphere.
“He’s very important in the dressing room; he communicates well with everyone. His passion is crucial. But other players have come in and the atmosphere has remained very good, even though we still have to deal with those absences.
Honduras, meanwhile, will try to collect any result better than a heavy loss, although Luis Suarez’s men might be inspired after holding England for a goalless draw in Miami. But the Colombian’s goals are set even higher.
DATE: 15 june 2014
TIME: 20:00 (BST)
VENUE: Estadio beira-rio
POSSIBLE LINE UP:
FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra; Matuidi, Pogba, Valbuena, Cabaye; Griezmann, Benzema.
HONDURAS: Valladares; Beckeles, Bernardez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Chavez, Palacios, Garrido, Espinoza; Bengtson, Costly.
