Les Bleus skipper Patrice brushes aside team's poor form ahead of Uruguay opener
Les Bleus skipper Patrice brushes aside team's poor form ahead of Uruguay opener
Captain Patrice Evra brushed aside France's troubled build-up to declare yesterday that they can win the World Cup.
The Manchester United star, who has established himself as one of the world's top full-backs since moving to England in January 2006, said the team was united in their belief.
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"I think we can go right to the end. That is what drives us. We are in very good health on and off the field and that is what is required to beat the very best teams, including Uruguay which is our first match."
His comments come with the team under pressure after a string of uninspiring performances which has left the country torn as to their prospects.
Evra, one of United's most consistent performers this season, insisted that the team was unified and would play for national pride rather than individual glory amid concerns that egos could get in the way.
"We have a team which really wants to do something together, not as individuals," he said.
"I think that"s the difference. If we don't get through to the final, we would have approached the tournament in a good frame of mind. But we really want to do something as a collective."
Asked how France would approach the Uruguay game Evra, who will be key today to taming in-form strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, did not want to comment on the opposition, instead preferring to focus on France.
"We know Uruguay but I prefer to talk about my team. We have done everything to prepare," he said.
"We'll have a major defensive wall and the Uruguayans will need to get around it."
Coach Raymond Domenech, who is widely disliked in France and will be replaced by former skipper Laurent Blanc after the tournament, was also upbeat about his team's chances.
"There are 23 players who are ready. I don't think the word to use to describe the team is calm. We are determined, a bit aggressive and impatient," he said.
Meanwhile, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez warned France:
"We are in the right place at the right time. We are very confident. The France squad has great footballers but they been having difficulties."
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