France under pressure in opener against Uruguay

Soccer Betting Lines

06/08/2010 - Cape Town, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - France coach Raymond Domenech made a tactical adjustment to the team's formation leading up to the World Cup, and the experiment continues Friday against Uruguay on the first day of the event.

Domenech prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation but, after defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra was ruled out of the World Cup with an injury, switched to a 4-3-3.

France had mixed reactions to the change, with its only victory in three warm- up matches against Costa Rica 2-1. The French followed with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia, and lost 1-0 to China.

Domenech guided France to the World Cup final four years ago, and still has an enormous amount of talent in South Africa, but doesn't have any more time left to tweak the new formation.

France has started the last two World Cups without a win in its first game and another similar result at Green Point Stadium on Friday could be disastrous.

The 1998 World Cup champions lost 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 and failed to qualify for the knockout round. France recovered from a 0-0 tie against Switzerland in its opener four years ago, but needed a win on the last day of group play.

Nicolas Anelka has struggled in his new role as the lone striker, and creative midfielders Yoann Gourcuff, Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery need to get more involved in the offense against Uruguay.

France enters the World Cup on the heels of its controversial qualification on the "Hand of Henry." Striker Thierry Henry used his hand play the ball and set up William Gallas' goal in a 2-1 aggregate win in a playoff against Ireland.

After the "Hand of Henry" controversy ended, three French players - including star Ribery - were involved in a sex scandal with an underage prostitute.

France's results leading up to its opener added more scrutiny, and a defeat at the hands of Uruguay would add even more pressure to Domenech's side.

Uruguay, which tied France 0-0 in a friendly less than two years ago, advanced to the World Cup as the fifth and final team from South America. Uruguay edged Costa Rica in a playoff just to make the tournament.

Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez lead Uruguay's attack, but the two-time champions - Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 - have won just one of their last 14 matches in the World Cup and played in just four of the last eight events.

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