France boss Laurent Blanc has admitted that his players are feeling anxious ahead of Monday’s Euro 2012 encounter with England.
Nonetheless, the 46-year-old says les Bleus are eager to step onto the pitch and play their first match of the tournament, and insists they have the right mentality going into their Group D opener.
“Everyone is under pressure, the players and the technical staff,” Blanc told Telefoot. “I feel that everyone wants to be at their best for the first game against England. The talk I will give to my players, it will be that we have done what we expected during preparation.
“The guys are ready, we have put everything on our side. They will especially enjoy playing that game.”
Meanwhile, Yann M’Vila and Blaise Matuidi have given France a timely boost as they are close to regaining full fitness after recently picking up knocks.
“The injured players are getting better, they are recovering well,” Blanc added. “We will reintegrate them in the group for training on Sunday afternoon in Donetsk.”