12-13-2019, 12:55 AM
LONDON -- France needs an unprecedented comeback to avoid missing its first World Cup in 20 years. Air Force 1 Saldi . No European team has ever qualified for the World Cup through the playoffs after losing the first leg 2-0. Two decades after France failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup following a shock home defeat against Bulgaria, Les Bleus lost to Ukraine for the first time in the first leg by a two-goal margin. That means the odds are indeed heavily stacked against Didier Deschampss team ahead of Tuesdays return game at the Stade de France. The French players display was so poor on Friday that it led the French media to question if the national sides performance had been the "worst in history." To turn around the result, France needs to rediscover its attacking potency as Deschamps - who won the 1998 World Cup and the European championships two years later as a player, must decide who to play up front against an extremely well organized Ukrainian side. "Well need to have that bit of folly that will make for an exceptional match," Deschamps said. "Its up to the players to get into that mentality. But we also have to realize they wont play with 10 players at the back. We have to put them under pressure from the start and show a lot of determination and keep the high tempo going until the end." Flourishing in the Premier League this season, Loic Remy had a poor game on the right wing in Kyiv and could be replaced with Karim Benzema, meaning that Deschamps could keep Olivier Giroud as his central sriker. Samir Nasri had a quiet game and may be replaced in the playmakers role by Mathieu Valbuena. Franck Ribery will also need to raise his game with the national team to prove that he fully deserves the FIFA Ballon dOr. Ribery who struggled to make any meaningful impact in Ukraine, has been tipped to claim the FIFA accolade after helping Bayern Munich to the Champions League. "Obviously, Ukraine knew how dangerous Ribery could be," Deschamps said. "They were very aggressive toward him. They made a lot of fouls that went unpunished. Ukraine eliminated Franck. He had very few chances to take on his opponent one-on-one. There was always a midfielder around to provide back-up." With Laurent Koscielny suspended after his sending off, Deschamps has a major headache in defence and must decide who will play alongside Eric Abidal. With Raphael Varane struggling with a sore knee, Deschamps must pick between the inexperienced Mamamdou Sakho and Bacary Sagna. Sagna plays at right back for Arsenal but has played centre half before. "We were shaken over there against a very committed team who played at a very high level while we were average," Deschamps said. "We took a slap and the situation is favourable for them. It wont be easy. Were obviously not in a good position. We have to reverse the trend and believe in this now." After winning the first round of his duel with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he scored the winner in Portugals 1-0 win over Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo is hopeful he can again steal the show at the Swedish national stadium on Tuesday night. While Ibrahimovic failed to impress in Lisbon, Ronaldo dived to glance in a left-wing cross for his 44th goal in 108 international appearances, and almost added another when he headed against the crossbar late on. Portugal, which beat Sweden at home for the first time in its history, missed automatic qualification for a major international tournament for the third time in a row after qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 through the playoffs. "It was an important goal and it gave us victory," Ronaldo said. "We could have scored one or two more goals but this advantage gives us confidence for the second leg. Nothing is settled yet. Its 50-50." All four return playoffs matches take place on Tuesday, with Greece in a comfortable position following its 3-1 win over Romania in the first leg and Iceland having kept alive its hopes of reaching a first ever World Cup with a 0-0 home draw against Croatia. Several friendly matches involving European powerhouses having already qualified for the finals in Brazil are also scheduled on Tuesday, with England facing bitter rival Germany in Wembley for the showcase match of the evening. The Germans will be missing Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer after coach Joachim Low decided to try "new tactical variations and personnel." Vans False .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again. Scarpe Nike Outlet . -- Billy Andrade hasnt played much competitive golf over the past four years. http://www.scontatescarpenikeoutlet.it/i...ferte.html . They are back to a game above .500 on the year and back to .500 on the road. It was their 10th extra time game of the year, and only the second one that did not got to a shootout.World Cup winner Bryan Habana has been left out of South Africas Olympic rugby sevens squad for Rio 2016. The Springboks wing had been given permission by Top 14 side Toulon to depart for this summers tournament and was named in South Africas initial training squad for the Olympics. Habana, 33, was part of South Africas 2007 World Cup winning squad, and in 2015 equalled Jonah Lomus record of 15 tries in World Cups. But despite making 117 Test appearances for their 15-a-side team he will not be competing in Rio. Great Britain warm up for Olympics Great Britain continued preparations for next months Rio Olympics by taking victory against Exeter My appreciation and gratitude for getting the opportunity to have beeen a part of the @blitzboks #RoadToRio far outweighs the disappointment of not making the final squad, Habana said on Instagram. Yeezy 700 Italia. I find myself incredibly fortunate to have become a part of a very special brotherhood, to have pushed myself further than what I had imagined in making the transition over to 7s being helped each and every step of the way by all the members of the squad and getting to experience just how much love these boys have for each other!Habanas exclusion means the 33-year-old will not get the chance to win an Olympic medal and complete a career that includes World Cup and Rugby Championship wins with the Springboks, Super Rugby and Currie Cup titles with the Bulls, and a European title with Toulon. Also See: Rugby on Sky Follow @SkySportsRugby Pundits Fixtures and results ' ' '