Denmark have been thoroughly disappointing thus far in the tournament, laborious against Saudi Arabia (1-0) and patchy against the South Africans (1-1). Bo Johansson has been running a remarkably carefree laid-back training camp at Saint Cyr Sur Mer. If the redcoats and talent contests atmosphere backfires, however, the price will be high for Johansson.
The Danes have Wieghorst and Molnar out through suspension, with another five nursing yellow cards through the game, and needing just a draw to go through, they are expected to put safety first and opt for a 4-4-2. Wieghorst and Molnar had come on as substitutes, however, when dismissed against South Africa and Johannsson is expected to go with the same personnel. Pressure is mounting on Ebbe Sand, top scorer in the Danish league last year with 27 goals in 27 games. His four international appearances since his debut in April have failed to yield a goal, however.
France, already qualified, have the luxury of playing 90 minutes of World Cup football without the usual broiling pressure which the home crowd inflicts on them. With Zidane lost to them for two games and Petit and Deschamps both on yellow cards, Aime Jacquet is expected to exercise extreme caution in his team selection, lest he find himself with a second string midfield when the second round starts. Thus, Patrick Vieira is expected to see his first World Cup action beside Boghossian.
The slender sheaf of attacking options available to Jacquet looks more meagre with the possible absence through injury of Dugarry and he is expected to rest Thierry Henry, playing Pires, Djorkaeff and Diomede behind either Trezeguet or Dugarry.
On paper it has the makings of a World Cup classic, in reality the mathematics of pragmatism may dictate something more prosaic.
Probable Teams France: Barthez; Karembeu, Leboeuf, Desailly, Diomede, Boghossian, Vieira, Pires, Djorkaeff; Trezeguet (or Dugarry), Guivarc'h. Denmark: Schmeichel; Colding, Rieper, Hoegh, Schjonberg; Helveg, Nielsen, Jorgensen, Laudrup; Laudrup, Sand.
