A CONFIDENT Javier Clemente is convinced his Spanish team will burst the French bubble when the two sides meet in their crucial Group B match at Elland Road tonight.
On paper, France's recent record makes impressive reading - winner of their last to, matches, unbeaten in their last 24 and no one has scored a goal against them in the last 536 minutes of play.
But Clemente is unimpressed. "I am not worried about France. I know the way they play. They only have one player that I would have in my side - Marcel Desailly. What power, enthused Clemente.
A win is vital to Spain after their opening game against Bulgaria when they only managed a draw. France are top of the group after beating Romania 1-0 but it was an unconvincing win.
Although Clemente is remaining tight lipped about his team to play France he is expected to make wholesale changes to the side the drew with Bulgaria. Likely to be axed are defender Alberto Belsue and midfielders Guillermo Amor and Julen Guerrero.
Spain will also be without Tenerife striker Juan Antonio Pizzi, who has a one match suspension after being sent off against the Bulgarians.
Brazilian born Donato of Deportivo La Coruna will probably replace Amor in the centre of midfield alongside Fernando Hierio, while Jorge Otero of Valencia steps in at right back for Belsue.
Alfonso Perez of Real Betis, who scored Spain's equaliser with his first touch seconds after coming on, will almost certainly replace Pizzi in attack. Real Madrid's Jose Amavisca should replace Guerrero.
Luis Enrique will play further forward than against the Bulgarians as Spain look for the victory they need to ensure they qualify for the quarter finals. With Donato, Clemente is looking for more ball winning strength against a talented French midfield, plus the veteran's ability to launch quick attacks and shoot from a distance.
Hierro, like the rest of the team, refuses to be overawed by the French, after watching them beat Romania. "I liked France's team work more than the individual aspects of their game, but didn't think that at any point they were better than the Romanians," said the Real Madrid star.
Meanwhile French defender Jocelyn Angloma looks set to remain on the bench, a fact that does not please the AC Milan player. "Against Romania it was the first match of the tournament and the one I didn't want to miss at all costs," said Angloma.
