If there is one damning statistic for France after losing their World Cup playoff first leg against Ukraine, it is the fact that 84 per cent of their own public are not willing to support them.
That's according to a poll in Le Parisien. The atmosphere around the French public is quite poisonous and will get even more venomous if they cannot turn the 2 - 0 deficit around at the Stade de France.
Off The Ball spoke to European football expert Ben Lyttleton tonight to gauge the chances of this French team and Iceland against Croatia.
"84 per cent are against the France team. And historically the Stade de France is not a comfortable place for France to play. France have had terrible trouble playing at home because Paris is not a huge football city and the national team has a huge disconnect dating back to Euro 2008 when there were problems in the camp. The French have also not forgiven the team for the debacle in South Africa in 2010."
There is also the fact that the much-vaunted generation of 1987 (Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez) have become serial underachievers at international level.
But odd decisions in the first leg by manager Didier Deschamps cost France according to Lyttleton.
"They did not play a clever game at all. It's partly the fault of the players. But the coach has to take some responsibility. He dropped Sagna and played Debuchy at right back. Not the best decision. The centre-back partnership didn't work at all. He also played in-form players for their clubs in different positions for their countries. He played Samir Nasri at No 10 behind the forward, where he has not played all season. He was poor. He played Loic Remy wide right where he has not played all season. These are decisions you can make in a group game but not in a playoff. He also dropped Mathieu Valbuena who has been France's most in-form player and played Nasri."
Lyttleton also believes that the away goal rule gives Ukraine an extra menacing advantage against a nervy France.
Lyttleton went on to look ahead to Iceland's trip to Croatia after a goalless draw in the first leg.
He pointed out that the Croats have not won a competitive game in eight months and are working under a new coach which could play into Iceland's hands.
But Lyttleton expects Croatia to win a tight second leg in Zagreb.
As for Sweden v Portugal, Off The Ball spoke to Portuguese football journalist Sérgio Krithinas who felt that Portugal's first leg win was a "good result".
But he believes that the Portugal team are weaker than the Euro 2012 edition despite the fact that manager Paulo Bento has not changed the team.
"Nani from Manchester United is the obvious case. He is not playing well. Portugal need another player to make a difference apart from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani should be that player. So right now Portugal are weaker than last season in Ukraine."
