Clichy: Rooney´s absence will not matter

Gael Clichy has dismissed suggestions the absence of Wayne Rooney will make life easier for France in Monday’s Euro 2012 opener against England.

The Manchester United striker is suspended for his country’s opening two fixtures and the commonly-held view is that his unavailability is a major plus for France.

However, Clichy does not agree with the general consenus, arguing that England have the strength in depth to cope without their star forward.

“I don’t think it makes any difference,” the Manchester City full-back told Fifa.com. “People think it’s better to play them without Rooney, who is suspended, and in their first competitive match under their new coach (Roy Hodgson).

“But we’re talking about a very experienced team that has players like John Terry and Steven Gerrard, who could pretty much play without a coach.

“Rooney’s absence could be an advantage for us, but they have so much quality that it doesn’t really matter whether we play them at the start or at the end. Still, the first match of a tournament is crucial.”

While Laurent Blanc’s men are undefeated in 21 games, they are not the favourites to prevail in Poland and Ukraine, with many pundits predicting a repeat of the 2008 final between Spain and Germany.

Clichy, though, is quite content that France are considered outsiders for the title.

“We know we’re not favourites, but we have what it takes to have a good Euros and make our fans happy,” the former Arsenal man declared.

“I remember in the 1998 World Cup that people didn’t talk very much about France winning, but rather about doing well in front of their home support. The outsider tag could be an advantage.

“Arsene Wenger often used to say that it’s better to be the second or third team in the title race rather than the first, with all the pressure and tension that goes with it.

“At the moment, Germany and Spain are favourites and are given more attention than France, which could be something positive.

“But it also means that those teams are ahead of us. It’s up to us to make up the ground and restore France’s strength.”