Former champions France should put modest Honduras to the sword in their World Cup Group E opener in Porto Alegre tonight – although their penchant for self-destruction gives the Central Americans hope of an upset.
Les Bleus go into the campaign with a happier, more settled squad under coach Didier Deschamps and will aim to banish the memories of the 2010 tournament in South Africa, when the players revolted against Raymond Domenech and flew home in disgrace after a disastrous showing.
Those with longer memories will also recall their opener as reigning champions in 2002 against Senegal, who handed them an embarrassing defeat that led to an early exit.
France were dealt a blow when veteran Frank Ribery pulled out of the squad with a back injury. The 31-year-old, though erratic in his performances for the national team, was in outstanding form for his club Bayern Munich in the past few seasons and was expected to spearhead the French challenge.
Midfielder Clement Grenier has also been ruled out of action. Morgan Schneiderlin and Remy Cabella have been drafted in their place.
The focus will now be on Karim Benzema, the 26-year-old Real Madrid striker who has excelled for the Spanish club last season. Much is also expected of Paul Pogba.
France struggled to qualify for Brazil – going to the play-offs and managing to secure a 3-0 victory against Ukraine in Paris to turn around a 2-0 deficit.
They are not among the favourites to win, but in a relatively easy group which also includes Switzerland and Ecuador, they should start out on the road to the knock-out rounds against Honduras.
For Honduras, Bob Dylan’s adage “When you ain’t got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose” might be their campaign motto.
The Central Americans have not won a single game in their only two appearances in 1982 and 2010. They failed to score a goal in South Africa.
Still, they should give a decent account of themselves this time round and the positive mood was boosted by a scoreless draw against England in a friendly in Miami last week.
The Hondurans, coached by Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez, reached Brazil after gaining a famous victory away against Mexico in the Azteca stadium in a crucial qualifying game.
Much will rest on Wilson Palacios’s shoulders even though he spent a lot of time on the bench this season for his club side, Stoke.
Emilio Izaguirre, of Celtic, will also have to be at his best in defence to stem the French attack.
Up front, they will rely on strikers Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly, hardly household names but scorers of 16 goals between them in 16 qualifiers.
Costly will be hoping his name is pro-pitious against the French.