Euro 2012: Laurent Blanc still wary of familiar foe Andriy Shevchenko

Laurent Blanc has painful memories of Andriy Shevchenko on the pitch but the France coach is refusing to panic before his team face Ukraine in Euro 2012 Group D today.

Les Bleus, who drew 1-1 with England in their opening game, will need inspiration to beat the co-hosts who started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Sweden. “I know Shevchenko well, I played against him and he was difficult to mark,” said Blanc, who faced the striker wearing the Inter Milan shirt when the Ukrainian was at AC Milan. “I was not always happy at the end of the games. He is in great form, but he needs a bit of space to show it.”

In Shevchenko, Ukraine have a world-class player and France must show they have at least one too, according to Blanc. “Great players are always there on big occasions. If we have great players, they will have to prove it tomorrow because we must win,” he said.

A defeat would leave France on the brink of their third consecutive first-round elimination in a major championship. But Blanc is confident his team have what it takes to beat Ukraine who they have never lost to in six matches. “I heard the Ukraine coach [Oleg Blokhin] said he did not fear France. He can rest assured, we do not fear Ukraine either, even if we respect them,” he said.

Just like Blokhin, Blanc said he did not know yet what his starting line-up would be, although he hinted Yann Mvila could start after missing the first game through injury. Should Mvila be selected, Alou Diarra, who produced a solid performance against England, would drop to the bench.

Another factor will be the heat with temperatures expected to reach at least 35°C.