Laurent
Koscielny and Yohan Cabaye have warned their France teammates against
complacency in their last-16 World Cup clash with Nigeria in Brasilia on
Monday.
France head into the clash in as clear favourites to beat the Super Eagles en route to sealing a quarter-final spot.
However, the African champions pushed
Argentina all the way in a thrilling 3-2 defeat to the South Americans
on Wednesday, and Arsenal defender Koscielny is well aware that Les
Blues have a game on their hands.
“The first objective was to get through the group phase. Now it’s to go as far as possible,” he told FIFA.com.
“We are competitors and we are ambitious, but we know that we have opponents against us and that we might lose.
“We’re aware of our qualities, but
anything is possible in a knockout match and for the moment we’re only
focusing on the last 16.”
Paris St-Germain’s Cabaye, who returns
to the France squad having been suspended for Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with
Ecuador, insists the Eagles cannot be taken lightly.
“One false step and you’re home, so you already have that pressure,” the former Newcastle player was quoted by BBC Sport as saying on Sunday.
“I respect this Nigerian team and we can go through but to say we can win the World Cup… well you have to be careful.
“Even with the mentality and
determination we have on the pitch, there’s nothing to say we won’t be
beaten by a better side. Going from having ambition to saying we have to
win the World Cup is putting yourself under unnecessary pressure.”
