France's Yohan Cabaye warns team against World Cup overconfidence

Midfielder Yohan Cabaye returns to the France lineup with a strong message for his teammates: don’t be overconfident. Cabaye will face Nigeria in Monday’s Round of 16 game as France aims to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2006, the year it lost the final to Italy. [caption id=“attachment_1596185” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of France’s Yohan Cabaye (L). Reuters[/caption] Cabaye was suspended for Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador, and his crisp passing was sorely missed. Since that game, defender Bacary Sagna and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin — Cabaye’s replacement against Ecuador — confidently promoted France’s chances, with Sagna saying on Friday it would be “a failure” not to win the tournament. “It’s great to be ambitious and that’s why we’re here. But to say we’re going to win the World Cup is a lot,” Cabaye said. “Confidence shouldn’t become arrogance because that’s when you have big problems.” Although France is touted as the pre-match favorite against a Nigeria lineup playing in the knockout phase for the first time since 1998 — the year France won the World Cup — Cabaye thinks looking beyond Monday’s game only makes things more difficult, as well as being disrespectful to the African champions. “One false step and you’re home, so you already have that pressure. I respect this Nigeria team, and we can go through but to say we can win the World Cup … well you have to be careful,” he said. “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.” France has kept two clean sheets so far, but the way it allowed two goals in quick succession in the 5-2 win against Switzerland showed what can happen when complacency creeps in. “When we ease up a bit we’re vulnerable to conceding goals. We showed that against the Swiss although it was 5-0 by then,” Cabaye said. “We can’t relax at any point and those two goals will serve as a good lesson for us.” Cabaye has been a key part of the team ever since Didier Deschamps took charge after the European Championship two years ago, and he found it tough to watch the match against Ecuador. “It was a long game watching from the stands,” he said. Another player set to regain his spot is right winger Mathieu Valbuena, whose absence also contributed to a disjointed performance against Ecuador. “Mathieu is a key part of the team and he shows it every time he wears the France jersey,” Cabaye said. “His love of the game and the fact he loves getting on the ball helps us. He’s always creating chances and he’s decisive, whether it’s passing or shooting.” France played its three group games in the late afternoon, Monday’s game in Brasilia will start at 1 p.m. — which may feel unusual for some French players. “Nigeria already played Argentina at that time so maybe they’re more used to it,” Cabaye said. “We’re going to have to adapt quickly and find our rhythm.” Another player set to regain his spot is right winger Mathieu Valbuena, whose absence also contributed to a disjointed performance against Ecuador. “Mathieu is a key part of the team and he shows it every time he wears the France jersey,” Cabaye said. “His love of the game and the fact he loves getting on the ball helps us. He’s always creating chances and he’s decisive, whether it’s passing or shooting.” AP