Having already impressed on numerous occasions off the bench for Les Bleus, Mathieu Valbuena will have a big role to play at the Euros. Just four days before their opening match against England, he declared: "We're embarking on an adventure. Some players will play... others less, but everyone has to be ready when we are called upon. If and when I get that call I will try and give the maximum."
Concerning the competition for places within the squad, the Olympian added: "There will be those that start matches, but that can change because you can always find answers off the bench. We will need the whole squad and its important to keep that in your mind."
A Marseille player since 2006, Mathieu feels right at home with Les Bleus, but admits he's a little "less crazy than I am at OM", adding he's "more calm in [his] playing style." Yet he still plays to his strengths that were invaluable to OM this past season: speed, changes in rhythm and precious assists. And always with that trademark determination: "In my mind, the aim is to always give it absolutely everything out on the pitch."
As has often been the case in his club football, Mathieu is going to fight hard and do everything to force his way into that starting XI... Who knows? "We always want to play in every match, but my approach at the moment is to try and win my place in the side. At any rate, I have to be ready to play against anyone at any moment." Perhaps against the English on Monday, a team against whom he has already shone, in scoring the winner at Wembley just 18 months ago.