Bosnia present tough test for ailing France

Italy should have a more comfortable day, with a home tie against Faroe Islands, while Germany host Azerbaijan and England face what could be a tricky away match in Switzerland.

Blanc, who took over from Raymond Domenech after France's World Cup fiasco, is a well-liked figure and is never likely to become as unpopular as his predecessor.

The French public and media, still fuming at their players' strike in South Africa, recognise that the new man needs time to build a new team and a new attitude - even if the fans jeered after the opening 1-0 Group D defeat in the Stade de France.

"Under such circumstances we cannot say we are going to Bosnia to win," Blanc said. "After what happened on Friday, we need to remain humble."

Asked when his team would become competitive, he said: "I don't know. It can take a year but it might also never happen. I'm just hoping we can solve our problem as quickly as possible."

"France are coming to us as wounded lions but we will also try to cause a surprise," said coach Safet Susic.

Serbia, likely to be Italy's chief group rivals, are at home to fellow 2010 World Cup participants Slovenia, who need to make up ground quickly following their surprise 1-0 home defeat by Northern Ireland in their opener.

Coach Fabio Capello, struggling to rebuild England's confidence and his own reputation after the