Theo Bowyer: Kante reminds me of a more mobile Makelele... Keeps the French ticking

Olivier Giroud chases Dimitri Payet's ball over the top. It's too long for the striker but he does well to stop the ball going out for a goal kick and keep Albania on the defensive with a throw in.

Image source, EPA

Laurent Koscielny takes a bit of a whack to the back of his head after challenging Armando Sadiku for a ball. He comes off worse from a 50-50, but the France fans are not happy with the Albania striker and a chorus of boos and whistles ring out from all sides of the ground.

You could argue it was a brave move by France boss Didier Deschamps to chuck Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman in from the start. And it has not really paid off... Yet.

As you can see in our graphic, Martial (11) and Coman (20) have only managed seven successful passes between them, with neither asking any serious questions of the Albanian defence.

Image source, opta

Early days, but it's not happening for Anthony Martial or Kingsley Coman. Both are playing very wide and offering very little link-up with Olivier Giroud. France are a bit disjointed in attack at the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Lennon
Hibernian manager in Marseille for BBC Radio 5 live

"Fantastic play from Albania. They've been patient, defended well, and all of a sudden a few passes strung together creates a brilliant opening and they almost score.

"Giroud is isolated up front for France. This is suiting Albania here. We're not talking about their goalkeeper having to make saves. It's very comfortable for them right now."

I'm busting out the 'close!' headline for this one as Albania go within a whisker of taking a shock lead. 

Armando Sadiku stretches out a foot to meet a cross but Hugo Lloris just gets ahead of him to scoop up the ball. 

Good stuff from Albania so far, maybe my draw from the office sweepstake is not so bad afterall...

Image source, Reuters

Neil Lennon
Hibernian manager in Marseille for BBC Radio 5 live

"It's opening up. And that suits France. What a pass into Martial from Payet just now, brilliantly defended though by Arlind Ajeti. Martial couldn't get his shot away."

Image source, Reuters

Brilliant challenge by Arlind Ajeti as he leaves Anthony Martial swinging his boot at air before launching a quick counter attack for Albania. Unsurprisingly, they haven't got the numbers to make it count. 

Albania have not succeeded in quieting the home crowd. Half the battle when facing a tournament host.

France are doing most of the running but - as their heatmap on the left shows - are struggling to make much of an impact in the Albania box. Albania's snazzy graphic tells us that they are looking to exploit France in the wide areas when they do manage to break. However, they are yet to have a single touch in the France danger-zone.

Image source, Opta

There's just the slightest hint of frustration creeping in as Anthony Martial gives away a free-kick to end a France attack. He rolls his eyes when the whistle goes, looking like a teenager who is told it's past his bedtime.

Neil Lennon
Hibernian manager in Marseille for BBC Radio 5 live

"France are just playing a bit safe at the minute. I don't know if it's the occasion getting to them, but they're not opening Albania up as we expected they would."

Paul Collins: Martial is overrated! He's had like 10 games for France and 0 goals. All pace not much else. Griezmann is far superior.

Arlind Ajeti shanks a clearance behind to hand France a corner. It could have been much worse, though, as he had absolutely no idea where the ball was going. The corner comes to nothing.

Anthony Martial gets the chance to show his pace as Blaise Matuidi plays the Manchester United forward into space and he charges into the area, but his shot is blocked.

Image source, Reuters

Neil Lennon
Hibernian manager in Marseille for BBC Radio 5 live

"Albania just taking the pace out of the game with a bit of passing, switching the play. They've started really well. I've been very impressed with their left-back Ansi Agolli, the captain." 

First shot for Albania comes from the boot of Ermir Lenjani, but it's only troubling the fans in the top tier as he skews an effort high and wide from 30 yards.

Ryan: Dechamps is playing havoc with my fantasy team dropping Pogba. I took Coman out this morning too.

France, as you would expect, are hogging the ball like the best player at junior school used to do in the playground. Les Blues are dominating the early possession but, territory-wise, Albania are holding their own.

Image source, Opta

France are momentarily down to 10 men as Olivier Giroud decides he isn't happy with his boots so pops off for a quick swap. A chance for Albania to make the most of the man advantage? No, they pass it about in their own half.

So far so good for them, though.

Image source, Reuters