Lemerre urges caution

France coach Roger Lemerre has warned his world and European champions to be on their guard against a shock against Senegal today.

Les Bleus will open their World Cup defence against the first-time African qualifiers in Seoul in the tournament’s opening match and are hot favourites to win the game.

However, Lemerre harked back to Italia 90 to warn his stars that shocks can happen, as when Cameroon beat Argentina 1-0 in Milan 12 years ago.

Lemerre said: ‘‘There was a shock in 1990 - I was at that match, I remember it well. Cameroon played exceptionally well and surprised Argentina and certainly we will take a warning from what happened then.

‘‘But also remember it did not stop Argentina from getting all the way to the final and then as now Cameroon were the best team in Africa.’’