France Euro 2012 Roster: Latest on Team's Starting 11 and More

Most fans at the Stade Auguste-Delaune Thursday night had probably barely taken their seat before they were subjected to a throat-clutching, stomach-churning moment.

Yann M'Vila, French manager Laurent Blanc's first choice for months now at the position of central defensive midfielder—so crucial to the 4-2-3-1 formation the former Bordeaux boss has instilled for the national side—rolled his ankle just seconds into the proceedings.

After visibly struggling for five minutes, M'Vila could take no more of the duress and slumped to the pitch before being helped off by the physio staff.

Cameras caught the Rennes midfielder, who is lining up a move to a big European club following this month's tournament, in tears on the sideline. He obviously feared the worst, and with France's June 11 opener at the Euros quickly approaching, you could hardly blame him for letting his emotions get the best of him. It was evident just how much the Euros mean to him.

Thankfully, from a French perspective, examinations taken after the game showed no fracture in the ankle. We'll know more in 24 to 48 hours' time, but for now it looks as if M'Vila's participation in the Euros is still on.

Those worrisome first moments were quickly forgotten, however, as France—powered by two players (Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda) brought into the starting lineup after beginning Sunday's Iceland match on the bench (Malouda didn't even make an appearance in that one)—found themselves up 2-0 against a diminished Serbia side within 20 minutes.

Those proved to be the only goals they'd need in a match they thoroughly dominated.

Blanc made seven changes from the Iceland match, likely with the idea that Thursday's penultimate friendly offered him his last real opportunity to mix and match and experiment ahead of the tournament. The team he selects next week against Estonia will likely mirror France's final starting roster for the tournament.

Hugo Lloris, France's No. 1 for nearly three years now, took over from Steve Mandanda in goal, Anthony Reveillere took over for Mathieu Debuchy at right-back, Laurent Koscielny replaced Adil Rami in central defense, Gael Clichy usurped Patrice Evra at left-back, M'Vila was included in his normal position at CDM, and Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery were added on the wings ahead of Jeremy Menez and Hatem ben Arfa.

Malouda had seen his role at Chelsea severely diminished in 2011-12, a trend most tellingly revealed in the Champions League final in Munich, where the ex-Lyon winger didn't even make it onto the pitch.

But on Thursday, alternating with Samir Nasri from the wing to a more central offensive positioning (Nasri "started" the match at the right wing), Malouda scored France's second goal on the night when he uncorked a searing 25-yard drive with his favored left boot that gave keeper Zeljko Brkic no chance.

That strike (15') came less than five minutes after Ribery had opened the scoring with a venomous volley from the top of the penalty area that fired into the roof of the net.

It was a goal that resembled so many Ribery had scored at club level with Bayern Munich. Taking on all Serbian comers with a blinding run down the left wing, Ribery nudged the ball out to Gael Clichy, who was tracking him in support.

It was Clichy's cross into the area that caromed off the defense and straight into the path of the onrushing Ribery, who made no mistake with his powerful finish.

The Munich man has been criticized for being unable to recreate his often stellar form at club level when he dons the national kit (Thursday's goal was his first for France since March 2009), but against Serbia he looked like the dynamic attacking option who had burst onto the world's radar with his whirlwind performances at the 2006 World Cup.

That Blanc opted not to experiment with a 4-4-2 formation against Serbia likely ends that particular debate which had grown in force following Olivier Giroud's stirring substitute appearance against Iceland on Sunday night.

The Montpelier forward set up France's last two goals in their eventual 3-2 victory, leading many to wonder whether Blanc would attempt pairing Giroud with Benzema up top.

But Blanc looks likely to stick with what has gotten him to the Euros, and considering France have not lost in 20 matches while using the one-striker formation, you can hardly blame him for being reticent to switch at this late hour.

Malouda was very good against the underwhelming Serbians, and the Chelsea man had a near-telepathic understanding with Nasri in that dominant first half.

The two midfielders interchanged their positions from wing to central midfield flawlessly, helping the entire French midfield unit run like a well-oiled machine.

Given that Ben Arfa in particular was underwhelming when he came on as a substitute, and with Malouda possessing a wealth of experience at the international level (he has represented France in its last three major tournament appearances), Blanc may be persuaded to go with him.

That wonder goal certainly will have helped Malouda's case, but given Ben Arfa's terrific season with Newcastle and his excellent link-up play with Benzema against Iceland, he may still have the edge on the right wing—a position he occupies at club level, as opposed to Malouda, who is predisposed toward the left.

Central defense is also an area of intrigue. Mexes was very poor against Iceland following news reports that he had come into the French camp overweight after enduring an injury-blighted 2011-12 season with AC Milan.

But he was much more assured on Thursday, starting alongside Koscielny, and should keep his place in the starting XI. That may leave Koscielny the odd man out, with Rami likely Blanc's other first choice to form France's central defensive spine.

That may be a bit harsh on the Arsenal man who was so good in the just-finished Premier League campaign. In the two matches he's played with France (he made his full debut against USA in November), they have not conceded a goal.

Finally, left-back. Clichy put in a far better display against Serbia than Evra did facing Iceland, and may have leapfrogged the Manchester United man (just as he did in the season, when his Manchester City side won the Premiership at the expense of United) in the defensive pecking order.

Blanc is playing his cards close to the chest, however. Responding to journalists who queried whether Clichy and Malouda had made strides toward starting places, the manager said "You're moving too quickly."

As was the case with Blanc sticking with the 4-2-3-1 formation instead of switching to the 4-4-2, he may be inclined to keep Evra as the starter at left-back, given that the United man played a key role at that position during qualifying.

So, once more, here's where France's starting lineup stands, just 10 days before their group opener.

Lloris: goalkeeper,
Debuchy: right-back
Rami: center-back
Mexes: center-back
Evra: left-back
M'Vila: central midfield (health permitting—if not, Alou Diarra should take his spot)
Cabaye: central midfield
Nasri: central attacking midfield
Ribery: left wing
Ben Arfa: right wing
Benzema: center forward