Blanc: Benzema, Giroud pairing viable

France coach Laurent Blanc said Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud can play in the same XI, but they may not do so in their Euro 2012 opener.

Both players are coming off the back of hugely successful club campaigns, with Benzema having played an integral role in Real Madrid’s Liga triumph and Giroud having fired Montpellier to Ligue 1 glory.

Blanc has already intimated that Benzema will lead the Les Bleus attack at the Euros but has now admitted that he is toying with the idea of a front two for their opening clash with England on June 11.

“Benzema and Giroud can play together,” the former Bordeaux coach told reporters on Wednesday.

“They are two interesting players but they are complementary – I’m convinced of that.

“But there are choices to make, tactically in particular. It is necessary to think about the balance of the team.”

Blanc also admitted that he had been hoping to call upon the services of Yoann Gourcuff in Poland and Ukraine, but felt that he had no option but to drop the Lyon playmaker because of his fitness problems this season.

“Gourcuff had a big role to play. But he was injured,” he said.

When asked about how his side will line out for the meeting with old rivals England in Donetsk, Blanc replied: “I don’t know. But we will play to win.”

France play their final warm-up game on Thursday, against Serbia, and Blanc is expecting another tough test in light of their hard-earned victory over Iceland at the weekend.

“On paper, Serbia is better armed than Iceland. But it will be a different match,” he said.

“Whatever the opposition, we want to do what we set out to do. And without announcing the team, I say to you that there will be many changes.”

France and England and joined in Group D by tournament co-hosts Ukraine and Sweden.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blanc-benzema-giroud-pairing-viable/95540/

Giroud looks to push claims World Soccer Shop

Olivier Giroud is optimistic his breakthrough season will continue apace as France face Serbia in their Euro 2012 warm-up match on Thursday.

Giroud: Brings 'something different'

Giroud shone at domestic level last season with his league-high 21 goals guiding Montpellier to their maiden Ligue 1 title, and the international scene has already had a taste of the 25-year-old's talents thanks to impressive performances in his first four outings for Les Bleus.

His first international goal arrived in a memorable 2-1 win over Germany in February, while in his latest international outing, against Iceland at the weekend, he came off the bench to set up two goals as Laurent Blanc's men battled back for a 3-2 victory.

Giroud should have done enough to earn a start against Serbia and he is confident he can offer the national side "something different" as Blanc seeks to finalise his plans ahead of France's Group D opener against England on June 11.

"I have increased my level of trust and showed my team-mates what my game is about," said Giroud, who made his debut in a friendly against the United States in November.

"My role is to provide something different. For me it is something new and special. I am very proud to wear the blue jersey, but I'm even more in official competition. That's a lot of pressure, but it's good pressure."

Asked whether Blanc would look to pair him up front alongside Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Giroud said: "It is conceivable, but the Euros are imminent. A change of tactics, trying new things, it is not a given, but if I continue like this, I will have my chance.

"I am ambitious, but it's not me who selects the team."

After spending his earlier career at clubs such as Grenoble, Istres and Tours, Giroud came to greater prominence with 12 Ligue 1 goals for Montpellier as they finished 14th at the end of the 2010-11 season.

But it was his exploits during Montpellier's unexpected title challenge that cemented his reputation and forced Blanc to take a closer look.

"It happened pretty quickly," Giroud said of his elevation to the national team. "It proves that with self-sacrifice, labour and a hint of talent, it can be done."

Giroud was named among Blanc's final 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine when the coach finalised his selection, with Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and Giroud's Montpellier team-mate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa the men to miss out.

Those who survived the cut but did not start against Iceland on Sunday are pushing to stake their claim, with Laurent Koscielny and Gael Clichy poised to come in for Philippe Mexes and Patrice Evra in defence.

First-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should return as France seek to extend their unbeaten run to 20 games under Blanc, while Yann M'Vila, Mathieu Valbuena and Florent Malouda are also likely to start.

Serbia, who have not qualified for Euro 2012, head into the match under a cloud after Fiorentina midfielder Adem Ljajic was dropped by coach Sinisa Mihajlovic not singing the national anthem prior to their 2-0 defeat to Spain on Saturday.

The Serbians also play Sweden next week as part of a three-match summer schedule that they are using as preparation ahead of the start of World Cup qualifying later this year.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17463/giroud_looks_to_push_claims