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France have come a long way from the shameful Raymond Domenech era that pushed French football into an all time low following the infamous farcical scenes in South Africa two years back that were watched live on television by a shell shocked nation. Former World Cup winner Laurent Blanc has done a fantastic job in steering a broken national team through the violent waters of international football for the past couple of years. Guess what, the ice-cold Blanc has turned the Les Blues into genuine contenders for Euro 2012.
February’s 2-1 friendly win over hot favourites Germany in Bremen ensured that France are well on track to restore their badly damaged pride and Euro 2012 would be the ideal setting for the country to taste international success since Zinedine Zidane inspired the French to World Cup and European Championship victories in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Being part of those dream squads, Laurent Blanc has instilled a never-say-die attitude in the current squad that had to be completely overhauled after the 2010 World Cup debacle. Having exited Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 in the group stages, Laurent Blanc is determined to take France back to that level again from where they can be once again clubbed among the elites of World and European football.
France open their campaign in Donetsk against England on June 11 followed by games against Ukraine and Sweden. Although no team is easy to play in the Euros yet the Les Blues fancy their chances to top Group D given the quality the side possess. A successful Euro 2012 qualifying campaign has proved once again that France have loads of talent on the pitch and these talents if properly nurtured on the big stage could bring glory to the two time European champions.
Star Player
Since the embarrassment of 2010, Blanc has showed immense faith in some of the players whose talents were largely untapped by Raymond Domenech but flourished under the former Bordeaux manager’s astute guidance. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is an eye-catching talent who was one of the stand out players in the qualifiers netting three goals in seven matches and helping others to score on numerous occasions. The 2011-2012 has been a wonderfully productive season for the 24-year old former Lyon forward. After a tumultuous couple of seasons with Real Madrid, Benzema showed his full potential at the Bernabeu by scoring more than thirty goals and setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for many more.
At 24 Karim Benzema has a similar aura around him that defined the careers of Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. Here is a player who is immensely fond of his national coach and has even admitted he would die for Laurent Blanc. Born to Algerian parents, Benzema knows that France’s attacking force would revolve around him and this is his best chance to shine at an international tournament after guiding Real Madrid to domestic success. All the talk of Karim Benzema being casual in his approach and not fitness concerned, Jose Mourinho and Laurent Blanc have over the course of the season lauded their forward for showing immense mental strength on the pitch.
At Madrid despite Ronaldo walking away with all the applause, Benzema had spearheaded the Real attack with flying colours showcasing his technical ability, team effort, poerful physical presence and an enthusiastic intention to be a leader on the field. His versatility as a player down the wings frightening defenses with breathtaking pace and skill would come in handy for France in Poland and the Ukraine.
Les Blues have traditionally struggled in the absence of a leader. Michel Platini inspired his country to Euro 1984 victory but France struggled to qualify for big tournaments after his retirement in 1986 until another inspirational leader in the form of Zinedine Zidane helped France to victory in 1998 World Cup and 2000 European championships and yet again the country has struggled to restore past glory since Zidane’s infamous sending off in World Cup 2006 and his subsequent retirement from international football. Maybe the time has come for someone to push himself up the ladder and take France forward into another glory-ridden era. So many things are common between Zidane and Benzema with both having deep Algerian roots. Benzema has a very close relationship with Laurent Blanc similar to what Zidane had with Aime Jacquet when France lifted the 1998 World Cup. Both flourished in Spain with Real Madrid although comparisons between the two might be a bit hard on Karim Benzema as the player has developed immensely with a talent completely of his own that has won matches for both club and country this season.
Former World Cup hero Emmanuel Petit thinks Benzema would have a huge influence at Euro 2012 and has hailed the steady improvement of the former Lyon player.
“He’s taken on another dimension. Last year, everyone thought he would leave (Madrid),” Petit told The Associated Press. “What he’s done is exceptional, when you think how much pressure is at Madrid. It’s the mark of a great player.”
“When you consider his mental strength, the way he took up a difficult challenge at Madrid, he’s gone up a level,” former midfielder Petit added.
Season achievements
- 2011-2012 La Liga title with Real Madrid.
- 32 goals in all competitions including 21 in 34 league appearances
- Scored three goals in seven qualifiers on road to Euro 2012 including one goal in the 2011-2012 season
