Lizarazu returns to French XI

Bixente Lizarazu returned for France’s final Group B match with Switzerland at the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra as coach Jacques Santini made four changes to the team held 2-2 by Croatia.

Lizarazu, dropped against Croatia, returned at left-back despite publicly criticising Santini’s tactics with Mikael Silvestre moving back into the centre of defence alongside Lilian Thuram.

Marcel Desailly was left on the bench.

Willy Sagnol replaced William Gallas at right-back, Claude Makelele returned to the midfield in place of Olivier Dacourt while Robert Pires also came back into the starting XI for Sylvain Wiltord.

Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn made five changes to the side which lost 3-0 to England.

He dropped 34-year-old Stephane Chapuisat to field a young forward line even though his attack has already been depleted by the injury that ruled Marco Streller out of the tournament and the 15-day ban imposed on Alexander Frei for spitting at England’s Steven Gerrard.

In a Christmas tree formation, Johann Vonlanthen was picked up front on his own with Daniel Gygax also coming in to join Hakan Yakin in close support just behind him.

Ricardo Cabanas and Johann Vogel joined Raphael Wicky in a three-man midfield with Fabio Celestini and Benjamin Huggel omitted.

In defence Stephane Henchoz came in for the suspended Bernt Haas.

France, watched by Jean Tigana who is strongly tipped to succeed Tottenham-bound Santini after the tournament, needed a point to be certain of progressing to the last eight while the Swiss knew victory would see them qualify at the expense of the defending champions – provided England and Croatia did not draw in Lisbon.