Blanc wants fresh start for Les Bleus

France coach Laurent Blanc wants the talk surrounding Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery to stop as the pair prepare to make their first international appearances since the World Cup.

Manchester United defender Evra, who was appointed France captain on the eve of last year’s tournament in South Africa, was banned from the national team for five matches as punishment for his part in the infighting and indiscipline which broke out within the ranks.

Bayern Munich winger Ribery was banned for three matches for his involvement.

But both have been welcomed back by Blanc ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2012 qualifying match away to Luxembourg.

And while the coach has let plenty be spoken about both players this week, he now wants the focus to be on the match itself.

“Franck and Patrice were aware that part of the week would be devoted to this and the past,” Blanc said.

“But at the same time, it was the best way to close this chapter, even though I know there will always be people who try to keep talking about it.”

Blanc’s team will be expected to beat Luxembourg at the Stade Josy Barthel, however the Group D minnows restricted France to a 2-0 home victory when the teams met in October, so it may not be straightforward.

Since then, Luxembourg have also recorded a surprise 2-1 win over Slovakia in a friendly.

“We’re going to concentrate on ourselves,” Blanc said. “This match is important.

“There are opponents who have lost points against us, and it’s up to us to take all six against them.

“But we don’t believe that all we have to do is go on the pitch to win.

“We’ll firstly try to play well, and to show more urgency and intensity than in the first match.”

Blanc is hoping to see the best of Karim Benzema, following his recent impressive form for Real Madrid.

“He is full of confidence and that’s good for everyone,” Blanc said.

“He’s one of the players who can decide games. We are lucky to have him.”

Luxembourg coach Luc Holtz can point to his team’s three-match unbeaten run at home, but he knows that will come under threat tomorrow.

Luxembourg drew 0-0 with Belarus in a Euro 2012 qualifier last October, before their away defeat to France, and have since held Algeria 0-0 and beaten Slovakia in friendlies.

Following the manner of the defeat in France last October, when Luxembourg emerged with plenty of credit for their effort, Holtz is taking a positive attitude into the home fixture.

Memories of the night in Metz have come flooding back as Holtz prepares his team to take on the French again.

“I asked them before the match to perform like professionals, and they did it,” Holtz said.

“It wasn’t a fluke that we only lost 2-0 that night. We didn’t give away the ball in defence. We kept a maximum number of men behind the ball and we knew when to play the ball long at the right times, when there was danger.

“The day when Luxembourg build from the back and go and score a goal is still a long way off. In relation to the away match, we shouldn’t change much on Friday. We have to keep the same mindset. I would simply like us to be more calm in possession of the ball.”

Holtz will be without his regular captain Rene Peters, who is suspended.

And the home coach is guarded about what Luxembourg might be able to achieve with home advantage.

“Inevitably, our recent results have given us a certain confidence,” he told www.wort.lu.

“But we must also keep both feet on the ground, knowing our strengths and weaknesses.”