Profile France Squad

France Coach

Coach Laurent Blanc has experimented with a number of different formations over the past two years. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and centre-backs Adil Rami and Philippe Mexes always play when available, Yann M'Vila is the mainstay in midfield, and Karim Benzema is the first-choice striker.

Under Blanc, Les Bleus have become more attack-minded; they invariably aim to dominate possession using their short passing game, and rely on the skills of Franck Ribéry, Samir Nasri and Benzema to unsettle defences.

Karim Benzema was left out of France's World Cup squad because of disappointing form during his first season at Real Madrid, but new coach Blanc has shown more faith in him.

The 24-year-old has also won over Jose Mourinho this season. Benzema's improved form at the Bernabeu is in part down to a new fitness regime that helped him to shed seven kilos over the summer. He scored 32 goals in all competitions and assisted 15 others, and has begun to justify his €30m price tag. Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo netted a combined 118 league and cup goals this term, breaking the record for a trio (previously set by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry in 2009).

France Squad

C'est formidable. The French are unbeaten in their last five games against England, winning four of those matches. The Three Lions' last victory was a 1-0 win in Montpellier in 1997.