Blanc disappointed with tired France

France coach Laurent Blanc blamed fatigue for his team’s 1-1 draw with Belarus in Euro 2012 qualifying on Friday.

A goal from attacker Florent Malouda cancelled out Eric Abidal’s earlier own goal as France were forced to settle for a point at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk.

They maintain a four-point lead over second-placed Belarus in Group D, but Blanc admitted he was disappointed to only come away with a draw.

“I’m disappointed by the result because we went to Belarus to win,” Blanc said.

“We could not succeed so we are disappointed. Disappointed by the result but also the way we played.”

“In the first half, we could not play very well. In the second half, we played better. Positive stuff is the reaction after our own goal. We wanted to create something but we were very tired and we could not put this team in difficulty.”

The draw completed two good results for Belarus against France, after they collected a 1-0 win at the Stade de France in September last year.

Blanc said Bernd Stange’s team should be happy to have taken four points from their two clashes.

“Belarus defended perfectly, bravo to them. In two games, they take four points off France,” he said.

“Honestly, they should be very satisfied because the way they played was poor. But ultimately they have a draw and a victory. They have done their best against us.”

With several of his players coming off long domestic seasons, Blanc said they struggled physically.

But he pinpointed Malouda as a positive to come out of the game and said he was one of few able to cope with the physical demands.

“He did well. Physically, he responded well. He still had the strength. He ran everywhere and he scores as well, he was always available,” Blanc said.

“There are players who have played at their level because they still had some energy. Tonight some players wanted to do better but unfortunately the body does not follow.”

Blanc said he felt his side had the momentum to find a late winner but applauded Belarus’ defending to hold them out.