Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Luxembourg v France

France will be looking to continue their post-World Cup revival when they meet Luxembourg in Euro 2012 qualifying on Friday.

France, who currently occupy top spot in Group D, have undergone a regeneration under new coach Laurent Blanc, unbeaten in their last five matches including victories over England and Brazil in recent friendlies.Under the guidance of Blanc, there has been a telling air of optimism generated on and off the field, and none off the squabbling and drama which plagued the side during the tenure of previous manager Raymond Domenech.They will be banking on prolific marksman Karim Benzema extending his good run of form in front of goal for club and country when they travel to the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg on Friday.The Real Madrid striker is beginning to live up to his 35-million-euro price tag, bagging 22 goals in all competitions for Real, in addition his recent tally with the national setup.The 23-year-old also scored in the corresponding game against Luxembourg in France in October.The other major talking point during the week has been the return of Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery to the national team setup, after serving suspensions for their role in player strike in South Africa.Luxembourg, while not expected to mount a sizeable challenge against the French, enter the game in good spirits after surprising Slovakia in a friendly last month, courtesy of a Daniel da Mota double.However, they are rooted to the bottom of the group, having recorded only a solitary point in qualifying so far and failing to score in their four Group D games.The less-fancied Luxembourg are widely expected to deploy a defensive tactic against their opponents, with Laurent Blanc saying during the week he expects to confront a team with “one up front and practically nine at the back ? 10 including the goalkeeper.”