Thierry Henry will be out to break Michel Platini's scoring
record when France entertains Lithuania in Nantes in yet another
make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.
Barcelona striker Henry netted his 41st goal with Les Bleus in a
6-0 thrashing of the Faroe Islands on the weekend, equaling the
now-UEFA president's record.
"Beating Michel Platini would be something extraordinary," said
Henry, who had to wait for his 95th cap to score his 41st
international goal, compared to the French playmaker, who netted it
in the 68th of his 72 games with Les Bleus.
"However, it will not be important if the goal is useless. We
have to beat Lithuania and look at the result of Scotland vs
Italy.
"One of the two teams will drop points and it will then be up to
us to go and grab something in Ukraine."
France is third in the Group B standings, two points adrift of
leader Scotland and one behind world champion Italy with two
matches remaining.
If they fail to beat both Lithuania and Ukraine in Kiev next
month, the World Cup finalists will have to hope for Scotland or
Italy to slip up.
"The Lithuania game is the second stage of a three-stage race,
coach Raymond Domenech told the French federation's website on
Monday.
Anelka out
"It's a work in progress. We know that we have to win the last
two matches so we don't have to bother with the others'
results."
Domenech is expected to reshuffle the team who demolished the
Faroe Islands, injecting experience and fresh blood after Les Bleus
needed more than 24 hours to arrive in Torshavn because of bad
weather.
Arsenal center back William Gallas, who has not played since
picking up a groin injury in August, should be fielded alongside
Lilian Thuram with Barcelona's Eric Abidal sliding back to the left
flank.
Bakary Sagna should make room in the right back position for
Lassana Diarra, who produced a man-of-the-match performance in
Italy. Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda is set to return in the
midfield at the expense of PSG's Jerome Rothen, who scored France's
fourth in Torshavn with a fine free kick.
However, Domenech will have to make do without Bolton Wanderers
striker Nicolas Anelka, who has pulled out with a thigh injury and
has been replaced by Monaco's Frederic Piquionne.
Sevilla defender Julien Escude also had to pull out of the game
through injury.
Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who has scored three goals
in five appearances with France, is widely expected to pair up with
Henry up front.
Possible France team: Mickael Landreau; Lassana Diarra, Lilian
Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal; Claude Makelele, Jeremy
Toulalan, Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery; Karim Benzema, Thierry
Henry.
(China Daily via Agencies October 17, 2007)