Coupet calls for focused Benzema

Former France international Gregory Coupet has advised Karim Benzema to vent his frustrations on the pitch against Spain.

Benzema has so far failed to make a goalscoring contribution at Euro 2012, and his only input thus far has been assisting both goals for France in the 2-0 victory over Ukraine in Group D.

Coupet, who retired after being released by Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, played with Benzema from 2005 to 2009 at Lyon, securing four consecutive Ligue 1 titles together.

The 39-year-old was France’s number one goalkeeper at Euro 2008, a tournament in which France finished bottom of a group containing Netherlands, Italy and Romania.

Nevertheless, the goalkeeper had some encouraging words of advice for his former team-mate ahead of France’s quarter-final against Spain.

“He needs to focus and concentrate to score. Karim is a scorer. He just had a great season with Real Madrid, where he scored a lot of goals,” Coupet told RMC Sport.

“Three games without scoring, it must be hell for him. All this frustration should come out and it will take a lot of heart to perform.”