Blanc ready for test of mettle

Laurent Blanc expects Wednesday’s international friendly against Germany to be a test of France’s progress under his guidance.

Blanc took over from Raymond Domenech as France coach in July 2010, charged with reviving the national team’s fortunes following their group-stage exit from the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He led them to first place in Group D of qualifying for this year’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, but some of the French public and media are yet to be convinced about the team’s recovery.

“It’s up to you to tell me where we are,” Blanc said when facing the press ahead of this week’s friendly in Bremen.

“According to you (the media), we haven’t gone far. So the European Championship will be a test.”

“This match will allow us to judge ourselves against one of the two best teams in the world in my opinion.”

“Spain, for me, is the other of the two best teams in the world. I think that we are not up to the level of this German team, but we are going to go to Germany with ambition and strength.”

“What do we have to risk? Everyone would see us take a beating but we’re going to go knowing that people think this, I hope it will give us extra motivation.”

According to Blanc, the limited time he has to spend with his players prior to an international fixture hinders their chances of performing to a high standard.

“It’s hard to progress, in our case we’ll have to work hard, and sadly we don’t have time to prepare,” he said.

“So I know some here will say I’m not a hard worker, but I’d like to work with my players, I can guarantee that.”

“The problem is, the international calendar is done is such a way that doesn’t allow us to prepare, even for this match.”

“Playing the Germans deserves preparation, proper preparation, but we won’t have it.”