Deschamps names attack-minded squad for Germany

PARIS (AFP) –

France's national football team head coach Didier Deschamps gives a press conference on January 31, 2013 in Paris

France’s national football team head coach Didier Deschamps gives a press conference on January 31, 2013 to announce the squad for the friendly football match against Germany next February 6, at the French Football Federation (FFF) headquarters in Paris.

France coach Didier Deschamps called up Rennes striker Romain Alessandrini for the first time as well as recalling defenders Raphael Varane of Real Madrid and Arsenal‘s Bacary Sagna in his squad for the prestige friendly here against Germany next Wednesday.

Karim Benzema is also back in the group after the Real Madrid striker recovered from injury and missed the 2-1 victory over Italy last November while Abou Diaby is ruled out as he continues his comeback from injury that sidelined the Arsenal central midfielder for three months.

Arsenal’s in-form Olivier Giroud and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery lead a strong attacking contingent that also includes Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis and Jeremy Menez of Paris Saint-Germain.

Hugo Lloris who has been in brilliant form for Tottenham after prying away the starting job from American Brad Friedel is expected to captain the side as France renew their long running rivalry with Joachim Loew’s Euro 2012 semi-finalists.

France have not lost to Germany since 1987 and have won five of the last six meetings.

The 1998 World Cup winners have an overall record of 11 wins against seven defeats with six draws dating back to 1931 although the former West Germany memorably defeated France in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup semi-finals.

Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City/ENG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle/ENG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ENG), Adil Rami (Valencia/ESP), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Mamadou Sakho (Paris St Germain), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid/ESP)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle/ENG), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St-Germain), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle/ENG), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards: Romain Alessandrini (Rennes), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Bafétimbi Gomis (Lyon), Jérémy Ménez (Paris St-Germain), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich/GER)