Santini plots French success

France coach Jacques Santini will be looking for a morale-boosting victory as the European champions continue their UEFA EURO 2004™ preparations with a friendly against Brazil at the Stade de France tonight.

French strength
Santini has named a near full-strength squad for the repeat of the 1998 FIFA World Cup final, an international friendly between the European and world champions arranged to celebrate FIFA's centenary. Sixteen of Santini's EURO 2004™ squad, which was revealed on Tuesday, will play a part, while six not travelling to Portugal will be handed a chance to impress.

Consolation chance
Olivier Kapo, Philippe Mexes, Sidney Govou and Péguy Luyindula will feature against the Brazilians despite missing out on a place in the finals. In defence, Sylvain Armand of FC Nantes Atlantique and Paris Saint-Germain FC's Bernard Mendy will also win their first caps. "We know Armand, and Santini has given him a huge present," France captain Marcel Desailly said.

Wiltord chance
Another big winner on the evening is striker Sylvain Wiltord, released by Arsenal FC, who will be given a rare start "because he needs to play," said Santini. The coach added: "There will be many changes during the match as I need everyone to feel involved, even those who will not be going to Portugal. Their commitment has pleased me, they have behaved like professionals."

Stars left out
Santini has elected to rest FC Bayern München pair Bixente Lizarazu and Willy Sagnol, while Manchester United FC defender Mikaël Silvestre sits out ahead of this weekend's FA Cup final. Fabien Barthez and Steve Marlet, from Olympique de Marseille, plus AS Monaco FC's Ludovic Giuly and Jérôme Rothen, miss out due to their teams' participation in the respective European finals.

Revenge motivation
Brazil may not have the motivation of France as Les Bleus look forward to kicking off the defence of their UEFA EURO 2000™ crown, but the world champions will hope to go some way towards avenging a certain defeat in Saint-Denis six years ago. "They will see this match as a chance for revenge," said France captain Desailly.

'Prestigious match'
But Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who will be without CR Flamengo's Felipe, Marcos of SE Palmeiras, Alex of Cruzeiro EC and São Paulo FC's Luis Fabiano said revenge will have to wait for another day. "This is a presitigious match, but it is not a chance for revenge because it is not a World Cup final or part of an official competition," he said.