Lizarazu leaves French feeling blue
Thursday, August 29, 2002
Article summary
France and Denmark are missing key players for their EURO 2004™ qualifiers next week.
Article body
France and Denmark are missing key players for their EURO 2004™ qualifiers next week.
Key defender
Bixente Lizarazu is out of France's qualifier against Cyprus. The 32-year-old FC Bayern München left-back has admitted he has not regained full fitness after suffering a muscle strain in a pre-season friendly.
Lacking fitness
Lizarazu only returned for Bayern in Tuesday's 3-1 win over FK Partizan as they clinched their UEFA Champions League qualifying tie 6-1 on aggregate. But he fears his lack of match sharpness could prove costly. "I am only at 40 per cent of my best physical condition," he added. "Considering the difficulties that Les Bleus are experiencing at the moment, the team needs players who are fully fit."
Danish doubt
Denmark captain René Henriksen is doubtful for the qualifier against Norway in Oslo. Coach Morten Olsen has named FC København's Martin Albrechtsen as back-up for the Panathinaikos FC defender. Brøndby IF forward Ruben Bagger was injured in his side's 3-2 home defeat to Rosenborg BK in their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday and will definitely not be fit for what could have been his first international appearance. Olsen has not yet decided on a replacement.
