PARIS (AP): For France coach Laurent Blanc, facing Brazil in Wednesday's friendly represents "the ultimate test" to gauge how far his team has improved since he took over following the World Cup.
France has steadily improved since Blanc replaced Raymond Domenech after France was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup without winning a game.
France leads its 2012 European Championship qualifying group after three straight wins, and the 2-1 victory at England in November showed signs that confidence, skill and flair are slowly returning.
Blanc expects a far harder challenge against the five-time World Cup winners.
"We're playing against one of the two best teams in the world. But we'll try and play to our strengths," Blanc said. "This is the ultimate test. Against Brazil you have to try and match them."
Blanc's bold prediction of matching Brazil is an encouraging show of faith in his players. He has ambitions to put France back among the top teams and knows that will not happen if France reverts back to Domenech's cautious methods.
"(Brazil) practically have the best players in Europe, if not the world," Blanc said. "(But) when you pack midfield it doesn't mean you'll get more of the ball. We're not going to start playing defensively just because it's Brazil."
Although the match is a week before the Champions League resumes, Blanc is confident his players won't hold back.
"We have the privilege and the honor of playing Brazil. It doesn't happen often in a career," Blanc said. "I think the players want to measure themselves against Brazil."
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, whose wife is Brazilian, is desperate to play.
"Brazil is a big football nation, you only have to look at the number of stars on the shirt," Malouda told sports daily L'Equipe. "We would like to be like them. They are a reference in world football."
France is unbeaten in five games against Brazil since a 2-0 home defeat in 1992 - a match Blanc played in and during which he said the French "never even saw the ball."
But the French beat the Brazilians in the 1998 World Cup final and the '86 and 2006 World Cup quarterfinals.
"We're one of the nations that bothers them the most," Blanc said. "The Brazilians are hard to analyze. It wouldn't surprise me if (Brazil coach Mano Menezes) is preparing for the 2014 World Cup with young players."
Menezes's squad includes 20-year-old Manchester United right back Rafael, Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto (21), Tottenham midfielder Sandro (21), United midfielder Anderson (22), AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato (21) and Bordeaux forward Andre (20).
The squad consists entirely of European-based players, because Menezes said local players needed training time for upcoming state tournaments in Brazil. Neymar, the prolific 19-year-old Santos striker, was recently involved in the South America qualifying tournament for the Under-20 World Cup.
Brazil has struggled to live up to its own hype in the last two World Cups and will not be forgiven if it fails in front of its home fans in 2014. France also sees youth as the best road to redemption.
Blanc is banking on the likes of 20-year-old Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, Real Madrid Karim Benzema (23), Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (24), Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (24) and Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby (24).
"We're right in the middle of a rebuilding period, but some things are advancing," Blanc said. "I hope we can be in the top 10 European or world teams in the not to distant future."
Although Gourcuff has had a slump in form, Blanc rebutted suggestions that he has only been selected because he played so well for Blanc when Bordeaux won the French title three seasons ago.
"I don't have teacher's pets," Blanc said. "I like all the players the same."
He did admit, however, that Gourcuff is struggling.
"I think it's only a mental problem, because he hasn't lost his physical and technical qualities," Blanc said. "But it's also up to him to get his confidence back. The player has to make a personal effort, ask questions of himself."
Benzema will continue to lead France's attack, despite his inconsistent form for Real Madrid.
