Henry out to crack Platini’s record in crucial clash

PARIS: Thierry Henry will be out to break Michel Platini’s scoring record when France entertain Lithuania in Nantes in yet another make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier tomorrow.

Barcelona striker Henry netted his 41st goal with Les Bleus in a 6-0 thrashing of the Faroe Islands at the weekend, equalling the now UEFA president’s record.

“Beating Michel Platini would be something extraordinary,” said Henry, who had to wait for his 95th cap to score his 41st international goal, compared to the French playmaker, who netted it in the 68th of his 72 games with Les Bleus.

“However, it will not be important if the goal is useless.

“We have to beat Lithuania and look at the result of Scotland vs Italy.

Eyes on record: Striker Thierry Henry will be out to break Michel Platini’s mark of 41 international goals when France take on Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier tomorrow.

“One of the two teams will drop points and it will then be up to us to go and grab something in Ukraine.”

France are third in the Group B standings, two points adrift of leaders Scotland and one behind world champions Italy with two matches remaining.

If they fail to beat both Lithuania and Ukraine in Kiev next month, the World Cup finalists will have to hope for Scotland or Italy to slip up.

“The Lithuania game is the second stage of a three-stage race, coach Raymond Domenech told the French federation’s Web site (www.fff.fr) on Monday.

“It’s a work in progress. We know that we have to win the last two matches so we don’t have to bother with the others’ results.”

Domenech is expected to reshuffle the team who demolished the Faroe Islands, injecting experience and fresh blood after Les Bleus needed more than 24 hours to arrive in Torshavn because of bad weather.

Arsenal centre back William Gallas, who has not played since picking up a groin injury in August, should be fielded alongside Lilian Thuram with Barcelona’s Eric Abidal sliding back to the left flank.

Bakary Sagna should make room in the right back position for Lassana Diarra, who produced a man-of-the-match performance in Italy. Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda is set to return in the midfield at the expense of PSG’s Jerome Rothen, who scored France’s fourth in Torshavn with a fine free kick.

However, Domenech will have to make do without Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka, who has pulled out with a thigh injury and has been replaced by Monaco’s Frederic Piquionne.

Sevilla defender Julien Escude also had to pull out of the game through injury.

Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who has scored three goals from five appearances with France, is widely expected to pair up with Henry up front.

Possible France team: Mickael Landreau; Lassana Diarra, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal; Claude Makelele, Jeremy Toulalan, Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery; Karim Benzema, Thierry Henry. – Reuters