By Patrick Haond Last updated: 10th October 2008
Benzema: Believes
Karim Benzema is confident he will soon translate his impressive form for Lyon onto the international stage for France.
Benzema is regarded as one of Europe's brightest talents after consistently impressive displays for his club.
He topped the Ligue 1 scoring charts last season and was linked with a big-money transfer away from Stade Gerland.
The 20-year-old has, however, come in for criticism from sections of the French media for his performances for his country.
But Benzema is sure he will one day be remembered as one of France's greats, as he prepares for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Romania.
"If I am a substitute against Romania there will not be a problem. I am at France's disposal," he told L'Equipe.
"Against Serbia (last month) the coach [Raymond Domenech] believed it right to take me off at half-time.
"But it was just one half. This is does not merit controversy and claims I struggle at that level.
"It is logical people expect a lot from me. With Lyon I have performed well in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League.
"In the French team this has not been the same, but I believe it will come. I am just 20-years-old.
"One day it will go my way and people will say the contrary to what they say nowadays."

Beckham - Henry isn't a cheat
The Sky Bet Show - Sunday
Galaxy gold for Becks
Hull 3-3 West Ham - Zola
Hull 3-3 West Ham - Brown
Hull v West Ham - 2nd Half
Chelsea v Wolves - 1st half
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Laws
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 16:00 | Nice vs Toulouse |
| 16:00 | St Etienne vs Lorient |
| 20:00 | Montpellier vs Lille |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 18:00 | Lille vs Valenciennes |
| 18:00 | Lorient vs Grenoble |
| 18:00 | Monaco vs Montpellier |
| 18:00 | PSG vs Auxerre |
| 18:00 | Sochaux vs Nice |
| 18:00 | Toulouse vs Boulogne |
| 20:00 | Lens vs Marseille |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 16:00 | AS Nancy vs Bordeaux |
| 16:00 | Le Mans vs St Etienne |
| 20:00 | Lyon vs Rennes |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 18:00 | Boulogne vs PSG |
| 18:00 | Marseille vs Sochaux |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 18:00 | Montpellier vs Le Mans |
| 18:00 | Nice vs Marseille |
| 18:00 | Rennes vs Lorient |
| 18:00 | St Etienne vs Sochaux |
| 18:00 | Valenciennes vs Monaco |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Bordeaux 0 - 1 Valenciennes | |
| Grenoble 1 - 1 Lyon | |
| Lens 2 - 1 AS Nancy | |
| Rennes 2 - 1 Le Mans | |
| Auxerre 2 - 0 Monaco | |
| Friday 20th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Marseille 1 - 0 PSG | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Lille 2 - 0 Bordeaux | |
| Toulouse 3 - 2 Rennes | |
| Lyon 5 - 5 Marseille | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Le Mans 0 - 1 Auxerre | |
| Lorient 5 - 0 Boulogne | |
| Monaco 0 - 0 Grenoble | |
| Valenciennes 1 - 1 Montpellier | |
| PSG 0 - 1 Nice | |
| AS Nancy 0 - 1 St Etienne | |
| Sochaux 1 - 2 Lens | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Nice 1 - 0 Le Mans | |
| Rennes 0 - 3 Valenciennes | |
| Sochaux 1 - 4 PSG | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Auxerre 2 - 1 Montpellier | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auxerre | 13 | 26 |
| 2 | Bordeaux | 13 | 25 |
| 3 | Lyon | 13 | 25 |
| 4 | Valenciennes | 13 | 23 |
| 5 | Marseille | 12 | 22 |
| 6 | Monaco | 13 | 22 |
| 7 | Lorient | 12 | 21 |
| 8 | Montpellier | 12 | 21 |
| 9 | Rennes | 13 | 19 |
| 10 | Toulouse | 12 | 18 |
| 11 | Nancy | 13 | 17 |
| 12 | Nice | 12 | 17 |
| 13 | Paris St Germain | 12 | 16 |
| 14 | Lille | 12 | 16 |
| 15 | Sochaux | 12 | 15 |
| 16 | RC Lens | 13 | 15 |
| 17 | St Etienne | 12 | 13 |
| 18 | Boulogne | 12 | 9 |
| 19 | Le Mans | 13 | 8 |
| 20 | Grenoble | 13 | 2 |
Barca and Real both won, Gers closed the gap on Celtic while Lyon and Marseille drew 5-5.
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Barca were stunned by a late leveller, Gers' match was abandoned while Inter march on in Serie A.
Newcastle have signed Fabrice Pancrate after he impressed on trial at St James' Park.
The Ligue 1 title race was thrown wider open as Bordeaux and Lyon both dropped points.
Lyon defender Jean-Alain Boumsong is nearing a comeback after almost three months on the sidelines.
Gabriel Heinze scored against his former club PSG to give Marseille a 1-0 win at the Stade Velodrome.
Bayern Munich director of sport Christian Nerlinger claims the club have no plans to move for Moussa Sissoko.