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."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 18:00 | AS Nancy vs St Etienne |
| 18:00 | Le Mans vs Auxerre |
| 18:00 | Lorient vs Boulogne |
| 18:00 | Monaco vs Grenoble |
| 18:00 | PSG vs Nice |
| 18:00 | Valenciennes vs Montpellier |
| 20:00 | Sochaux vs Lens |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 16:00 | Lille vs Bordeaux |
| 16:00 | Toulouse vs Rennes |
| 20:00 | Lyon vs Marseille |
| Friday 20th November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 20:00 | Marseille vs PSG |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| 18:00 | Bordeaux vs Valenciennes |
| 18:00 | Grenoble vs Lyon |
| 18:00 | Lens vs AS Nancy |
| 18:00 | Rennes vs Le Mans |
| 20:00 | Auxerre vs Monaco |
| 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 |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 1st November | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Sochaux 1 - 4 PSG | |
| Rennes 0 - 3 Valenciennes | |
| Nice 1 - 0 Le Mans | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| St Etienne 0 - 1 Lyon | |
| Marseille 1 - 1 Toulouse | |
| Lens 1 - 1 Lorient | |
| Grenoble 0 - 2 Lille | |
| Boulogne 1 - 2 AS Nancy | |
| Bordeaux 1 - 0 Monaco | |
| Auxerre 2 - 1 Montpellier | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Lens 0 - 2 Toulouse | |
| Auxerre 3 - 2 Lille | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Rennes 3 - 0 Montpellier | |
| Sochaux 1 - 0 Lorient | |
| St Etienne 0 - 2 Valenciennes | |
| Nice 4 - 1 Lyon | |
| Grenoble 1 - 2 AS Nancy | |
| Boulogne 1 - 3 Monaco | |
| Bordeaux 3 - 0 Le Mans | |
| Sunday 18th October | |
| French Ligue 1 | |
| Toulouse 1 - 0 PSG | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux | 11 | 25 |
| 2 | Lyon | 11 | 23 |
| 3 | Monaco | 11 | 21 |
| 4 | Montpellier | 11 | 20 |
| 5 | Auxerre | 11 | 20 |
| 6 | Valenciennes | 11 | 19 |
| 7 | Marseille | 10 | 18 |
| 8 | Lorient | 11 | 18 |
| 9 | Nancy | 11 | 17 |
| 10 | Paris St Germain | 10 | 16 |
| 11 | Rennes | 11 | 16 |
| 12 | Toulouse | 11 | 15 |
| 13 | Sochaux | 11 | 15 |
| 14 | Nice | 11 | 14 |
| 15 | Lille | 11 | 13 |
| 16 | St Etienne | 11 | 10 |
| 17 | Boulogne | 11 | 9 |
| 18 | RC Lens | 11 | 9 |
| 19 | Le Mans | 11 | 8 |
| 20 | Grenoble | 11 | 0 |
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Emmanuel Eboue has announced his ambition to turn out for Paris St Germain at some stage of his career.
Bordeaux extended their lead at the top to four points after a 1-0 victory over title-rivals Monaco.