Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has admitted that he has not shown his true colours for France.
Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc said earlier in the week that Ribery has not been able to perform to the best of his abilities for his country since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Ribery was suspended from international duty for three matches after the tournament, and came under heavy criticism for his part in the rebellious squad.
"Blanc is right, I am struggling," he told reporters. "Every time that I come to France, it is very hard for me.
"I am trying to give 100 per cent, but little by little I will rediscover my pleasure with the French team."
Ribery then said that he was very pleased with the 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
"It was a good match for everyone, even for the fans," Ribery said. "We know that Madrid are a great side.
"It is a shame that we conceded that goal in the second half, but then we pushed to score our second.
"They will want to attack in Madrid, so we must take advantage of the counterattacking situations that we will have."
The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for April 25.
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |