Saha primed to break up Henry/Trezeguet pairing

Louis Saha is likely to break up the most famous strike partnership in international soccer tomorrow by replacing David Trezeguet in France's team for the Euro 2004 quarter-final against Greece.

The champions have lacked a cutting edge and Saha, who earned his fourth cap during the unconvincing 3-1 victory over Switzerland, is expected to start against the Greeks.

Saha came on for Trezeguet in the 75th minute against the Swiss and set up a goal for Thierry Henry with his first touch. Henry added a second in the 84th minute as France finished top of Group B.

"I am lucky. The coach put me on when the result of the match was still in doubt," Saha said. "I told myself to make something happen."

Trezeguet has been all but anonymous during the three group games while Saha offered a tougher physical challenge to the Swiss defenders.

His speed and frequent changes of position helped create room for Henry who has struggled to repeat in Portugal his superb form for Arsenal last season.

"I've spent some time on the bench and I've watched carefully how Henry and Trezeguet play. I've tried to emulate them," Saha said.

"Actually I realised that I'm a sort of compromise between the two of them. I like to carry the ball and to do long runs like Thierry but I feel comfortable too when playing with my back to the goal.

"The two situations suit me."

Henry and Trezeguet have been used in tandem since Jacques Santini took over as coach after the 2002 World Cup debacle, when the then-champions were knocked out in the first round.

Santini's predecessor Roger Lemerre opted against using the two together, often bringing on one to replace the other during a game. Henry is often the provider for Trezeguet, who has scored 29 goals in 54 games including the winner against Italy in the Euro 2000 final.

Saha moved to Manchester United from Fulham last season and was on the periphery of the France squad.

However, he was the obvious replacement when AJ Auxerre's Djibril Cisse was given a five-match ban by UEFA for kicking an opponent in an under-21 match and ruled out of Euro 2004.

Saha marked his international debut with a goal in the 2-0 defeat of Belgium in February and found the net again against Andorra in his second outing.

During a training session on Tuesday, Santini chatted a long time with the player.

Always reluctant to give clues about his plans, Santini said: "We still need to improve our efficiency in front of goal. This is one of the few things which hasn't worked so far. But I'm confident. We have some options."