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PARIS: France coach Laurent Blanc on Thursday declared his delight at midfielder Samir Nasri's attitude ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Albania, a month after publicly criticising the Manchester City man.
“I like to focus on the present and the future, but we must also analyse what we have done in the past and learn to become better as a result,” said Blanc.
“Samir has come on a lot recently but I have never had any problem with him.
“I am really impressed by the attitude he has shown recently compared to what we have seen from him before.
“He has shown intelligence by becoming more aware of certain things and now I hope that can be translated into performances on the pitch.”
Blanc has continually insisted in the recent past that he “expects more”from the former Arsenal man after a number of disappointing displays for his country.
That drew a response from the player, who told France Football magazine that he would prefer Blanc to air any criticisms to his face rather than in the media.
However Nasri - who was a substitute in France's last game, the 0-0 draw in Romania in September -- said on Wednesday that there had been a “misunderstanding” and that the media were to blame for “killing” him.
“There are a lot of things I would rather forget with regard to my recent performances,” he explained.
“I have come in for criticism but I also have responsibilities and I have not acted in the right way.
“When the atmosphere in the camp becomes so oppressive, you feel like waging war against everyone and you maybe lose your way a bit as a result.”
