Struggling French side defeated by Albania

ELBASAN, Albania — France lost 1-0 away to Albania in a listless performance on Saturday for a third defeat in the past four matches.

With one year to go until the European Championship, coach Didier Deschamps’ team is struggling for form having lost 4-3 at home to Belgium last weekend.

Albania deservedly took the lead in the 44th minute of the friendly, when midfielder Ergys Kace curled a superb free kick from outside the penalty area into the top left corner.

Albania’s Ermir Lenjani missed a chance from close range in the 26th and moments later forced goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a smart save low to his right.

France winger Mathieu Valbuena almost equalized in the 76th with a near-identical free kick which was well saved by goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.

from Sportsnet.ca http://bit.ly/1FfhsRW