Lens, June 1 :

France has found a new star, while another is fading.

France produced its most complete performance since Raymond Domenech took charge nearly two years ago in beating Denmark 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday. The problem for Domenech is his team won despite another unimpressive display by Zinedine Zidane, while newcomer Franck Ribery continued his push for a place in the team with a brilliant cameo.

“I don’t have any incertitude,” Domenech said. “I know the quality of my players.” However, following a poor performance against Mexico on Saturday, Zidane improved only slightly against Denmark. He was still off the pace and looked heavy-legged, 13 days ahead of France’s opener against Switzerland.

Ribery replaced Zidane in the 66th minute, and showed the desire and touches of brilliance which were once Zidane’s hallmark. “He brings his quality to the group,” Domenech said of Ribery. “He showed some spark, which is what I expect from him. I hope he will get the chance to show it until July 9.”

Domenech is unlikely to drop Zidane — he begged him to come out of international retirement for the last four World Cup qualifiers — but he may have to find room for Ribery.

Teasing defenders, Ribery skipped past tackles with ease as he drifted from side to side, pushed forward to support Thierry Henry, and back to collect the ball. Although Henry and Ribery played only 13 minutes together — Henry was replaced by Djibril Cisse in the 79th — the pair showed instinctive understanding and fed off each other easily. Ribery’s trickery committed a defender into a clumsy tackle, and France sealed the win with a penalty from Sylvain Wiltord — his 26th strike for Les Bleus. Moreover, Ribery has an astute tactical sense, combines the elaborate with the simple, and rarely gives the ball away — a bad habit Zidane has recently picked up.

Zidane, apart from one free kick which presented a headed chance for William Gallas, had a quiet game and his range of passing was still erratic. Asked if Ribery could take Zidane’s place in the starting lineup, Domenech retorted bluntly. “That’s your problem, not mine,” he told reporters. But Ribery brings a dynamism to the team so lacking in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Henry, scorer of France’s first goal against Denmark and his 32nd overall, talked up Ribery recently at Clairefontaine, saying he could be France’s “trump card” in Germany.

Denmark’s Jon Dahl Tomasson added that “Ribery came off the bench and looked dangerous.” With only two caps to his name, Ribery already feels at home. “I have felt good ever since I arrived in this team,” Ribery said. “I listen to the older players, because I am the new guy. There are great players around me. I am delighted just to be with them every day.” Domenech’s team for Switzerland is taking shape.

Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez looks assured, and the defensive quartet is solid — despite the erratic form of 113-game veteran Lilian Thuram, who almost set up a goal for Tomasson with a poor pass in the ninth minute.

Fullbacks Eric Abidal and Willy Sagnol blend solidity with technical poise, and centre-half William Gallas provides Thuram with much needed cover. In midfield, Chelsea’s Claude Makelele and Lyon’s Florent Malouda appear in much better form than Patrick Vieira of Juventus. Vieira looks jaded and his rusty passes often place teammates in difficult situations.

In attack, Henry’s long-standing partnership with David Trezeguet still looks like Domenech’s preferred choice, although Louis Saha offered movement and pace — traits uncommon to Trezeguet, who is the better finisher.