Karim Benzema’s return speeds up France’s attack and has taken some pressure off the defense.

The French team will be going for a fourth consecutive clean sheet with Benzema playing when it faces Hungary in Budapest on Saturday at the European Championship. A win will put France into the next round after it opened with a 1-0 victory over Germany. Hungary lost to Portugal 3-0.Les Bleus look sharper with Benzema, w

ho has slotted in effortlessly since returning to the national team after nearly six years out following a fallout with coach Didier Deschamps amid a sex tape scandal.

He has replaced Olivier Giroud, who plays more with his back to goal. Benzema’s technique and reading of the game help him click with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. The trio are working for and with each other, forming a marauding front unit that stops opposing teams from passing out quickly from the back.

Their efforts take strain off the midfield and, ultimately, the defense.

“When you see Kylian losing the ball and winning it back five seconds later, Karim working hard and Antoine dropping very deep, it gives us strength,” France defender Raphael Varane said. “Then, we encourage them from the back, or give them good passes to attack with.”

Varane, a Real Madrid player who occupies central defense alongside Presnel Kimpembe, said the work rate of the forwards was vital in nullifying Germany’s much-vaunted attack.

“Our three forwards defended enormously,” Varane said. “They ran a lot to reduce the space between the lines.”