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Q & A: France coach Roger Lemerre
Posted: Tuesday April 23, 2002 4:17 PM
What
do you think of the draw?
The opening match is always difficult to negotiate, and it makes
no difference whether it's against a champion or a beginner. Senegal
have a good team, and as their coach, Bruno Metsu, is French, we
will not be a secret to him. Uruguay and Denmark demand respect
as well.
Who
are your key players?
I prefer to regard the team as a unit, with the players who made
us world and European champions continuing to strive for excellence
and keeping their great competitive mentality, while the younger
players try to emulate the achievements of their elders.
Who
will win the World Cup?
Important nations like Brazil, Argentina, Italy and England should
be in contention, as we will. Our players still have the same burning
desire to be at the top and we are determined to defend our title.
I'm reassured that we still have the spirit and the willingness
to put in the extra effort required, and the modesty.
Who
will be the surprises?
Hard to say. In my opinion, no team that has got this far can be
underestimated. Perhaps the hosts, South Korea and Japan, will surprise.
Home advantage can lift them to another level.
Will
the conditions affect you?
As professionals we have a duty to adapt. We are prepared. We played
in South Korea in the Confederations Cup last year and won.
Do
you think the fact that you have played only friendlies for two
years is a disadvantage?
Of course, on a psychological level the pressure in friendlies is
not the same as for competitive matches. But it's not true to say
that friendlies are without importance. Opponents always want to
defeat the world champions, and so that makes for good tests.
Is
Lilian Thuram better at right-back or in central defense?
The needs of the team mean he plays at center-back for his club,
Juventus, and right-back for France. He's very effective at full-back,
the best in the world in that position.
You
gave central defender Philippe Christanval his debut against Romania
recently. What's your opinion of him?
He's done well in all the young French sides and was with us before
Euro 2000 before being injured. The fact he's a first-choice for
Barcelona is no irrelevance.
Nicolas
Anelka and Youri Djorkaeff have had their problems at club level
this season. What are their chances of making your squad?
Nicolas has just moved to a new club, Liverpool, and obviously he
knows English football well. He has to play regularly, but he's
on the right road. Youri has to bounce back at Bolton after his
difficult time with Kaiserslautern. I know he has a great ambition
to be present in South Korea and Japan.
What's
it like to be the coach of the number one national team in the world?
I benefit from every day I spend with the French squad. It's real
happiness.
From World Soccer magazine.
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