France World Cup Preview

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THIERRY HENRY What are your earliest memories of the World Cup? The 1986 French team that reached the semi-finals, having beaten Brazil and Italy along the way. We had a great team, with the likes of Platini and Tigana. Who should we look out for? I would have said Robert Pires because he has been in fantastic form for Arsenal, and we are all hurting for him. The tournament would have been made for him. Yet from those in the French squad, it's hard to single out individuals. What stage do people back home expect you to reach? We are expected to deliver once again, and though we are confident, it will not be easy. There are many strong teams, and let's not forget that we haven't had the advantage of playing qualifying games. If you don't win the World Cup, who will? Those teams with the best players in terms of ability and temperament -- so you look at the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Italy. I wouldn't discount England because they have some very good young players and a wily old keeper who has seen it all before! Is there too much money in football? There is a lot but it should not just go into the hands of the biggest clubs or the best players. I would like it spread evenly, down to grassroots.

How they line up

More often than not, France use a 4-2-3-1 system. In front of Fabien Barthez stands a highly experienced, conventional back four made up of Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu at right- and left-back respectively, with Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf in the center.

Desailly picks up the most physically imposing of the opposition strikers, while Leboeuf is more of a coverer and tidier. Both fullbacks, but especially Lizarazu, will push forward where possible.

The ball-winning ability and tactical acumen of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit make them the ideal defensive midfield duo, but their drive and intelligent passing mean they also contribute much offensively.

David Trezeguet, the archetypal goalpoacher, is at the point of the attack, with a trio of forwards/playmakers on his shoulder. This triumvirate usually comprises Zinedine Zidane through the middle, and Sylvain Wiltord -- who should replace Pires -- and Thierry Henry on the right and left. But these are only nominal positions. In a fluid system, Zidane and Henry benefit from having considerable freedom to roam.

Defensive options are provided by Ulrich Rame in goal; Vincent Candela -- who can play right- or left-back or on the left side of midfield -- right-back Willy Sagnol, Mickael Silvestre (left-back or center-back) and Philippe Christanval in central defense; Claude Makelele and Alain Boghossian serve as the deputies of Vieira and Petit; while Eric Carriere and Youri Djorkaeff could come off the bench to take over on the right or central midfield.

Provided he can shake off the knee and thigh injuries that have plagued him this season, Christophe Dugarry could see playing time in any attacking midfield role or up front. Promising youngster Djibril Cisse may also come into the striking equation, as could Steve Marlet, who is equally dangerous through the middle or wide on the right.

Lemerre could also go to 4-4-2, a formula with two options. In the first, three defensive midfielders (Vieira, Petit and Makelele) shield Zidane; the second has Vieira and Petit behind two playmakers (Zidane plus Carriere, Djorkaeff or Dugarry).

 

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