FRANCE 98 – France-Denmark – A. Jacquet: “Our goal is to come out in front”

Comments from Saint-Jean-d’Ardières

” We have started the competition well, with two matches which confirmed the quality of our preparation, of our play and our skills, especially against SOUTH AFRICA (Group C) in MARSEILLE. The only negative points are Zinedine ZIDANE’s (10) suspension and Christophe DUGARRY’s (21) injury. For this third match against DENMARK (Group C), the situation will therefore be more complex, since we will have to deal with these absences, and take into account the fact that certain players were booked in the two previous matches.

The starting line-up will be announced to the press after our official training session at Gerland stadium. Due to the absence of Zinedine ZIDANE (10), some very skilled players, especially Youri DJORKAEFF (6) and Robert PIRES (11), will have to lead the game. This organisation will be more collective, for you can’t replace Zinedine ZIDANE (10), but this could turn into an advantage for us.

The team that will be on the pitch tomorrow is aware that a defeat against the Danish would mean losing first place in our group. Our goal is to come out in front and that’s why I emphasised the need for concentration and determination among the players. A victory over DENMARK will improve our popularity and reinforce the current positive atmosphere.

As for Stéphane GUIVARC’H (9), who trained again yesterday (22 June), he seems to have recovered and he is fit to be on the starting line-up tomorrow.”