FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°38

France meet Denmark here on Wednesday in a clash that should decide who finishes top of Group C, and it will provide the hosts with their first test without suspended playmaker Zinedine Zidane, described by coach Aime Jacquet as irreplaceable.

The match will mark a milestone for Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel, who is set to become his country’s most capped player by beating Morten Olsen’s 102 caps.

As well as Zidane, France, who only have to draw to finish top, will also be without the injured Christophe Dugarry. Denmark, who could still lose out for second spot if they lose and South Africa beat Saudi Arabia by a two-goal margin, will be missing Morten Wieghorst and Miklos Molnar, who are suspended after being sent off against South Africa last Thursday. France coach Aime Jacquet, who didn’t excuse Zidane’s foul on Saudi Arabian captain Fuad Amin but felt that the two match ban was ‘harsh’, is not known for making mass changes to a winning side but his hand may be forced by the threat of yellow cards hanging over several players.

” I have to watch out over the yellow cards issue, “ said Jacquet. ” But I want to put my best team out really and we’ll be playing for a win in Lyon.” Nevertheless 57-year-old Jacquet, who retires after the World Cup, may still choose not to play experienced libero Laurent Blanc, captain Didier Deschamps, right wingback Bixente Lizarazu, who scored in the 4-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia, and Arsenal hardman midfielder Emmanuel Petit. Jacquet, who was capped twice by France, has capable replacements for that quartet in Petit’s Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira, Franck Leboeuf can slot in to central defence, Christian Karembeu can fill Deschamp’s spot and Vincent Candela Lizarazu’s.

Jacquet has said that the French will play a different game without Zidane, with Inter Milan midfielder Youri Djorkaeff or Marseille bound Robert Pires acting as the creative force, and the latter is bursting to get into the action. ” If I play I want to be judged on my qualities, “ said Pires, who has scored twice in his 15 appearances for France to date. In attack, Jacquet said he wanted to rest David Trezeguet, on target against the Saudis, and might bring back Stephane Guivarc’h after his recovery from a knee injury sustained in the opening win over South Africa. But Arsenal target Thierry Henry, on a high with three goals already, now appears a fixture in the side.

The Danes, who dryly commented that they were going to hold a party for Jan Heintze as he was the only substitute not to be sent off in their match against South Africa, look likely to bring in Derby County central defender Jacob Laursen in place of Soren Colding.

Heintze is set to keep his place on the left side of midfield with Michael Schjonberg moving into the centre of midfield, but it is to the Laudrup brothers that Denmark will be looking to to turn on the necessary flair to ensure they get the three points.

The Laudrups-Brian and his older brother Michael, looked superb in the first-half of the South African encounter but once the ‘Bafana Bafana’ clamped down on Michael, the last survivor from the exciting team that got to the second round in 1986, the Danes looked an ordinary side.

France without Zidane still look a good side and their class should see them top the group. The Danes will want to ensure they get the point that will see them play Nigeria in the second round.