FRANCE 98 – France – A. Jacquet: “Vieira, Candela, Karembeu and Leboeuf should play on Wednesday”

“We worked on both technique and teamwork this morning at practise. On Wednesday [24 June] against DENMARK (Group C, match no. 38), we will continue to play as we have since the competition started. It’s very important for us to finish the first round on a high note, and so we must win. We must not fall into complacent self-satisfaction, and we’ll prepare the match right down to the last detail. Some of the players in this match will be rested, both psychologically and physically. The reserve players who haven’t yet had a chance to play should be able to on Wednesday. They include Patrick VIEIRA (4), Vincent CANDELA (2), Christian KAREMBEU (19) and Franck LEBOEUF (18). I’m also counting on giving some players, like Robert PIRES (11) and Bernard DIOMEDE (13) more significant roles. There’s a good group rapport, although it’s sometimes difficult to simultaneously manage 22 players under pressure. I must always keep my ears open, but I’m lucky enough to be dealing with players who are top-notch professionals.”