FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes

Match Number 57 ITA – FRA Quotes

Luciano Nizzola, President of the Italian Football Federation:

“So, we lost, that’s how it is. Our players were outstanding. They were focused and I have no criticism to make. I can’t fault them. They can go home to Italy with their heads held high.”

Luigi DI BIAGIO (14):

“I missed my penalty and I’m extremely disappointed. I don’t know what to say. I’m very sorry. It’s no consolation knowing that great players such as Michel PLATINI and ZICO also missed penalties in their day. I am all the more bitter about it because I have taken two or three penalties successfully this season. It’s really hard to accept.”

Gianluca PAGLIUCA (12):

“I tried hard to stop every penalty kick. I am very disappointed. I did stop the one that was badly taken. After that save I felt that the road was clear. Anyway it’s a lottery. I do know how Youri DJORKAEFF takes penalties but unfortunately he wasn’t chosen to take any.”

Roberto BAGGIO (18):

“It’s heart-breaking to lose in three World Cup competitions on penalties. We gave our all and fought until the last. I would like to congratulate our opponents who will go through to the next round. Regarding the chance I missed during extra time, I saw Fabien BARTHEZ (16) come out, make a move to put me off but I shot too high. Nobody should be blamed for the missed penalties. You need a lot of courage to take them. I’m clearly disappointed, even if the feeling of disappointment is less than it was four years ago in the USA in the World Cup final.”

Paolo MALDINI (3 – captain):

“I’ve played in three consecutive World Cup competitions and it’s as though History is repeating itself. I’ve lost on penalty shoot-outs in a quarter final, a semi-final and a final. I felt confident, but we played against a very strong team. FRANCE is one of the favourites: they’re playing at home and they also seem to have luck on their side. Don’t forget that they have scored the most goals so far even though they didn’t convert their chances this evening”.

Angelo DI LIVIO (15):

“I was supposed to have replaced MORIERO (17), but PESSOTTO (7) got cramp. We suffered throughout normal time but in extra-time, we sorted things out and played better. We were not aiming for penalties. It’s a real lottery and at such times the ball seems to get smaller. I consoled DI BAGIO (14) after he missed his penalty. Whichever way you look at it, he had a great World Cup”.

Giuseppe BERGOMI (2):

“I’m very happy to have taken part in this World Cup. At my age, it’s a bonus. The team did its best and I think I gave everything I had”.

Gianluca PESSOTTO (7):

“Today my job was to mark ZIDANE (10) and I think I did well. He doesn’t just play in the final third, he’s all over the pitch. Sometimes I had to leave him. We know how important he is. We saw that again today even though he didn’t score or produce the vital pass. In any case, I hope he wins the World Cup because he deserves it”.

Match n°57: ITALY-FRANCE (quarter final) – Mixed Zone – Statements by FRANCE team players (II)

 Didier DESCHAMPS (7, captain):

“Tactically, everything went well this evening. We controlled the game. KAREMBEU (19) and PETIT (17) pushed up a lot on the wings. The team’s great strength was in midfield. We missed three chances and you can’t afford to against ITALY. Lilian THURAM (15) was a key figure in our attack. But it was difficult for me. The defenders simply had to defend. The further we go in this competition, the harder the matches get. Zizou (ZIDANE – 10) did a great job in midfield. His technical ability brought him through. We must get to the final. We have a competitive team and we must go further. GERMANY will most certainly get to the semi-final because they are stronger than CROATIA”.

Fabien BARTHEZ (16):

“Regarding the penalties, the people you should really congratulate are those who take them. The pressure is really on them. The goalkeeper just has to try to block. First of all, well done to the players. As for me, in such a situation I prefer to be left alone rather than be encouraged. This match has been like all the others, I had one or two things to do and after that I was just waiting for the final release”.

Stéphane GUIVARC’H (9):

“This win in the penalty shoot-outs is more than just a relief. It was a tight match, just like the one against PARAGUAY. The Italians didn’t come forward much and there was always the risk of a counter-attack. This win is down to the team who rightly deserve it. I always enjoy this kind of game. It was very exciting. If you offer me a place in the final through a penalty shoot-out, I’ll buy it straight away. As for my performance, I felt really sharp again and happy with my positioning. I felt good and it was a great evening”.

Laurent BLANC (5):

“We didn’t set ourselves any limits for this World Cup. We are here to win the final. We’ve two more matches to win. We expected a very tight match because of the way the Italians play. It’s very difficult to score goals against ITALY. In the first half we had three chances at goal. The second half was more difficult because it wasn’t easy to create chances. The team that battled the most won this evening. We produced more than ITALY”.

Lilian THURAM (15):

“FRANCE deserves this win. We played against ITALY, a good team that’s always dangerous. This isn’t a shock result because FRANCE has got some very good players and we’re playing at home. FRANCE need not be in awe of ITALY. We didn’t have much luck and we missed out on a couple of goals. The secret of any team is to be really solid at the back because victory ultimately comes from a good defence. The fact that some of our players play in ITALY has undoubtedly improved FRANCE’s tactical game. But we’re here to play positively. We were really united during the penalty shoot-out, and this feeling of solidarity certainly helped us. Each player has to give everything he can. When I come forward to attack, it’s with the intention of doing as much as possible for the team”.

Emmanuel PETIT (17):

“It was a marathon match. I really had the impression that the pitch was getting bigger as the game went on. After being out of the side for so long, I really wanted to give everything, and I have done in each game. When LIZARAZU (3) missed his penalty, I was really pessimistic. It’s a question of nerve. Tactically, it was a real battle. Just like against PARAGUAY, we were very uncomfortable against a side which closes the game down so much. We knew the Italians were trying to take it to penalties. As for the spirit in the squad, all twenty-two of us are pulling together as if we were a club side. We can tell that everyone wants to be out on the pitch, and its hardest for those who are on the bench. We deserved to win the match because they only created two chances.”

David TREZEGUET (20):

“It’s amazing. Just being involved in this World Cup is fantastic. I have to make the most of it. We knew ITALY play a very tactical game. It was a bit of a lottery, and the scales tipped our way. ITALY is a team that always plays in the same way. We know that the main thing is to win, but it doesn’t matter how. We’re dead set on winning this World Cup in France. In the next round, I’d rather play against CROATIA, and then why not ARGENTINA in the Final? But right now, I’m only thinking about the semi-final.”

Bixente LIZARAZU (3):

“The Italians let us go at them. We lacked the final touch in front of goal. Extra time and penalties are part of the game. We gave everything. I can’t explain how I missed the penalty and what I did wrong. In principle, I prefer not to take penalties. The fact that Fabien saved the next penalty put us all square again. Either side could have won.”