FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes
Statement by Aimé JACQUET, FRANCE team coach :
“Things aren’t perfect: we have lost Christophe DUGARRY (21) with a serious injury, and we seem to be picking up too many cards. But that’s the game. We played well, and showed some of our technical and tactical potential. Now we have to get over this game and handle things properly for the rest of the competition. We are very happy to have won this match. We are aware that it wasn’t easy. The FRANCE team gave a lot throughout the match, but we missed too many chances, especially in the first half, to be really comfortable. Everything would be fine if we didn’t have the injury to Christophe DUGARRY (21), which I think is pretty serious, and if we hadn’t had Zinédine ZIDANE (10) sent off. I think, as I have always said, that football must be a show, and for that, it must be wonderful, the players must show real professionalism. It is up to us to stay calm and keep our self-control. In football, acts always have to be considered in context. An act like this cannot escape judgement. But Zinédine ZIDANE will pay the price. We have to accept the penalty. As for Christophe DUGARRY’s injury, it looks like a bad hamstring injury. So, I estimate that he will be out for at least two weeks. The FRANCE team has great potential. It will continue on its path with more clear-sightedness, calmness and confidence. Of course, we have 6 points, so we are now qualified for the last sixteen, but the 3rd game is still important. This is the law if we are to pursue our ambition. We must not start calculating, because when you do this, you make mistakes. I hope that after a few days’ rest, the FRANCE team will be ready to continue. We’ll take each match as it comes, calmly. We have to time to recover. I like a FRANCE team that enjoys playing. It is in the nature of football to be totally committed and give everything. Since Euro 96, the FRANCE team has been developing a promising style, with everyone enjoying taking part. As for SAUDI ARABIA, you never know what happens in a match of this kind. The Saudi team was playing to survive this evening. Unfortunately, the sending off of their full back upset their plans. It’s not always easy to achieve what you set out to do.”
Fabien BARTHEZ (16) :
“It’s good that we’ve qualified, but it’s a shame that we’ve come out of this match with an injured DUGARRY and the sending off of ZIDANE. But that’s all part of the game, and we have to accept the knocks. As to the qualification, it’s not because we’ve scored seven goals in two matches that we’ve got it sewn up. It’s important to keep team morale high because there’s a great atmosphere and we’re 22 playing in
Youri DJORKAEFF (6):
“It’s a big win in front of our fans. To be able to put into practice what we learnt on the training ground and to see it working is a great moment which inspires the crowd. I haven’t thought about ZIDANE’s sending off, I have been thinking about DUGARRY’s injury above everything else. It’s difficult losing a friend in the second match”.
Zinedine ZIDANE (10):
“I didn’t deserve the red card. It’s an automatic ban. It’s disappointing to receive a red card. It was involuntary and it didn’t deserve such a punishment”.