FRANCE 98 – France-Denmark – E. Petit: “The goal that I scored in the second half is more important for the team than for me”

France-Denmark – E. Petit: “The goal that I scored in the second half is more important for the team than for me”

24.06.98 19h28 CET

Didier DESCHAMPS (7):

“The team has maintained its momentum. We had to face a difficult opponent here today. In the first half, we conceded a goal due to a lack of concentration. But we were able to control our game. We are top of the group. However, each match from now on is a final. Personally, I would prefer to avoid SPAIN (Group D).”

Zinedine ZIDANE (10):

“Our mission is accomplished. We are on the right track. Mentally, my situation was very hard to deal with. I was so close to the pitch, so close to the action, and yet I couldn’t do anything. This suspension allows me to recuperate and rest my thigh. The public really appreciated the performance. Emmanuel PETIT (17), Marcel DESAILLY (8) played very well. The aim was for everybody to get a game. They all rose to the challenge.”

Alain BOGHOSSIAN (14):

“It’s a perfect outcome as we’ve played three and won three, which wasn’t all that easy. We have to continue in this attacking style because the next matches are going to be a knock-out situation and we can’t afford to lose. All the team feel involved because, for us, you need 22 players to win a World Cup”.

Emmanuel PETIT (17):

“We are satisfied; the contract has been fulfilled. Psychologically, it was important for me to get rid of this image of a bad luck charm. The goal that I scored in the second half is more important for the team than for me. We have played three matches that were exciting for the public to watch and what’s more, we won. Today’s match has allowed us to bond with our public once and for all. The substitutes played their part well and the idea of shuffling the team around as we did today, keeps everybody concentrated and involved. For the last 16, I would rather play against PARAGUAY (Group D) than SPAIN (Group D).”

Youri DJORKAEFF (6)

“It was brilliant to play this World Cup match in LYON and to score my first goal in the Cup in my home town. I knew that my family and friends were in the stands. I saw my son for the first time in over a month. The LYON crowd were waiting for me and I was moved by their welcome.”

Thierry HENRY (12)

“My opponents now know what to expect, but that doesn’t change anything for me on a mental level because I always do everything I can so that I can leave the pitch with my head held high. It’s not easy to come on half way through the game but the crowd helped me by cheering my name. There’s a lot of good spirit in this French team; we really are a squad of 22 players. There are no substitutes.”