France – M. Desailly: “We are determined to leave our mark on French football like Platini did”

Comments from Clairefontaine (southwest of PARIS)

Didier DESCHAMPS, captain (7):

“Defensively, we played a good match against ITALY. For me, Marcel DESAILLY (8), who is at top form, is the best defender in this World Cup. The most important thing was to prevent the Italians from getting the ball. Zinedine ZIDANE (10) played very well, and brought a lot to the team, in terms of holding on to the ball. He’s an important player, but he isn’t the whole team.

We’re in the process of making French football history. I was able to see the match again last night: we were very strong both mentally and physically. We’re also more energised this morning compared to the day after the match against PARAGUAY. Moreover, we’re going to have five days to recuperate, as opposed to the Euro competition when we only had three. We’re now in the semi-finals, even if we haven’t scored for two matches. But I’m for these extra times if they allow us to make it to the final! In the next match, I’d like to avoid GERMANY, as they are a very strong team.”

Thierry HENRY (12):

“David TREZEGUET (20) and I were not afraid to shoot penalty kicks. I tried not to think of anything, I took all the time I needed to place the ball. Once the ball was in the net, it was an immense relief. I didn’t react too much to the shot that LIZARAZU (3) missed so I wouldn’t break concentration. But after my own shot, I went over to comfort him. I’d like to compliment the three players who missed their shots, Bixente LIZARAZU, Demetrio ALBERTINI (9) and Luigi DI BIAGIO (14), because I know it’s not easy. For this match, Zinedine ZIDANE and Youri DJORKAEFF (6), who have experience, gave me some advice: they told me to try anything to score. Moreover, the stronger teams today are those who are able to mix the experience of the more seasoned players with the freshness of the younger ones. When I came onto the pitch, I heard the fans call my name for several seconds. It was very moving. But I needed above all to remain concentrated, because physically and mentally, it wasn’t easy to go the distance. As soon as the final whistle blew, I shared my joy with Bernard LAMA (1), because he’s a great professional and it was hard for him to remain on the bench.

From the beginning of the competition, FRANCE was never really in danger. But we ought to distance ourselves a bit; the World Cup takes place once every four years, and it’s not every day that we make it to the semi-finals. I have some vague memories of 1982, even if I was only five years old. I remember especially a goal by Marius Trésor. My memories of this World Cup won’t be of the games themselves, but of the friendship between the fans of the two sides, during the UNITED STATES-IRAN match”.

Marcel DESAILLY (8):

“This match against ITALY was the most important of my career. I’m glad that we weren’t put into a tight spot. It wasn’t too hard for me. I’m very surprised that the Italian team didn’t play up to capacity. It’s a shame they just waited behind. We saw that the two teams were evenly matched, although we were better on the attack. We pulled together as a team and our 4-3-3 formation suited me well. Our midfielders give their all. We’re a bit weaker on the attack but we look for opportunities, we’ll get it down… As for our next match, I think that CROATIA can create a surprise. Our goal is the final. We are determined to leave our mark on French football like PLATINI did. It would be great if people spoke of the DESAILLY generation…”

Bixente LIZARAZU (3):

“The match against ITALY was exceptional, and the FRANCE team shone through its performance, especially during the first half. I think that FRANCE had a solid defence. As for the penalty shoot out which I missed, I had decided to shoot that way but my shot wasn’t strong enough. That missed shot was compensated by Demetrio ALBERTINI’s. That allowed me to forget my error. That said, I really don’t care to take part in penalty shoot outs, I’ll let someone else take my place. The competition continues with the semi-finals and we’re going to have to make the difference this time before extra time or a possible penalty shoot out. This quarter-final represented for me and for the rest of the team the first step in this World Cup, and the semi-finals will be step n. 2. We’ll need to be in top form and also very clear-minded to win our next match, and I also hope that a small element of chance plays in our favour. We’re nonetheless tired physically and the few days of rest that remain before the next stage will allow us to gird our strength”.

Lilian THURAM (15):

Like his team mates, Lilian THURAM watched the match on television in his hotel room and he had the same feeling as when he was in action on the pitch: the team tried hard, they were concentrated and sure of themselves mentally. “FRANCE deserved their victory,” said Lilian THURAM. “All the players now have a winning mentality but they can’t just stop at this victory over ITALY. The goal is to win the World Cup.”

Lilian THURAM had quite a scare during the match when Roberto BAGGIO made his way through the French defence: “from my position on the field, I thought the ball was going into the net”. The defender makes no secret of his distaste for penalty shoot outs: “it’s not my thing”. On the other hand he admires the self-assurance of David TREZEGUET and Thierry HENRY who spontaneously asked captain DESCHAMPS to participate in the penalty shoot out. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a 20 year-old”.

Lilian THURAM also attributes the quality of the French defence to the midfielders “who place the ball well into the opponents’ end, who know how to recover balls and regroup themselves quickly in moments of danger”.

Emmanuel PETIT (17):

Ever since he played with Arsenal in ENGLAND, Emmanuel PETIT has created a new personality, that of a player who always looks to excel. “That’s how I earned the respect of my team mates, of the fans and of the press in ENGLAND, which wasn’t the case in FRANCE,” says Emmanuel PETIT, who enjoys giving his all for the team. And he intends for his team to make football history. “Our qualifications for the semi-finals in 1982 and 1986 are certainly historical moments, but our goal is to write a new page in World Cup history”.

In the semi-final, Emmanuel PETIT would like to play the young CROATIA team. “It would be wonderful for that country to make the semi-finals for their first World Cup”. Emmanuel PETIT also left his mark of sportsmanship on this memorable match, by playing for time when he saw an Italian player injured. “I don’t like to cheat. I realised it was serious and at that moment I decided to kick the ball out of play,” the midfielder commented.

Emmanuel PETIT is very proud of being one of the architects of the French qualification: “The whole team made it a point of honour to beat the Squadra Azzurra”.