France – D. Deschamps: “Since last night, I've thought about nothing but Brazil”

France – D. Deschamps: “Since last night, I’ve thought about nothing but Brazil”

09.07.98 21h51 CET

Statements from Clairefontaine (south west of PARIS), 9 July

Didier DESCHAMPS (7), team captain:

“It will be difficult, but we are not expected to win, an victory would be a bonus. This World Cup final will pit us against the best of teams. BRAZIL has a reputation to live up to, and they have since they are also going to be in the final. They don’t have to possess the ball to be dangerous. Tactically, we can’t match up with them, so we’ll have to focus on our strong points, namely good defence. We’ll have to score one more goal than them, regardless of who scores it (defender or striker). I hope our defence, considered the most solid, wins the battle, because they have the best attack in this World Cup. But if we win it will be because of teamwork. The match will be tactical and physical, but not very spectacular, as so many finals are.

Since last night, I’ve thought about nothing but BRAZIL, and I see wonderful things. This is a unique opportunity for us. Defeating BRAZIL will have an even bigger impact. The public fervour is incredible, but those who show up at the stadium in their “suits and ties” to sulk have no business being there. Unfortunately, the die hard fans will be at home in front of their TV sets, but that’s who we’ll need Sunday inside the stadium. I really don’t want to hear the samba for an hour and a half.”

Thierry HENRY (12):

“Lilian THURAM is an incredible player who’s extremely generous. Whenever he gets fired up, he scores goals like a striker, and yesterday he was very much on fire. The Croatians play a slow-paced game, they hog the ball and it’s not always easy getting it away from them. This match really tested us. As far as I’m concerned, Laurent BLANC (5) didn’t deserve to be sent off. If every player that pushed and shoved were to get sent off, there would be no one left on the pitch. Each time we played, we dug down deep inside to find the victory. Now we have to recuperate and concentrate on the final against BRAZIL. It’s the dream final, one you’d play on a video game or in the streets. Everybody is looking forward to this match. I think that players like Roberto CARLOS (6) can make the difference, because he spends more time up front than in back, even if people only talk about RONALDO (9) and DENILSON (19). Let me finish by saying that I’d like to dedicate this final to my father, mother and brother.”

Stéphane GUIVARC’H (9):

“Yesterday’s match wasn’t easy. I was often the only one in attack, facing Croats who were playing dirty. I was on the receiving end of a lot cheating and fouling, and that put me off my game. To not score goals as a striker is very frustrating; still, I was pleased about this match, since we came out as winners. The quality of my game is not under question, and if I didn’t score last night it was because of a lack of good chances and our opponents’ negative play.

The match against BRAZIL will be totally different; we’ll be free to play our own game and so have more chances to counter-attack.”

Emmanuel PETIT (17)

A blue cap pulled over his head, and wearing a multicoloured top, Emmanuel PETIT makes no attempt to hide the fact that the CROATIA match was easier than both the PARAGUAY (1-0) and ITALY (won on a penalty shoot-out) matches. He calmly takes stock of the route taken since qualification and goes on to say: ” there is no lassitude three days from the final. The most important thing for us players is to make our mark in the history of French football by going a step further than our predecessors, PLATINI, Tigana, Giresse, who deserved to make the final.”

“It’s extraordinary, I’m living a childhood dream. It’s wonderful to have qualified and it would be brilliant if we could walk away with the Cup”, says the midfielder, who then goes on to pay tribute to his friend “Thuthu” [THURAM (15)], one of the best defenders in the world. “If the goal of the players is to win the Cup, then the team will benefit as a whole,” says the midfielder, certain that his team-mates are totally prepared mentally for the final against the Brazilians.

RONALDO (9) doesn’t worry Emmanuel PETIT too much. What is most important for him is the performance of the French team during this historic meeting. He is confident: “as we approach 14 July (French National Holiday), it would be great to put on an explosive performance at the Stade de France in SAINT-DENIS!”