France-Croatia – A. Jacquet: “The two goals scored by Lilian Thuram are a great reward for us”

“I think it was a very difficult match. We knew it would be hard for us because the CROATIA team can perform well and be difficult to break down. Their goal was a blow to us. But after this goal we responded well and were thus able to turn the game round. We had some good and bad patches in the match and the sending-off of Laurent BLANC (5) hit us hard. Our physical performance was lacking in the first half and we were thrown off by the technical game of the CROATIA team. They can give the impression that they are not going forward and then they suddenly stab you in the back. The end of the game was very different because, before the sending-off of Laurent BLANC (5), we had been on top. I had thought that we would finish the game on a high note, but after five matches we didn’t have the physical resources to make up for being one man short. The way we line up is with two full backs who are really attacking wing-backs. The two goals scored by Lilian THURAM (15) are a great reward for us and especially for him, because he’s had a great World Cup. Obviously when you are in the World Cup final you can only be optimistic. We’ve been preparing for this for so long, and the chance to play against the masters of world football here in FRANCE is absolutely fabulous. The logical favourite is BRAZIL. They can surpass anyone as and when they please, as they did against the NETHERLANDS. However, we’re at home and we are ready to rise to the challenge. We put in a great effort tonight and the support from the crowd was amazing. I can’t comment yet on the sending-off of Laurent BLANC (5). I’ll have to see the video, but I must say that knowing the man and the player I’d be surprised if he did anything really reprehensible. It will be tough for us without him.”