Stuttgart88
18/08/2005, 12:56 PM
(Mods, if more appropriate to World Football please move)
Some press reaction to France & Switzerland's wins last night:
(ESP)-ZIDANE - THE SPARK IS BACK
2005-08-18 05:46 (New York)
ZIDANE - THE SPARK IS BACK
From Isabelle Rondeau, PA Sport
PARIS, August 18 (National Team) - Returning France captain Zinedine Zidane
and striker Thierry Henry reckon the spark is back in the team after their 3-0
friendly hammering of the Ivory Coast on Wednesday evening.
The international returns of 'Zizou', midfielder Claude Makelele and defender
Lilian Thuram following their decisions to come out of retirement proved
fruitful, with all three adding something the young French side had been lacking
for the past year.
Less than a month before the start of their final four 2006 World Cup
qualifiers, France seemed to have rediscovered their joie de vivre, with William
Gallas, Zidane and Henry all netting in front of a raucous La Mosson crowd.
``When I came on to the pitch wearing the blue shirt I felt a particular
emotion,'' said Zidane, who made his first appearance for Les Bleus since the
Euro 2004.
``Against the Ivory Coast we defended well and we were capable of being
decisive.
``Everyone put on a good performance and I believe the spark is back.''
Henry, who had not found the back of the net with France since last October
World Cup qualifier with Cyprus, is also convinced France are back on track.
``We have rediscovered our pace, our form and the pleasure of playing all
together,'' the Arsenal star said.
``Zizou brought us a great deal and we felt he was at ease with us.''
But Coach Raymond Domenech urged his men not to get carried away, with crunch
Group Four clashes against the Faroe Islands and the Republic of Ireland in
September and Switzerland and Cyprus a month later.
Les Bleus lie fourth in a group that could not be much tighter, with only
three points lying between them an and leaders Ireland.
``My players found the right balance against the Ivory Coast and we obviously
suffered less than in our past matches,'' Domenech said.
``I don't think there was a `Zidane effect' but a more all-round effect
triggered by the experience of Zidane, Thuram, Makelele and also (Willy)
Sagnol.''
Some press reaction to France & Switzerland's wins last night:
(ESP)-ZIDANE - THE SPARK IS BACK
2005-08-18 05:46 (New York)
ZIDANE - THE SPARK IS BACK
From Isabelle Rondeau, PA Sport
PARIS, August 18 (National Team) - Returning France captain Zinedine Zidane
and striker Thierry Henry reckon the spark is back in the team after their 3-0
friendly hammering of the Ivory Coast on Wednesday evening.
The international returns of 'Zizou', midfielder Claude Makelele and defender
Lilian Thuram following their decisions to come out of retirement proved
fruitful, with all three adding something the young French side had been lacking
for the past year.
Less than a month before the start of their final four 2006 World Cup
qualifiers, France seemed to have rediscovered their joie de vivre, with William
Gallas, Zidane and Henry all netting in front of a raucous La Mosson crowd.
``When I came on to the pitch wearing the blue shirt I felt a particular
emotion,'' said Zidane, who made his first appearance for Les Bleus since the
Euro 2004.
``Against the Ivory Coast we defended well and we were capable of being
decisive.
``Everyone put on a good performance and I believe the spark is back.''
Henry, who had not found the back of the net with France since last October
World Cup qualifier with Cyprus, is also convinced France are back on track.
``We have rediscovered our pace, our form and the pleasure of playing all
together,'' the Arsenal star said.
``Zizou brought us a great deal and we felt he was at ease with us.''
But Coach Raymond Domenech urged his men not to get carried away, with crunch
Group Four clashes against the Faroe Islands and the Republic of Ireland in
September and Switzerland and Cyprus a month later.
Les Bleus lie fourth in a group that could not be much tighter, with only
three points lying between them an and leaders Ireland.
``My players found the right balance against the Ivory Coast and we obviously
suffered less than in our past matches,'' Domenech said.
``I don't think there was a `Zidane effect' but a more all-round effect
triggered by the experience of Zidane, Thuram, Makelele and also (Willy)
Sagnol.''