Can France win without Zidane?
WebPosted Thu May 30 18:01:31 2002
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Ever since Zinedine Zidane picked up an injury last week and was subsequently ruled out of France's opening World Cup game against Senegal on May 31 (CBC 7 a.m. ET), soccer pundits have begun to write off the defending champions, even if the French boast a great deal of depth in their lineup.
Just when you got tired hearing about David Beckham's foot, now the condition of Zinedine Zidane's injured thigh has the soccer world in a tizzy. (AP Photo)
The question that seems to be nagging at everyone is this: Can France win without Zidane?
Unfortunately, it's a query that isn't easily answered.
There is no question that Zidane is a player of unmatched skill, vision and artistry. He is a midfield maestro capable of magic on the pitch, single-handedly controlling the tempo of the game with his brilliant playmaking skills, sublime footwork, and deft scoring touch.
He raises the game of players around him, inspiring France from the 1998 World Cup onward to hitherto unforeseen heights of brilliance and dominance over powerful soccer nations like Italy, Brazil and Germany. As a the driving force behind France's attack, Zidane played an pivotal role in leading Les Bleus to victory over mighty Brazil four years ago in France and in Euro 2000, when they defeated Italy in the final.
If nothing else, a $66-million (U.S.) price tag - the record transfer fee that Spanish club Real Madrid shelled out to Italian side Juventus in 2001 for the services of the Frenchman - underscores just how much his considerable talent is valued.
That being said, France boasts a reserve of world-class players at every position.
In Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Sylvain Wiltord, France have three of the premier strikers in soccer today. While all three usually rely on service from Zidane in midfield, they are more than capable of dropping back to win the ball in midfield to create their own scoring chances.
Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu are two of the best defenders in the world and are joined by seasoned veterans Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf. Willy Sagnol and Vincent Candela, although reserves for France, could easily be starters for any other team at the World Cup.
Even without Zidane, France has one of the deepest midfields in the world: Patrick Vieira, Christophe Dugarry, Claude Makelele and Emmanuel Petit. It will be up to these players, either singularly or collectively, to elevate their game and fill the void left by Zidane.
Of France's remaining midfielders, Vieira is the most-likely candidate. The hard-tackling, tough-as-nails midfielder fills a similar role to Zidane's for Arsenal in the English Premier League. A player of unrelenting resolve, Vieira could step up and lead France during Zidane's absence, depending on how long it will be.
Which brings us back to the original question: Can France win without Zidane?
A nervous nation and millions of soccer fans worldwide will soon find out.
WebPosted Thu May 30 18:01:31 2002
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Ever since Zinedine Zidane picked up an injury last week and was subsequently ruled out of France's opening World Cup game against Senegal on May 31 (CBC 7 a.m. ET), soccer pundits have begun to write off the defending champions, even if the French boast a great deal of depth in their lineup.
Just when you got tired hearing about David Beckham's foot, now the condition of Zinedine Zidane's injured thigh has the soccer world in a tizzy. (AP Photo)
The question that seems to be nagging at everyone is this: Can France win without Zidane?
Unfortunately, it's a query that isn't easily answered.
There is no question that Zidane is a player of unmatched skill, vision and artistry. He is a midfield maestro capable of magic on the pitch, single-handedly controlling the tempo of the game with his brilliant playmaking skills, sublime footwork, and deft scoring touch.
He raises the game of players around him, inspiring France from the 1998 World Cup onward to hitherto unforeseen heights of brilliance and dominance over powerful soccer nations like Italy, Brazil and Germany. As a the driving force behind France's attack, Zidane played an pivotal role in leading Les Bleus to victory over mighty Brazil four years ago in France and in Euro 2000, when they defeated Italy in the final.
If nothing else, a $66-million (U.S.) price tag - the record transfer fee that Spanish club Real Madrid shelled out to Italian side Juventus in 2001 for the services of the Frenchman - underscores just how much his considerable talent is valued.
That being said, France boasts a reserve of world-class players at every position.
In Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Sylvain Wiltord, France have three of the premier strikers in soccer today. While all three usually rely on service from Zidane in midfield, they are more than capable of dropping back to win the ball in midfield to create their own scoring chances.
Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu are two of the best defenders in the world and are joined by seasoned veterans Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf. Willy Sagnol and Vincent Candela, although reserves for France, could easily be starters for any other team at the World Cup.
Even without Zidane, France has one of the deepest midfields in the world: Patrick Vieira, Christophe Dugarry, Claude Makelele and Emmanuel Petit. It will be up to these players, either singularly or collectively, to elevate their game and fill the void left by Zidane.
Of France's remaining midfielders, Vieira is the most-likely candidate. The hard-tackling, tough-as-nails midfielder fills a similar role to Zidane's for Arsenal in the English Premier League. A player of unrelenting resolve, Vieira could step up and lead France during Zidane's absence, depending on how long it will be.
Which brings us back to the original question: Can France win without Zidane?
A nervous nation and millions of soccer fans worldwide will soon find out.
