------by FIFAworldcup.com
Source:
07-04-2006 10:33
Les Bleus have now eliminated the Brazilians three times on the global stage (1986, 1998 and 2006), a record that must leave the rest of the planet green with envy. So how did they do it? FIFAworldcup.com identifies where Saturday's match in Frankfurt was won and lost.
After a strong ten-minute opening spell from Brazil, France took a stranglehold on proceedings and never loosened their grip. The defending champions found themselves locked in a contest with a French side who were ravenous for the ball, not least in defence where the Seleção were consistently denied good shooting opportunities.
'Tremendous experience'
"They have tremendous experience and are very good tactically," said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira afterwards. "They knew how to defend and were very fast." Even as the minutes ticked down at the end of the match, France were able to shut up shop – a fact players further upfield were quick to note. "The most important factor today was our defence," said winger Florent Malouda. "That enabled us to play as a solid block and create chances."
At the opposite end of the pitch, Frank Ribery never stopped forcing defenders into mistakes with his vibrant running, while Thierry Henry tried, tried and tried again until finding the back of the net. "Whether one or two players shine is not important. What's important is the team," said the Arsenal marksman, beneficiary of a Zinedine Zidane assist for the very first time. "Everyone fights for everyone else and that's what makes this team extraordinary. Without that, it's impossible to win."
Peerless in the middle of the park, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and Zidane completely snuffed out the danger posed by Juninho Pernambucano, Gilberto Silva, Kaka and Ronaldinho. For Vieira, after the games against Togo and Spain here was further proof that he has overcome any psychological doubts he may have been harbouring. The Juventus player could not ask for a better partner than Makelele, who extinguished any attacking threats.
Overjoyed with the result, Vieira met journalists' questions with a telling phrase: "I've got nothing left to prove, but the criticisms still hurt." Having never looked so fired up for his country, perhaps the 30-year-old drew additional motivation from some of the unkinder comments made and written about him. As for Makelele, his analysis after the game was as clear and simple as his style of play: "We performed well everywhere: at the back, in midfield and up front."
Read the FIFA TSG analysis
Zidane masterclass
In the run-up to the Spain match, the Spanish press were practically discussing Zidane's career in the past tense. If that was some kind of ploy, it backfired badly. No doubt riled, the legendary playmaker sent Spain home with an excellent performance, and he was imperious from start to finish against the Brazilians.
Right from the kick-off, a trademark spinning turn followed by a stepover set the tone for a 'Zizou' masterclass, and even Parreira joined the chorus of praise when he said: "He's one of the best players of the last ten years. He has great technique and, although he did not get behind us a lot, he set up the goal from a free-kick. He moves all the time and made life difficult for our players. He had a very fine match."
Over the course of 90 minutes, Zidane not only found time for every trick in the book but proved he is still up to the physical challenge. Constructing moves and even speeding up the play, 'ZZ' turned in perhaps his best-ever performance for Les Bleus. "He was exceptional," said right-back Willy Sagnol. "He wants to give everything in his last games."
Brazil below par
The French may have been in inspired form, but there is no denying that the world champions never managed to raise their game. Not even brief late rally, when Robinho and Adriano entered the fray, could mask their glaring deficiencies. Most disappointingly, Ronaldinho was short of his delicious best, as he had been all tournament, and both Ronaldo and Kaka were kept quiet.
The defence did what they could to cope with France's rampaging forwards, but ultimately the Auriverde were given a lesson by Zidane in their own supposed strengths of technique and creativity. "I think our team just wasn't very good today," confessed Juninho Pernambucano afterwards, echoing the thoughts of team-mate Ronaldo.
"France were superior and that's the way football is," said the Real Madrid striker. "We knew they were a great side and they showed it again. The French play great football: an intelligent kind of football that outclassed us." Kaka, one of Brazil's better players at this FIFA World Cup™, had an equally clear understanding of why his team fell short: "We never found the right rhythm. We didn't play like a Brazil team ought to. It's sad to lose. It's really a disappointment because we prepared for so long and then it ends like this. It's such a shame."
Editor:Ge
