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Why World Cup 2014 Is France’s Best Chance of Success Since 2006
Published: March 12, 2013
Though Thuram and Makele would go on to represent les Bleus again at EURO 2008, Zidane’s retirement from football in the aftermath of an ugly altercation with Marco Materazzi in Berlin ripped the heart out of a French team that has yet to recover from his absence.
That search for the elusive replacement for Zizou has not yet turned up a credible replacement, but Didier Deschamps has begun to finally get a handle on the mental problems that have plagued les Bleus since Raymond Domenech’s reign.
The fact that Domenech led France to the World Cup final in 2006 despite being one of the country’s most unpopular coaches in history is remarkable. What it also tells you, though, is that a large element of that side managed itself.
Zidane alone carried more weight than Domenech and arguably it was his influence, playing in his last tournament, which inspired les Bleus to the Berlin final despite a slow start to the competition.
France no longer have the luxury of being able to call on the veterans of 1998 and 2000 anymore, and because of that Deschamps is having to shape a new generation of talent—albeit a less talented one that no longer boasts the presence of archetypal footballers such as Zidane, Makelele, Patrick Vieira, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry. Yet there is still considerable talent in Deschamps’ ranks.
However, the problem with some of those players is that they contribute towards a highly combustible atmosphere when the squad gets together that has all too often undermined the team’s efforts to win a major tournament before it even starts.
Samir Nasri is arguably the most su...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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