FRANCE FIND THEIR JOIE DE VIVRE
Rejuvenated hosts in confident mood ahead of semi-final showdown
IF ANYONE embodies the change in the mood of French football then it is Patrice Evra. Prominent in a player rebellion during France’s miserable World Cup in South Africa six years ago, it seemed that Evra was a man whose reputation in his own country was destined to remain on the floor.
How remarkable, then, to see the former Manchester United defender leading the pre-match tub-thumping before France’s 5-2 defeat of Iceland in Paris on Sunday. As Didier Deschamps’ players gathered in a huddle at the end of the warm-up, it was Evra who was seen rousing his team-mates.
Just as France have managed to overcome years of controversy and underachievement to make an impression on their own tournament here, so Evra, now 35, has managed to reinvent himself as a force for unity rather than division.
‘You just have to see players like Patrice and Bacary Sagna behave in the group to see what we have here,’ said Deschamps this week. ‘This is a squad of players who are very together and want to achieve things together. Patrice is part of that and in many ways is at the front of that.’
The front page of France sports daily L’Equipe the morning after the defeat of Iceland which set up tonight’s semi-final with Germany in Marseille summed up a change in national mood in France.
‘ La ballade des joueurs heureux’ was the headline above a picture of the French celebrating. Translated that means: ‘The ballad of the happy players’. L’Equipe has often been at the forefront of criticism of the France team. In 2010, as they crashed out at the group stages, the paper was fierce in its opposition to coach Raymond Domenech and some of his players. The paper’s mood this week, however, has reflected happier feelings.
As France have progressed through the tournament, so the public has begun to buy into the prospect of Deschamps leading the nation to glory as Aime Jacquet did at the World Cup here in 1998.
‘Nobody can change history, but we have a new page to write,’ Deschamps said. ‘It’s a blank page today, but they can fill it tomorrow. I think the players believe and the people too, but our opponents remain the best team.’
Tonight at Stade Velodrome, France will benefit from some of the most fanatical support this country has to offer and Deschamps will also be aware that the Germans had to endure extra-time and penalties in order to see off Italy.
‘I don’t want to play this game thinking of just defending,’ Deschamps added. ‘We have offensive strength to score and create chances.
‘We will have the public totally behind us and that will play its role. We’ll need it because we will have difficult times.’
Germany coach Joachim Low must find a way to replace suspended defender Mats Hummels and the injured Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira. Deschamps’ team, on the other hand, will pretty much pick itself with central defender Adil Rami probably returning after suspension.
The sceptics will point out that Germany are the first difficult side France have faced in the competition.
Certainly Evra and Sagna may find their legs tested in hot conditions against a side who will try to press them like no other.