Fuente : FIFA World Cup 2006
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/

WORLD CUP 2006: Zidane's return gives France fresh impetus

/noticias.info/ Close to a year after he announced his international retirement, the news that Zinedine Zidane is to return to a France side battling to secure a place at Germany 2006 could be just the fillip Les Bleus need as they prepare for some crucial qualifying encounters.

Zidane's return initially took French football by complete surprise, but that astonishment has turned to optimism as the fans and media alike begin to look forward with renewed hope to the vital away games against the Republic of Ireland on 7 September and Switzerland on 8 October.

A team that was being rebuilt under Raymond Domenech has so far failed to impose itself in a group that would have posed little threat to France sides of the recent past. With two wins and four draws, including three at home against their direct rivals, France currently lie fourth in the table, behind Ireland, Switzerland and Israel.

Zidane's shock revelation comes after a series of secret meetings with Domenech over recent months, and the superstar disclosed that his former Real Madrid team-mate Claude Makelele would be joining him in returning to the international fold.

The pair have responded to solicitations from the French footballing authorities who evidently believe the national side is at serious risk of elimination, and for whom failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup™ finals would be "catastrophic".

French Football Federation President Jean-Pierre Escalettes insisted that "their return is the result of a collective effort". The final decision was made by Zidane and Makelele, two men who believe they can help the Tricolores. "We held out a hand and they took it," he said. The pair may soon be joined by another former FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship winner from 1998 and 2000, Lilian Thuram.

Restoring confidence
Former French captain Marcel Desailly summed up the opinions of many regarding the return of his erstwhile second-in-command: "His comeback is obviously a good thing for a side that is searching for an identity."

Zidane may be adamant that he is no modern-day Zorro, but he will know he has a vital role to play in restoring confidence to a side that lost most of its major stars in the wake of a disappointing EURO 2004 campaign. The retirement en masse of players of the calibre of Zidane, Makelele, Thuram, Bixente Lizarazu and Desailly left France shorn of experience at the start of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

"We have some great players in the French team but they lack the confidence to show all their talent. The return of a figurehead like 'Zizou' might give us the self-belief we need to make it to the World Cup," reasoned goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, who will step in for the suspended Fabien Barthez for the next few matches.

The system Domenech intends to use was no doubt one of the topics Zidane discussed at length with the French coach. He will probably be given a central playmaking role similar to the one he should be handed by Real Madrid coach Wanderlei Luxemburgo this season.

Zidane had reluctantly accepted a left midfield position in a 4-4-2 formation in Portugal, so a move to the heart of the side should enable him to give full expression to his exceptional talent.

For the trips to Switzerland and Ireland, Les Bleus should revert to a 4-2-3-1 system then, with two defensive midfielders, two wide men, and Zidane dictating the pace behind sole striker Thierry Henry.

This, after all, was the system used so successfully at EURO 2000. Zidane's return is undoubtedly motivated by the disappointment he experienced in France's early exits from major tournaments in 2002 and 2004 as well as the frustration he has felt in recent seasons with Real Madrid.

This is Zidane’s last stand then, but he will need to be at his brilliant best to convince the supporters, press and not least coach Domenech that he really can lead France to Germany.

The game with Côte d'Ivoire on 17 August in Montpellier should provide some of the answers as to the significance of his return, and in any event, a relatively low key friendly has taken on a whole new dimension with just weeks to go before the perilous trips to Ireland and Switzerland.

France's forthcoming match schedule:
Wednesday 17 August 2005, Montpellier:
France-Côte d'Ivoire (friendly)

Saturday 3 September 2005, Lens:
France-Faroe Islands (FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifier)

Wednesday 7 September 2005, Dublin:
Ireland-France (FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifier)

Saturday 8 October 2005, Bern:
Switzerland-France (FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifier)

Wednesday 12 October 2005. Saint-Denis:
France-Cyprus (FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifier)

Wednesday 1 March 2006, Saint-Denis:
France-Slovakia (friendly) notas_de_prensa_archivo