Soccer Nostalgia: Preparations of a Host (or Defending Champion)-Part One (France 1982/84)-Part b (Spring 1983)

II. 1982/83 season (Spring 1983)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 4-Portugal (February 16, 1983, Guimaraes)

France’s first friendly of the new year (1983) was on away soil once again, this time at Portugal at Guimaraes.

Marius Tresor and Alain Couriol were both out injured.

Hidalgo confirmed Tempet as his current number one by starting him. Strasbourg goalkeeper Dominique Dropsy was recalled to act as cover (he had been out of favor since 1981).

Nantes’ excellent season also earned a recall for winger Loic Amisse (his last cap was in 1980).

Dominique Rocheteau was likewise recalled.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 87, March 1983

(Jean-Pierre Tempet)

Marius Tresor’s injury allowed Hidalgo to install Maxime Bossis as Libero for the first time for the National Team and he would grab his opportunity to make Hidalgo question whether Tresor would be able to last until 1984.

Bossis had been Nantes’ Libero since the start of the 1982/83 season to excellent effect (Nantes would be Champions that season).

Mahut also earned a recall as stopper to partner Bossis in central defense, with Amoros and Battiston firmly established as the outside backs.

Platini, Giresse and now Fernandez started in midfield. Hidalgo had to choose between Tigana and Fernandez. Tigana was ill, therefore Fernandez started, though Tigana would make an appearance as a substitute.

Hidalgo chose a 4-3-3 formation, with Ferreri and Amisse as wingers and Stopyra as the new number nine.

In the end it was a rather easy win against a disorganized Portuguese side lacking any cohesion.

France were up (2-0) after eight minutes through goals by Stopyra and Ferreri (through passes from Platini).

Stopyra scored another goal in the 70^th minute.

Hidalgo praised Bossis’ performance as Libero, as well as the integration of the young players. He said, “We could have been pre-occupied with Marius’ (Tresor) succession. After what Bossis just did, we have no such worries”.

As far as the cohabitation of two new Liberos, he added, “in friendlies it is out of question for Tresor to be a substitute for official competition he could be on the bench”.

‘L’Equipe’’s headline on February 17^th, 1983 read “This France squad is calm just like Bossis”.

Also to note, that the match took place just a few weeks after the death of Bastia and France midfielder (1978 World Cup veteran) Claude Papi, aged just 33, from an Aneurysm. The French players wore black armbands in the match.

Date: February 16, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Guimaraes –Estadio Municipal

Attendance: 9,000

Portugal 0-France 3 (Yannick Stopyra 7,70, Jean-Marc Ferreri 8)

France: Jean-Pierre Tempet, Patrick Battiston, Philippe Mahut, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini, Luis Fernandez (Thierry Tusseau 75^th), Jean-Marc Ferreri (Jean Tigana 63^rd), Yannick Stopyra (Dominique Rocheteau 80^th), Loic Amisse

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1924, February 22, 1983

(February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1983

(Maxime Bossis, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984

(Alain Giresse and Jean-Marc Ferreri, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 16, 1983

(Luis Fernandez, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 16, 1983

(Alain Giresse, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 87, March 1983

(Luis Fernandez and Michel Platini, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984

(Michel Platini, February 16, 1983, Portugal 0-France 3)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 5-USSR (March 23, 1983, Paris)

France’s next friendly was against the Soviet Union at Paris (in another un-televised match). Hidalgo kept faith with the same squad as the Portugal match.

15 out of the 16 players selected against Portugal were present for this match against a stronger opposition.

The only change from previous squad against Portugal was Alain Couriol. He came on for Daniel Bravo, who was retained with the Under-21 squad.

Bossis was once again installed as the Libero with Mahut as his partner.

France employed a 4-3-3 formation once more with Ferreri and Amisse as wingers supporting Stopyra as the number nine.

This was the first time that Hidalgo had selected the same squad two matches in a row.

Prior to the match, there had been a lot of chatter about Alain Giresse’s future destination as many clubs were courting him. In the end he would re-sign with Bordeaux for three more years and apparently this lifted a huge weight from his shoulders and he was able to play more freely.

As a promise to Juventus, Michel Platini was to play one half only (Tigana would replace him in the second half).

Attendance was satisfactory at Parc des Princes after low turnouts in two previous matches vs. Poland and Hungary.

France played poorly in the first half, most notably Ferreri who struggled.

The French lost too many balls and made many erroneous passes.

The Soviets dominated the first twenty minutes. Blokhin scored a goal in the 27^th minute that was ruled out due to offside and handball.

It was no surprise when France fell behind to a Cherenkov goal in the 28^th minute.

Afterwards France pressured and Fernandez (playing his first match for France at his club’s home ground) scored after an assist from Platini.

France took initiative in second half as the Soviets started to tire, though the score remained unchanged.

France had faced their strongest test of the season (the Poland match could be written off as an anomaly).

Phillipe Mahut played his last ever match for France as Hidalgo was unsatisfied with the position of Stopper. Dominique Dropsy was likewise never called up again by Hidalgo.

This was Amisse’s last match for France; he would be called up once in the following season (though he would not play).

Date: March 23, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 40,908

France 1-USSR 1 (Luis Fernandez 42 / Fyodor Cherenkov 28)

France: Jean-Pierre Tempet, Patrick Battiston, Philippe Mahut (12-Thierry Tusseau 78^th), Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini (Jean Tigana 46^th), Jean-Marc Ferreri, Yannick Stopyra, Loic Amisse (Dominique Rocheteau 65^th)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1929, March 29, 1983

(March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(Oleg Blokhin and Luis Fernandez, March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1983

(Battiston, Platini and Bossis in a defensive wall, March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football 1983

(Maxime Bossis and Oleg Blokhin, March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football 1983

(March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 88, April 1983

(March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 16, 1983

(Maxime Bossis and Oleg Blokhin, March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 88, April 1983

(Phillipe Mahut and Sergei Rodionov, March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 88, April 1983

(March 23, 1983, France 1-USSR 1)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 6-Yugodlavia (April 23, 1983, Paris)

France’s next friendly was against Yugoslavia at Paris. Hidalgo would have to do without Platini who was retained with Juventus.

Battiston, Giresse, Amisse, as well as Tresor were also missing through injury.

Thierry Tusseau would be called in to replace Battiston at the back. Bossis continued his run as Libero in Tresor’s absence.

To partner him as Stopper in central defense, Hidalgo selected Brest’s uncapped tall defender Yvon Le Roux.

The other uncapped newcomer to the squad was Nantes’ talented Jose Toure, nicknamed ‘Le Bresilien’ (The Brazilian).

The duo took their opportunity with delight and would both score in the match.

Most notably, Le Roux established himself as the Stopper that Hidalgo was searching for.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 89, May 1983

(Jose Toure and Yvon Le Roux)

Other players who earned recalls after a time of absence included Bruno Bellone, Didier Six and Bernard Genghini Surprisingly; Jean-Luc Ettori was also called up as back-up goalkeeper.

Young uncapped Nantes defender William Ayache would also be called up for defensive cover.

This was a weakened Yugoslavia side who were missing many of their stars; including Paris St Germain based Safet Susic, as well as Vladimir Petrovic (Arsenal).

The likes of Zoran and Zlatko Vujovic, Jerolimov, Blaz Sliskovic, Nenad Stojkovic, Milos Sestic and Pasic were unavailable as they were doing their military service.

Susic dismissed the current squad by saying “those in Paris, know just a year ago they weere not ready for the National Team and know they are not playing in the real National Team“.

France played in a 4-3-3 formation with Tigana was the organizer in midfield. Ferreri was on the right wing and Toure was the center forward (though playing as number 10).

It was a match that France totally dominated against a weak inexperienced Yugoslavian side. Tempet was a virtual spectator as France did all the attacking.

The debutant, Yvon Le Roux opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a header. Dominique Rocheteau scored France’s second ten minutes later.

He scored France’s third just after the break from an indirect free kick.

The other debutant Jose Touré rounded out the scoring with a brilliant volley in the 74th minute.

Bellone had done so well that even Hidalgo expressed his surprise.

Hidalgo once again praised the input of the youth and how they had taken their opportunity (Le Roux and Toure).

Hidalgo liked that the Group was becoming larger.

Bossis underlined the “excellent atmosphere with the ‘Les Bleues’ (the blues)“.

Le Roux would become France’s Stopper that day as the Mahut experiment was over and Christian Lopez was out of reckoning. (Le Roux would also earn a transfer to AS Monaco in the offseason).

Yugoslavia Manager Todor Veselinovic declared France as the next Euro Champions.

Date: April 23, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 40,881

France 4-Yugoslavia 0 (Yvon Le Roux 22, Dominique Rocheteau 32, 47, Jose Touré 74)

France: Jean-Pierre Tempet, Manuel Amoros, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Thierry Tusseau, Luis Fernandez, Jean Tigana, José Touré (Bernard Genghini 79^th), Jean-Marc Ferreri (Yannick Stopyra 80^th), Dominique Rocheteau, Bruno Bellone (Didier Six 86^th)

Note:

1-In Bold, new caps.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1933, April 26, 1983

(April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1933, April 26, 1983

(Dominique Rocheteau, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1933, April 26, 1983

(Jose Toure and Yvon Le Roux, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(Jose Toure, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1983

(Bruno Bellone, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1983

(Jose Toure, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1983

(Jose Toure, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984

(Luis Fernanadez, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 16, 1983

(Bruno Bellone, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 90, June 1983

(Jose Toure, April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 97, January 1984

(April 23, 1983, France 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 7-Belgium (May 31, 1983, Luxembourg)

France’s final friendly of the season was against Belgium at Luxembourg to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of Luxembourg’s Football Association.

Hidalgo would be forced to build a makeshift squad as many of his regulars were missing.

Michel Platini was once again unavailable, as Juventus had retained him for the Coppa Italia.

In Addition, Tresor, Bossis, Tusseau, Rocheteau, Ferreri, Bellone, Amisse, Giresse and Tigana were either injured or unavailable.

Hidalgo had no choice but to call-up uncapped players and or recall others (mostly from the Olympics squad).

Uncapped players: Phillpe Jeannol, Jean-Christophe Thouvenel, Jean-Claude Lemoult and Phillipe Vercruysse were called up, while striker Gerard Soler and Bernard Zenier earned a recall.

Hidalgo said in an interview that he had even contemplated recalling Dominique Bathenay.

In a 4-4-2 formation, Battiston was installed as the Libero with Le Roux as his central partner. Amoros retained his spot at the back, with Thouvenel making his debut as right back.

Lemoult would start in midfield partnering his PSG teammate Fernandez. Lemoult was on the defensive midfielder on the right side assigned to counter Frankie Vercauteren’s surges.

The Belgians themselves were missing goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff and Jan Ceulemans.

In the match, the French were generally better despite the eventual tie score.

France scored through Didier Six after eleven minutes. Just a minute later, Voordeckers leveled the score.

After the match Hidalgo felt that despite the absences the squad maintained its mentality and he was satisfied of that.

He also said Toure and Le Roux had once again confirmed the premise shown in the previous match vs. Yugoslavia.

As far as the newcomers, Thouvenel did not seize his opportunity and struggled against Voordeckers.

He would not play again under Hidalgo and would go back to the Olympics squad.

Gerard Soler played his last match for France as well and was out of reckoning afterwards.

Vercruysse and Zenier would likewise not return to the squad, same as the unused defender Phillipe Jeannol.

Yannick Stopyra also played his last match under Hidalgo. He would be called up a few times in the following season but would not play.

This also turned out to be the final appearance for Jean-Pierre Tempet, who appeared to have been Hidalgo’s choice as the starting goalkeeper at this point.

The season came to a close and it was time to analyze the 35 players tested that season.

The goalkeeping position was still up for grabs. In defense, Amoros and Battiston were set to be the outside back positions. Le Roux had broken through the squad and imposed himself as the Stopper.

Bossis appeared to have the edge as Libero and it remained to be seen how Tresor would be handled in the season given his status.

The midfield was the strongest element of the squad, with Platini, Giresse, Tigana and now Fernandez, with Genghini and Ferreri as alternatives.

Ferreri had been one of the revelations of the season, but was still not experienced enough to dislodge the quartet, but was a hope for the upcoming years.

It was upfront that France had many uncertainties, as no center forward had established himself.

Hidalgo felt the left wing was covered with Bellone, Six and Amisse as options, but the right wing was problematic. He believed Ferreri might be able to occupy that role, as well as Daniel Bravo or even Alain Couriol.

There were some positives aspects to the season. The team appeared to have been progressing since the World Cup. There had won matches away from home.

The injection of youth (Ferreri, Fernandez, Le Roux, Toure) was praised all around.

The unavailability of Platini for some matches (now that he had joined Juventus) was a cause for concern, but his time in Italy had made him an even better player and he was about to win his first Ballon d’Or.

He managed to play in 3 out of 7 matches, but Hidalgo was insistent that he was desperately needed.

Hidalgo stated that this first season was mostly for experimentation and to maintain the World Cup mentality.

He expressed that in the upcoming Fall, the real hard work would begin to prepare for the Finals.

Date: May 31, 1983

Competition: Friendly (Luxemburg Federation-75^th Anniversary)

Venue: Luxembourg -Stade Municipal de Luxembourg, Luxemburg

Attendance: 5,880

France 1-Belgium 1 (Didier Six 11 / Eddy Voordeckers 12)

France: Jean-Pierre Tempet, Jean-Christophe Thouvenel, Yvon Le Roux, Patrick Battiston, Manuel Amoros, Jean-Claude Lemoult, José Touré, Luis Fernandez, Bernard Genghini (Phillipe Vercruysse 86^th), Gerard Soler (Yannick Stopyra 64^th), Didier Six (Bernard Zenier 64^th)

Note:

1-In Bold, new caps.