Preparations of a Host (or Defending Champion)-Part One (France 1982/84)-Part c (Fall 1983)

III. 1983/84 season (Fall1983)

Preparatory Friendly match (Unofficial)-CA Penarol Montevideo (August 24, 1983, Toulouse)

France’s new season that would culminate with the Euros started in August with the traditional Gala Match for U.N.F.P.

In contrast to the previous season, where France had played a National Team (Poland), they chose to revert to the tradition of playing club sides in an unofficial capacity and this time away from Paris at Toulouse.

It was reported that Hidalgo had originally wanted Mexico, but there were scheduling conflicts.

The chosen opponent were Uruguayan side Peñarol Montevideo, the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup defending Champions.

Just like he had stressed after the match vs. Belgium, Hidalgo insisted that the experimentation phase was over and there would be few newcomers from that point on.

He did however; include one newcomer that would have a profound effect. For the goalkeeper position, he opted for Joel Bats of Auxerre.

He was the fourth man to be tried since the World Cup (Ettori, Castaneda, Tempet).

During the offseason many of Hidalgo’s Internationals had changed clubs. Le Roux, Genghini and Daniel Bravo had joined AS Monaco, while Battiston and Tusseau had joined Bordeaux.

Yannick Stopyra felt that leaving the comfort of Sochaux and joining Rennes would be a good challenge for his prospects.

Once again Platini would be absent due to Coppa Italia commitments with Juventus. Marius Tresor would once again be absent as well.

Bats started in goal, Hidalgo stuck with his set defensive formation of Amoros, Battiston as outside backs and Bossis and Le Roux in the center of defense.

Alain Giresse, Tigana and Fernandez took their customary spots with Ferreri deputizing for Platini.

Hidalgo chose to experiment with Daniel Bravo in an unaccustomed position as the number nine.

Ferreri scored France’s winner right at the start of the match. France dominated the match but were guilty of losing too many balls.

Bravo, in particular, missed many chances and the experiment of using him, as the center forward clearly did not work.

Bats in his (unofficial) debut had little work to do. He stopped three shots in the entire match (the first in the 55^th minute).

It had not been a vintage performance by France, but it was an improvement from the previous year’s debacle.

Date: August 24, 1983

Competition: Friendly (Gala Match for U.N.F.P.)

Venue: Toulouse-Stadium Municipal

Attendance: 10,438

France 1- Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 0 (Jean-Marc Ferreri 1)

France: Joel Bats, Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse (Dominique Rocheteau 63^rd), Luis Fernandez, Jean-Marc Ferreri, Jean Tigana, Daniel Bravo, Bruno Bellone

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1951, August 30, 1983

(August 24, 1983, France 1- CA Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1951, August 30, 1983

(Jean-Marc Ferreri and Daniel Bravo, August 24, 1983, France 1- CA Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1951, August 30, 1983

(August 24, 1983, France 1- CA Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 42, September 1983

(August 24, 1983, France 1- CA Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 0)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 8-Denmark (September 7, 1983, Copenhagen)

France’s first official friendly of this important season was against Denmark at Copenhagen. A year ago a match against Denmark would not have appeared a daunting task, but they had improved to such an extent that they were on verge of qualifying for the Finals of the Euros at the expense of England. It was the greatest Danish team in History led by the veteran Allan Simonsen that would be known as ‘Danish Dynamite’ in the coming years.

England Manager Bobby Robson would be in the stands to observe his opponents that he would face in a couple of weeks (Denmark would win 1-0 at Wembley).

The Danes were missing a couple of regulars for this match. Jesper Olsen was out, along with the Anderlecht duo of Morten Olsen and Frank Arnesen.

For France, Platini was back for the first time since the previous March (vs. USSR 1-1).

Tresor was once again unavailable as was Thierry Tusseau.

Bruno Bellone and Jean-Marc Ferreri were retained with the Under-21 squad for their qualifier vs. Sweden.

Joel Bats made his Official debut for France in the goal. Hidalgo stuck with Amoros, Battiston (as right back this time), Le Roux and Bossis in defense.

Hidalgo was unable to select his ‘Carré Magique’ as Tigana was out through illness. Therefore Bernard Genghini was selected to partner Platini, Giresse and Fernandez in midfield.

In a 4-4-2 formation with no wingers, Bravo and Rocheteau were upfront.

This match would turn out to be a wake up call for France, who until then had appeared to be in a very good position to win the Euros after impressing in the previous friendlies.

Young Danish sensation Michael Laudrup gave the hosts the lead in the 20th minute, before Platini tied the match minutes later (26th minute).

For the second half, Simonsen was moved to the right side and was instrumental in Denmark’s go ahead goal in the 59th minute from Keneth Brylle (though the goal was clearly offiside).

Michael Laudrup killed off the game with Denmark’s third (75th minute).

France were generally good in midfield but poor in defense.

Platini stated, “ it’s a match that we could have won but we lost “.

The Bossis-Le Roux central defensive partnership was put to the test like never before. Hidalgo even hinted that Tresor should return in which case Bossis could play stopper.

Bossis responded that they should look at his whole history with the National Team and not just one match to make a judgement. He added that he respected Tresor, but that even Tresor himself had played bad matches with France in the past.

Hidalgo criticized Le Roux as well for going a lot to the wing to cover.

In all Hidalgo described the match as “good lesson… ideal to face the future“.

The striker position was still troublesome and Hidalgo stated, “if I had a great striker I would call up immeditaely“.

Bravo had struggled once more as striker, but Hidalgo admitted that he was playing out of position from his club and added that Bravo was there to learn.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 45, December 1983

(Jean-Marc Ferreri and Daniel Bravo)

This would be France’s last defeat in an International match until May 2^nd, 1985 when they lost (0-2) to Bulgaria in Sofia in a World Cup qualifier.

Despite letting in three goals, Hidalgo had found in Bats the goalkeeper he was looking for and he was to be France’s starting goalkeeper into the end of the decade.

Though he did not play, this would be the last time that Amisse was called up and he would disappear from contention.

Date: September 7, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Copenhagen -Idrætsparken

Attendance: 17,500

Denmark 3-France 1 (Michael Laudrup 20, 75, Kenneth Brylle 59          / Michel Platini 26)

France: Joel Bats, Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini, Bernard Genghini, Daniel Bravo, Dominique Rocheteau

Note:

1-In Bold, new caps.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(Team captains Allan Simonsen and Michel Platini, September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984

(Patrick Battiston, September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

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

(September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1953, September 13, 1983

(September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984

(September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 43, October 1983

(September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 43, October 1983

(September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

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

(Dominique Rocheteau, September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984

(Bernard Genghini, September 7, 1983, Denmark 3-France 1)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 9-Spain (October 5, 1983, Paris)

France’s next friendly vs. Spain in Paris, would forever be remembered as the match where Marius Tresor broke Roger Marche’s appearance record by earning his 64^th cap. He captained the side for this momentous occasion.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1956, October 4, 1983

(A cartoon showing Marius Tresor about to break Roger Marche’s appearance record, Marche was known as 'Sanglier des Ardennes' (The Boar of the Ardenens))

As always injuries forced Hidalgo to make modifications.

Yvon Le Roux was the lone regular in defense partnering Tresor. Amoros, Bossis, Battiston, Tusseau, Thouvenel were all injured or unavailable.

Hidalgo was forced to call up uncapped Nantes pair of William Ayache and Michel Bibard, as well as St Etienne’s uncapped defender Jean-Louis Zanon.

Many believed Bossis had made himself unavailable becuase he wanted to play as Libero and with Tresor that would not be possible. Hidalgo denied this claim.

In addition, Giresse, Bravo and Toure were also unavailable. Genghini was called up in haste to cover the withdrawals in midfield. Jean-Claude Lemoult also received a rare call-up perhaps as a result.

Alain Couriol received a recall after almost a year away.

France played a 4-4-2 formation. The defense was inexperienced save Tresor.

Ayache and Zanon were earning their first caps; Le Roux was only earning his third, while Joel Bats in the net was also playing in his second Official match.

Paris St Germain pair Fernandez and Lemoult were the two defensive midfielders with Platini in the center and Ferreri on the right wing.

Rocheteau and Bellone were upfront.

This was match was played shortly after Spain and Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea had severely injured Diego Maradona in League play.

His participation had been criticized as a result. The player nicknamed “the butcher of Bilbao” was suspended in the League but not from the National Team.

There were fears that Spain would be overly physical, but these fears turned out to be unjustified.

France would take the lead in the 60^th minute through Rocheteau. It seemed France were headed for a victory when in the 83^rd minute, Bats fouled Juan Señor in the box. Señor himself scored from the spot.

As far as the French Press, the team had played badly except for Rocheteau. Hidalgo disagreed; his only regret was in not winning. He praised his players’ engagement in the match.

He said, “I find the Press excessively severe. I personally saw an intense match due to its tension and engagement”.

Some also criticized him for offering a “gift’ to the 34 year old Tresor in selecting in his record breaking match.

Due to the key absences it would be to hard to assess France’s performance. Incidentally, Spain would also be their opponent in the Final match of the Euros in the summer (….that is another story).

Alain Couriol came on in the last five minutes and played his last ever match for France as he also disappeared from contention.

Likewise, Tempet was called up for the last time and would not be recalled again. Hidalgo appeared satisfied with his starter (Bats), but would have to search for suitable backup in the net.

Lemoult and Ayache played their last matches under Hidalgo and were left at the disposal of the Olympics squad, along with the non-playing substitute Bibard.

Date: October 5, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 36,628

France 1-Spain 1 (Dominique Rocheteau 60 / Juan Señor 83 pen)

France: Joel Bats, William Ayache, Yvon Le Roux, Marius Tresor, Jean-Louis Zanon, Jean-Marc Ferreri, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini (Bernard Genghini 75^th), Jean-Claude Lemoult, Dominique Rocheteau, Bruno Bellone (Alain Couriol 85^th)

Note:

1-In Bold, new caps.

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984

(Team Captains Marius Tresor and Luis Arconada, October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1957, October 11, 1983

(October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1957, October 11, 1983

(October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 95, November 1983

(Michel Platini, October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984

(Francisco Carrasco and Marius Tresor, October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 44, November 1983

(Bruno Bellone, October 5, 1983, France 1-Spain 1)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 10-Yugoslavia (November 12, 1983, Zagreb)

France’s last friendly of 1983 was against Yugoslavia at Zagreb, the opponent they had handily defeated back in April in Paris.

This would of course be a different type of encounter as the match was on away soil and the Yugoslavian squad would be stronger and more experienced as they were in their final phase of qualifying for the Euros in their Group.

Platini was injured and not released by Juventus, but Hidalgo did have Giresse back along with Tigana and Fernandez. Daniel Bravo was drafted to be in the midfield to make up the numbers as a false right wing, while Giresse took up the organizing duties. Tigana was tasked with marking Safet Susic.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983

(A cartoon showing Paris St. Germain President Francis Borelli picking his players Safet Susic and Luis Fernandez from the airport,November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

In a 4-4-2 formation, Marius Tresor was back as Libero once more (for the last time) with Le Roux as his partner in the center. This meant that Bossis would play as a right back for this match with Amoros on the opposite side. Bossis had been playing as Libero for club and country for eighteen months.

Upfront Bellone and Rocheteau were once again selected like the match.

Hidalgo had recalled RC Lens’ Daniel Xuereb after many years away after his success with the Olympics squad (He would make an appearance in the second half). His Lens teammate Phillipe Vercruysse was also called up.

France were better in the first half but could not break through a stiff defense. The match ended scoreless and perhaps the main satisfaction was the performance of the defense. Hidalgo expressed as much and praised the fact that they had kept a clean sheet away from home.

Hidalgo had specially drilled into his defenders to hold onto the result.

France had chances but could not take advantage as its strikers failed once more. Hidalgo would excuse this by saying that most of the French strikers have been injured recently, which had affected their form.

There was clamor to recall Bordeaux’s Bernard Lacombe, since most strikers were unable to impose themselves in the position.

This would be Marius Tresor’s 65^th and last match for France, as Hidalgo would decide that Bossis was a better option at Libero than the ageing Tresor.

Marius Tresor would retire from the game at the end of that season. This was also the last time that Jean-Luc Ettori was called up by Hidalgo.

Daniel Xuereb would also not be recalled again by Hidalgo, as he would stay with the Olympics squad.

Date: November 12, 1983

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Zagreb - Stadion Maksimir

Attendance: 15,000

Yugoslavia 0-France 0

France: Joel Bats, Maxime Bossis, Yvon Le Roux, Marius Tresor, Manuel Amoros, Daniel Bravo, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez, Dominique Rocheteau (Jean-Marc Ferreri 46^th), Bruno Bellone (Daniel Xuereb 63^rd)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984

(Jean Tigana, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 45, December 1983

(Zoran Vujovic and Alain Giresse, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 45, December 1983

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

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

(Yugoslavia squad, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984

(Daniel Xuereb, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(Luis Fernandez and Safet Susic, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

At end of year, the squad spent 12 days altitude training at Font-Romeu with wives and children present to get the players to bond.

Paris St Germaoin defender Jean-Marc Pilorget was invited to this gathering as a future prospect, but would be the victim of a car accidnet around Christmas  and would be out for nearly two seaons with his International future over.

Other surprise invitees included Rene Girard (not selected since the World Cup), as well as his Bordeaux teammate Bernard Lacombe.

The 19 players invited:

Goalkeepers:

Joel Bats (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise)

Jean-Luc Ettori (Association Sportive de Monaco)     

Jean-Pierre Tempet (Racing Club de Lens)

Defenders:

Manuel Amoros (Association Sportive de Monaco)

Patrick Battiston (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Maxime Bossis (Football Club de Nantes)

Yvon Le Roux (Association Sportive de Monaco)

Midfielders:

Jean Tigana (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club) 

Alain Giresse (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club) 

Luis Fernandez (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club)

Jean-Marc Ferreri (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise)

Bernard Genghini (Association Sportive de Monaco)

Rene Girard (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Strikers:

Jose Toure (Football Club de Nantes)

Dominique Rocheteau (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club)

Bruno Bellone (Association Sportive de Monaco)  

Daniel Bravo (Association Sportive de Monaco) 

Bernard Lacombe (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Yannick Stopyra (Stade Rennais Football Club)