Thursday, March 1, 2018

Preparations of a Host (or Defending Champion)-Part One (France 1982/84)-Part d (Spring 1984)

IV. 1983/84 season (Spring 1984)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 11-England (February 29, 1984, Paris)

The Euros were fast approaching and only months away. The preparation was now entering its final phase. The first friendly of the year was a high profile one against England, who surprisingly had failed to qualify for the Euros. Despite assurances to the contrary, many in the French squad must have been thinking of gaining revenge foe the loss in the 1982 World Cup.
Hidalgo presented his strongest squad to date that potentially would have started the Euros.
Bats was in goal with the set defensive four of Amoros, Bossis, Le Roux and Battiston (right back).
Bossis was back as Libero as Tresor was out of contention. Hidalgo recalled Toulouse goalkeeper Phillipe Bergeroo as back-up.
The Carré Magique’ played for the first time ever together. Platini, the newly elected Ballon d’Or, was at the summit of his game at this point. For the first time all four (Platini, Giresse, Tigana and Fernandez) were available.
Hidalgo decided to experiment by trying out Jose Toure as center forward.
Even though Toure was nominally a midfielder, he accepted the challnege as he wanted to particpate in Euros.
France coud not break through in first half and struggled as the English were physically better in the early going.
This match would also be marred with crowd trouble in the stands from British Hooligans (a precurosr of the horror to come at Heysel the following year).
France raised up their game in the second half and took the lead in the 58th minute when Platini headed in Giresse’s long cross.
In the 72nd, Tusseau replaced the right back Battiston. Amoros switched sides and picked up Battiston’s spot, while Tusseau moved to the left back position.
Just two minutes later, Platini scored France’s second by curling in a free kick to Shilton’s right side.
On this free kick, Peter Shilton later said that he was convinced Platini would have shot on his left side and was utterly surprised that he struck to his right.
Hidalgo was overall satisfied with the performance. Le Roux and Bossis had been very good in central defense. Toure had done well enough in his unaccustomed position of striker.
Platini had been exccellent in the best form of his career. Platini said, I do not feel that I am specially in form at the moment but it seems all I have to do is to take a shot to score“.
Unfortunately, the experiment of Toure as striker would be all for naught as he would be injured shortly thereafter and miss the Euros.
This would also be Platini’s last match in the season for France as he was busy with club committments for Juventus. He would return when the Final selection process had been made.
Yannick Stopyra was called up for the last time under Hidalgo and he was out of contention for the Euros following a poor season with Rennes that would end in relegation. Thierry Tusseau would not make any more appearances though he would make the Finals squad.


Date: February 29, 1984
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes
Attendance: 43,000
France 2-England 0 (Michel Platini 58,74)
France: Joel Bats, Patrick Battiston (Thierry Tusseau 72nd), Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini, José Touré, Bruno Bellone (Dominique Rocheteau 83rd)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
(February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1978, March 6, 1984
(February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)


Photo From: France Football, Issue 1978, March 6, 1984
(February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)


Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)


Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Michel Platini and Bruno Bellone, February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984
(Jose Toure, February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984
(February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
(Michel Platini scoring from a free kick, February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(Peter Shilton unable to stop Platini’s free kick, February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(France squad, February 29, 1984, France 2-England 0)


Preparatory Friendly match Number 12-Austria (March 28, 1984, Bordeaux)

France’s next friendly was vs. Austria in Bordeaux. Platini as expected was to be missing. Alain Giresse would captain France in his home base especially for the occasion.
Hidalgo, dissatisfied with his striker options, decided to recall the Bordeaux veteran Bernard Lacombe, who had last played for France against the same opponent during the 1982 World Cup. Despite his advancing age, Lacombe was still knocking in goals for Bordeaux and had just broken the record as the French striker with the most goals in the History of the French League.
Another newcomer was the uncapped defender from Toulouse, Jean-François Domergue. Not many would have tipped him to make the squad, but they would know of him before the end of the Euros for sure.
Hidalgo also recalled Didier Six for the first time that season. He was playing in the French Second Division at Mulouse at the time, which may have damaged his National Team prospects. However, some fine performances especially in the French Cup, where Mulhouse eliminated Bordeaux had made Hidalgo take notice.
Another Bordeaux player, Rene Girard was also surprisingly recalled for this match. Though he would remain on the bench and would not be called up afterwards either.
Before the match, Hidalgo was concerned how France still had not found their form of the second round of the World Cup.
Hidalgo started with his tried and set defensive base: Bats, Amoros, Bossis, Le Roux and Battiston.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
(Defenders Manuel Amoros, Thierry Tusseau, Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis)


In midfield, Giresse, Tigana and Fernandez took their natural spot. Genghini was drafted in to replace the absent Platini.
Toure’s injury had paved the way to select Lacombe partnering Bellone upfront.
The match turned out to be a dour affair, as the Austrians played ultra-defensively.


Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
(Midfielders Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Luis Fernandez, Bernard Genghini)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
(Strikers Yannick Stopyra, Dominique Rocheteau, Jose Toure, Bruno Bellone)


Bellone scored a goal in the 12th minute, which was disallowed. France broke the deadlock near the end, when Rocheteau having come on as a substitute headed in France’s winner.
Phillipe Bergeroo would also make a substitute appearance replacing Bats.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
(Goalkeepers Phillipe Bergeroo and Joel Bats)


The home crowd booed Didier Six, most likely because his club Mulhouse had recently eliminated Bordeaux from the French Cup.
Hidalgo lamented Austria’s tactics, but believed that their choices should be respected and it is up to France to adapt to conditions of matches.
Giresse refused to criticize Austria’s methods. He believed that most adversaries in the Euros were likely to play the same way as France were favorites.
As a result, Giresse felt “we could not have received a better test.”


Date: March 28, 1984
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Bordeaux-Stade Velodrome
Attendance: 23,000
France 1-Austria 0 (Dominique Rocheteau 84)
France: Joel Bats (Phillipe Bergeroo 62nd), Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Luis Fernandez, Bernard Genghini, Bernard Lacombe (Dominique Rocheteau 51st), Bruno Bellone (15-Didier Six 65th)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984
(March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)


Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(France squad, March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(Dominique Rocheteau scoring with a header, March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984
(March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1982, April 3, 1984
(March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1982, April 3, 1984
(March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0)


Preparatory Friendly match Number 13-West Germany (April 18, 1984, Strasbourg)

France faced its sternest test to date by facing West Germany in Strasbourg just two months before the Euros.
Needless to say, the World Cup semifinal and the injustice of the Battiston-Schuamcher incident was on everyone’s mind. In interviews French players such as Six, Battiston and Bossis insisted this was not a revenge match since two years have passed, different context, etc.
Bossis considered West Germany as a test team. He believed such a match would “show where we really stand.”
Juventus did not release Platini and Hidalgo had to contend with other withdrawals. Alain Giresse, Tigana, Girard, Lacombe, Tusseau were all injured or unavailable, while Toure had already been written off for the Euros due to his injury.
Sochaux striker Phillipe Anziani was recalled for his first match for France since facing Brazil in 1981.
Phillipe Vercruysse was also recalled though his chances appeared slim as far as the Finals squad.
Hidalgo decided on a 4-3-3 formation with the defensive set-up left intact. The midfield consisted of Luis Fernandez and the duo of Bravo and Genghini acting as organizers.
Jean-Marc Ferreri was supposed to have started the match, however, he was a substitute as he was ill with fever.
France introduced their new jerseys that they would wear in the Euros. The team played well with Bravo impressing in midfield.
Schumacher was booed in the pre-game warm-ups and during the match itself as not many had forgotten the Battiston incident in the World Cup.
Maxime Bossis only played in the first half, as his club Nantes had a match against Metz the following day. He was repalced by the debutant Domergue.
Battiston took Bossis’ Libero position, Amoros moved to the right back position in Battiston’s old spot and Domergue went on the left back position.
Hidalgo would later jokingly state, be careful Max, at your age, if you leave your position, you are not certain to get it back“.
Genghini would score France’s winner with just ever ten minutes remaining by volleying from close range.
While Domergue earned points to make the Finals squad, Anziani was not recalled again by Hidalgo and was out of contention, as was Phillipe Vercruysse also not recalled afterwards.
Franz Beckanbauer would say afterwards “in this form, France are unbeatable”.
Foe more detail, see :


Date: April 18, 1984
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Strasbourg- Stade de la Meinau
Attendance: 39,978
France 1-West Germany 0 (Bernard Genghini 79)
France: Joel Bats, Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis (Jean-François Domergue 46th), Manuel Amoros, Daniel Bravo, Luis Fernandez,  Bernard Genghini, Didier Six, Dominique Rocheteau (Phillipe Anziani 68th), Bruno Bellone (Jean-Marc Ferreri 84th)
Note:
1-In Bold, new caps.


Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Daniel Bravo, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
(Didier Six, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984
(Bernard Genghini, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984
(Daniel Bravo, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)


Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
(April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
(Bernard Genghini, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)


Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1984
(Bernard Genghini scoring, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(Bernard Genghini scoring, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1984
(Bernard Genghini celebrating after scoring, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)


Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984
(April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)


Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984
(April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(France squad, April 18, 1984, France 1-West Germany 0)


The Finals squad


On May 7th, 1984, Michel Hidalgo announced his list of 20 players for the Euros.
The main novelty in his selection was the call-up of previously uncapped Albert Rust as the Third goalkeeper. Rust was the starting goalkeeper of the Olympics squad.
Incidentally, Albert Rust would the only player to have been in the UEFA European Championship and Olympic wining squads in that summer of 1984.
In some sources, there was a proposed match vs. Republic of Ireland (for May 9th) that was called off.
The Final phase of the preparations was set at Font-Romeu.
Like most experts, Hidalgo felt France were favorites to triumph in the Euros.
He stated, “our greatest victory has been to lift ourselves up after the tragedy of Seville” (World Cup 1982 semifinal penalty kick loss to West Germany)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984
(Michel Hidalgo)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984
(France’s new kit along with training gear)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984
(France’s 1984 Euro Finals squad in training)


France Finals squad:
Goalkeepers:
1-Joel Bats (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise)
19-Phillipe Bergeroo (Toulouse Football Club)
20-Albert Rust (Football Club de Sochaux-Montbéliard)

Defenders:
2-Manuel Amoros (Association Sportive de Monaco)
3- Jean-François Domergue (Toulouse Football Club) 
4-Maxime Bossis (Football Club de Nantes)
5-Patrick Battiston (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)
15-Yvon Le Roux (Association Sportive de Monaco)     
18-Thierry Tusseau (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Midfielders:
6-Luis Fernandez (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club)
7-Jean-Marc Ferreri (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise)
9-Bernard Genghini (Association Sportive de Monaco)
10-Michel Platini (captain) (Juventus Football Club-Torino / Italy)
12-Alain Giresse (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)
14-Jean Tigana (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Strikers:
8-Daniel Bravo (Association Sportive de Monaco
11-Bruno Bellone (Association Sportive de Monaco)
13-Didier Six (Football Club de Mulhouse)
16-Dominique Rocheteau (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club)
17-Bernard Lacombe (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club)

Coach: Michel Hidalgo


Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
(France’s 1984 Euro Finals squad)


Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 18, 1984
(France’s 1984 Euro Finals squad)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984
(France’s 1984 Euro Finals squad)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984
(France’s 1984 Euro Finals squad)
Top : Left to right : Amoros, Domergue,Tigana, Battiston, Bellone,Tusseau,Ferreri, Bravo
Middle Row : left to right : Rust, Genghini, Le Roux,Bergeroo, Bossis,Fernandez, Bats
Seated : elft to right : Giresse, Lacombe, Rocheteau, Hidalgo, Six , Platini


Preparatory Friendly match (Un-Official)-Andorra FC (May 26, 1984, Andorra)


Date: May 26, 1984
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial)
Venue: Andorra
Attendance: 400
FC Andorra (Andorra) 0-France 9 (Yvon Le Roux 12, 67, Alain Giresse 33, Bruno Bellone 40, Dominique Rocheteau 47, 70, Didier Six 61, Daniel Bravo 69, Jean-Marc Ferreri 82

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1990, May 29, 1984
(May 26, 1984, FC Andorra (Andorra) 0-France 9)

Preparatory Friendly match (Un-Official)-Andorra FC (May 29, 1984, Andorra)


Date: May 29, 1984
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial)
Venue: Andorra
FC Andorra (Andorra) 1-France 5 (??? / Daniel Bravo 2 goals), Michel Platini, Manuel Amoros, Bernard Genghini)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984
(Domninique Rocheteau, May 29, 1984, FC Andorra (Andorra) 1-France 5)


Preparatory Friendly match Number 14-Scotland (May 30, 1984, Marseille)

After selecting his Finals squad and training, France played two practice friendlies against Andorra in a semi-practice setting.
Their Final preparation match ahead of the Finals was against Scotland. Hidalgo said, “I chose Scotland because there is a mix of styles (British and Scandinavian), ahead of match vs. Denmark”.
He selected his strongest lineup that was to start the Euros with.
The defensive unit had been established for some time: Bats, Amoros, Bossis, Le Roux and Battiston.
Likewise, the midfield was set for quite some time, though it had not played as a unit due to injuries and availability.
The midfield of Platini, Giresse, Tigana and Fernandez has since been recognized as one of the greatest in History.
Upfront lack of options had forced the recall of Lacombe with the young Bellone as partner.
France, playing in a 4-4-2 formation, comfortably won (2-0) this last match with goals by Lacombe and Giresse.
Second half substitute Didier Six was booed once more, this time by the Marseille crowd, for his contentious past with the club  (one of his many previous clubs).
Hidalgo underlined the strength of his defense by pointing out that this was the fifth match that they had kept a clean sheet.

France would go on and triumph in the Euros with Platini in magnificent form. However, it almost came unstuck in the first round.
Hidalgo had spent two years to fashion a defensive unit. However, in the first match vs., Denmark, Le Roux was lost to an injury and Amoros was sent off and suspended for three matches.
Hidalgo was forced to move Fernandez in defense as well as including the untested Domergue, but it worked out in the end and Hidalgo retired after eight years holding the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Date: May 30, 1984
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Marseille- Stade Velodrome
Attendance: 24,641
France 2-Scotland 0 (Alain Giresse 14, Bernard Lacombe 29)
France: Joel Bats, Patrick Battiston, Yvon Le Roux, Maxime Bossis, Manuel Amoros, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Michel Platini, Luis Fernandez (Bernard Genghini 67th), Bernard Lacombe (Daniel Bravo 46th), Bruno Bellone (Didier Six 67th)


Photo From: France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984
(Michel Platini, May 30, 1984, France 2-Scotland 0)


Photo From: France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984
(Bernard Lacombe after scoring, May 30, 1984, France 2-Scotland 0)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Alain Giresse, May 30, 1984, France 2-Scotland 0)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(May 30, 1984, France 2-Scotland 0)


Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 21, 1984
(France squad, May 30, 1984, France 2-Scotland 0)


References:
France Football, Issue 1899, August 31, 1982
France Football, Issue 1900, September 7, 1982
France Football, Issue 1904, October 5, 1982
France Football, Issue 1905, October 12, 1982
France Football, Issue 1909, November 9, 1982
France Football, Issue 1910, November 16, 1982
France Football, Issue 1923, February 15, 1983
France Football, Issue 1924, February 22, 1983
France Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
France Football, Issue 1929, March 29, 1983
France Football, Issue 1932, April 19, 1983
France Football, Issue 1933, April 26, 1983
France Football, Issue 1938, May 31, 1983
France Football, Issue 1939, June 7, 1983
France Football, Issue 1950, August 23, 1983
France Football, Issue 1951, August 30, 1983
France Football, Issue 1952, September 6, 1983
France Football, Issue 1953, September 13, 1983
France Football, Issue 1956, October 4, 1983
France Football, Issue 1957, October 11, 1983
France Football, Issue 1961, November 8, 1983
France Football, Issue 1962, November 15, 1983
France Football, Issue 1977, February 28, 1984
France Football, Issue 1978, March 6, 1984
France Football, Issue 1981, March 27, 1984
France Football, Issue 1982, April 3, 1984
France Football, Issue 1984, April 17, 1984
France Football, Issue 1990, May 29, 1984
France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984
L'Annee du Football, 1983
L'Annee du Football, 1984
L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
Le Livre d’or du Football 1983
Le Livre d’or du Football 1984
L'Equipe de France de Football, L'Integrale des 497 rencontres (1904-1991), Authors J.M.Cazal, Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1992
L'Integrale de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1998
Mondial, new series, issue 32, November 1982
Mondial, new series, issue 33, December 1982
Mondial, new series, issue 42, September 1983
Mondial, new series, issue 43, October1983
Mondial, new series, issue 44, November 1983
Mondial, new series, issue 45, December 1983
Mondial, new series, issue 51, June 1984
Onze, Hors Serie 16, 1983
Onze, Issue 81, September 1982
Onze, Issue 83, November 1982
Onze, Issue 86, February 1983
Onze, Issue 87, March 1983
Onze, Issue 88, April 1983
Onze, Issue 89, May 1983
Onze, Issue 90, June 1983
Onze, Issue 97, January 1984
Onze, Issue 100, April 1984
Onze, Issue 101, May 1984
Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

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