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
No comments:
Post a Comment