Soccer Nostalgia: Tournaments-Part 10- 1997 Tournoi de France-Part 2 (Second Round of Matches-June 7-8, 1997)

On June 7^th at Montpellier’s Stade de La Mosson, France hosted England for the second round of matches.

Jacquet proceeded to make eight changes from the first match. Only Barthez, Blanc and Deschamps kept their places.

Jacquet reshuffled his squad due to fatigue and experimentation needs and deployed a 4-4-2 formation.

Thuram, N’Gotty and Pierre Laigle were called up in defense replacing Candela, Desailly and Lizarazu.

Vieira and Djorkaeff came in to replace Karembeu and Zidane. Jacquet deployed Djorkaeff in the Zidane role as the midfield organizer just behind the two strikers.

Up front Keller (as a false left wing), Ouedec and Dugarry came in for Ba, Maurice and Pires.

Glenn Hoddle also rested players and only five players from the first match kept their places (Southgate, Phil Neville, Beckham, Le Saux, Wright).

David Seaman started in goal for England (replacing Tim Flowers). In defense, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville started ahead of Keown and Pearce.

In midfield, Gascoigne and Batty started ahead of Scholes and Ince.

Up front, England Captain Alan Shearer made his debut in the Tournament replacing Sheringham.

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

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 112, May 1998

(England squad, June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

It was a match where both sides had opportunities with both goalkeepers Seaman and Barthez saving their side on numerous occasions.

France still struggled in the striking positions with Ouedec being just as ineffective as Maurice from the previous match, though Dugarry was adequate.

Patrice Loko’s entrance as a replacement from fellow striker Ouedec made no difference.

This would be the last cap ever for both Ouedec and Loko.

Djorkaeff struggled in his new role and lost too many balls and rarely distributed passes to Ouedec and Dugarry.

Jacquet would later blame fatigue for Djorkaeff’s inability to adapt to the role.

Zidane’s entrance in the last quarter hour pleased Djorkaeff, who later credited his entry for bringing more fluidity to the side.

He went on to say that he functioned better with Zidane at his side, as they both know each other’s movements.

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

For the English Gascoigne was a major disappointment as he was still struggling with injuries. He lost possession too many times during the match.

David Batty also struggled for the English and was equally disappointing. He would be replaced in the second half by Ince.

In the end it was a mistake, near the end, by the nearly faultless Fabien Barthez that gifted England’s winner. He failed to hold onto late substitute Sheringham’s low cross and the opportunistic Shearer knocked in the loose ball from close range.

France lost for the first time at home since that fateful World Cup qualifier vs. Bulgaria on November 17, 1993.

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes

(Alan Shearer celebrating, June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

After the match, Didier Deschamps believed France’s strength was still its defensive strength. He believed it was good to find a solution in the offensive part and be more spectacular but France must not lose its defensive solidity in the process.

The consensus from most observers after the match was that Djorkaeff was more useful up front rather than in the Zidane role.

Jacquet was fully aware that the veterans did not like fiddling with the squad and wanted a more settled side.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

He defended his tactics by saying, “I wanted to look at a variation I had been able to try only once before and for which I will have very few further opportunities. What’s important is that the team is ready for next year, not this year. We are still evolving”.

He believed the tactics employed could have worked with fully fit and rested players and lamented and wished he had had at least 10 days to prepare the side.

Hoddle would describe his captain Shearer as a ‘diamond’ on the field. He insisted his goal was not due to luck but it was the striker’s insistence on scoring that mattered.

He also expressed relief that Zidane-Djorkaeff combination was on the field for a very short time.

Hoddle stressed how they had been ranked as outsiders, but were now in the best position to win the Tournament. Furthermore, he stated that they did not have to prove anything to anyone; they had simply come to find pleasure and build a positive state of mind for their future endeavors.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2671, June 17, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2671 bis, June 20, 1997

(June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997

(Tactical Formations of the two teams, June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)

On the following day on June 8^th at Lyon’s Stade Gerland, Brazil took on Italy in a replay of the 1994 World Cup Final.

This match would not only go down as the best match of this Tournament, but also as a classic in the history of the game and is often referenced.

The seesaw aspect of this match only enhanced its status.

Brazil only made one change form its match vs. France. Teenage sensation Denilson started ahead of Giovanni.

Once again Italy’s Cesare Maldini had opted for a 4-4-2 formation.

He made six changes from his previous lineup. Gianluca Pagliuca started in goal ahead of Peruzzi.

In defense, Captain Paolo Maldini was back in the side along with Christian Panucci, as Ferrara and Bennarivo made way.

Attilio Lombardo came in Di Livio, while the young strike force of Christian Vieri and Alessandro Del Piero replaced Zola and Casiraghi.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997

(Brazil and Italy squads, June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

In fact, it was the two youngsters who combined for Italy’s opening goal in the eighth minute. On the right side, Vieri turned and crossed into the box for Del Piero to head past Taffarel.

Italy were more enterprising in the early going and soon doubled their lead in the 23^rd minute, when a quick free kick by Albertini was deflected past Taffarel by Aldair.

At this point Brazil seemed in disarray, but gradually clawed their way back. In the 35^th minute, Brazil reduced the deficit, when Lombardo deflected Roberto Carlos’ low shot into his own net.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 107, December1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 113, June 1998

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 113, June 1998

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Early in the second half, Cesare Maldini sent on Fillipo Inzaghi in place of Vieri, The Serie A Capocannoniere soon made his presence felt, when he drew a foul in the box from Aldair. Del Piero scored from the spot to restore Italy’s two-goal cushion.

Zagallo would replace Mauro Silva with Flavio Conceição at this point.

Just as it seemed Brazil were finished, the Ro-Ro combination would spring to life to make this match a memorable one.

In the 72^nd minute, Ronaldo grabbed a pass in a narrow space in the box and somehow managed to go around Costacurta and shoot past Pagliuca.

There were minutes remaining, when Ronaldo fed the ball to the onrushing Romario who scored the equalizer for an emphatic (3-3) score.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Brazil had unearthed a new star in Denilson, though their defensive frailties were exposed (that would continue until the World Cup itself). Taffarel, Cafu and Aldair had a disappointing match, while Flavio Conceição was now threatening Mauro Silva for his position.

For the Italians, Del Piero had been the pick of the bunch, but in general the entire squad had received a morale boost after their dismal performance vs. England.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

After the match everyone who witnessed it was wax-lyrical about it.

Sepp Baltter said, “That was a truly memorable game. It was a wonderful advert for Football and showed just what footballers can achieve when, in a Tournament such as this, they can play without the usual tactical restraints.”

Cesare Maldini concurred, “This was a beautiful match, my players gave everything and I must say that Brazil appeared to have another great side in the making.” He added, “We witnessed the best match of ‘Le Tournoi’ due to the quality of high number of individuals and constant changes in rhythm of the two teams. Some observers are perhaps surprised by our performance but not me.”

He once again reminded how tired his players were against England and in between these matches he had to recharge the batteries of some of the players.

He compared Italy to Germany, saying they can be criticized and derided but always respond when the time comes.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Marco Tardelli, Italy’s Assistant Manager praised the Italian players, he said, “They showed enormous respect for the National Team Jersey. A jersey that transcended them to the point of making them play a match of anthology vs. Brazil”

Zagallo also praised both sides, “It was a spectacular match. Six goals speaks for itself. We also hit the post and the bar we had to come back from two goals down. These are two teams who will both do well at the World Cup next year.”

He added, “I think we offered a magnificent spectacle, of great beauty. When two big football Nations face one another, it is not rare that the qualities are present. My players tried to get back to the score and win and I understand their enthusiastic reactions at end of match….this is the first match of this level since the beginning of the ‘Tournoi’. No doubt Brazil and Italy will play major roles in the 1998 World Cup. As far as us, we still have not reached our full potential.”

Photo From: L’Equipe Magazine, May 9, 1998

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes

(June 8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)

Brazilin Journalist Oldemario Touginho (Jornal do Brasil) wrote, “When Brazil reaches this level of play, I tell myself that the Seleção is eternal…It’s been a long time that we had not felt such intensity, such emotion in front of such a spectacle”

Former Brazilian great and Manager, Paulo Roberto Falcao, working for Rede Globo stated, “Especially in the second half, in these 45 minutes my compatriots played at a level that I found remarkable. I really appreciated their reaction and the manner that they employed to get back the score against an Italian side that also surprised me”.

Falcao played down the comparison with the 1982 match, he said, “That is not comparable, the 1982 match had another dimension, here it was a friendly Tournament. The teams were prestigious but there wasn’t the pressure that is present in a World Cup”, he added, “Brazil must attack, but that does not depend on only its strikers, last week (vs. France) in the second half we found the ideal balance. And when the team reaches this level, I do not know if there are many teams that are at its level”.