Tournaments-Part 10- 1997 Tournoi de France- Part 3 (Third Round of Matches-June 10-11, 1997)

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

(Alan Shearer, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

The Third and final matchday took place on June 10^th with Brazil facing England at Paris‘ Parc des Princes.

England were unexpectedly in a position where they were already champions irrespective of the other results.

Nevertheless, both teams were eager to end the tournament on a positive note. Amazingly, only England had thus far earned any wins and Brazil had to win as a matter of pride.

England were missing David Beckham who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Hoddle made other changes as well. Martin Keown was back in defense in place of Gary Neville.

In midfield, Scholes and Ince came in for Beckham and Batty.

While in the attack, Sheringham started ahead of Ian Wright.

Brazil’s only change was Flavio Conceição’s inclusion in midfield ahead of Mauro Silva (who was suspended).

England made a positive start and were better in the first half hour.

Brazil lost Denilson to injury as early as the 22^nd minute and was replaced by Djalminha.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 10, July 1998

(Brazil squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

The English themselves lost Keown to injury couple of minutes earlier and Gary Neville replaced him.

Brazil would push through and take the lead in the 61^st minute; Romario slipped the ball past Seaman after he was put through by Leonardo.

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

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Hoddle gambled on the double substitution of Robert Lee and Ian Wright (replacing Scholes and Sheringham) with a quarter an hour left.

Ronaldo had a relatively quiet evening as Brazil held on to the lead for and ended on a high note despite not winning the Tournament and settling for second place.

Brazil now set their sights on the Copa America within a weeks time and Zagallo had a backbone that he could work with for the Copa.

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

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

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

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

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

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

One of the observers, Jamaica Manager, the Brazilian Rene Simoes, praised England afterwards and noticed improvements in their possession game.

England did however struggle in some phases with the likes of Le Saux and the double strike force of Shearer and Sheringham not firing on all cylinders.

Phil Neville remarked the difficulty in handling Brazil’s strikers. He said when you stop Ronaldo from scoring, Romario steps up. He felt it was impossible to stop one or the other simultaneously as they combine well together to place their opponents in difficulty. He described them as the best strikers in the World.

Photo From: Goal, Issue 23, August 1997

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Photo From: Shoot, June 21, 1997

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Photo From: Shoot, June 21, 1997

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Hoddle expressed happiness to have won this Tournament, but was even more satisfied for their performances in general. He also stressed that qualification to the World Cup remained the most important objective.

Zagallo stated that the ‘Tournoi’ had been very important and beneficial, though they would like to have won it

He stressed that they had been undefeated and this match vs. England had met his expectations in all the sectors of play.

He stated that in space of a week his squad had modified its tactics and manner of playing to perform even better.

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1997

(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Photo From: L'Annee du Football, 1997

(England squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2674 bis, July 11, 1997

(Brazil squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)

On the following day, June 11^th at Paris‘ Parc des Princes, the French hosts closed the Tournament vs. Italy.

Jacquet once again made eight changes to his lineup (Thuram, Deschamps and Dugarry kept their places) and opted for a 4-4-2 formation.

Fabien Barthez was injured, therefore Lionel Charbonnier started in goal, making his International debut for France.

In defense, Leboeuf, Desailly and Lizarazu came in for N’Gotty, Blanc and Laigle.

Once more Jacquet had preferred not to start with Zidane and Djorkaeff together, as Zidane was back organizing the play instead of Djorkaeff.

Karembeu was also fit and back in the side replacing Vieira, while Ba was back operating as false winger on the right side (replacing Keller).

Florian Maurice was back in the attack instead of Ouedec.

As hosts, it was imperative for the French to earn a result from this match. Desailly had remarked as much saying given France’s position, France had more to lose than Italy.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Jacquet continuously stressed that he was experimenting and that the results were not important at this stage, but to be ready in a year’s time.

He nevertheless underlined the importance of this particular match by saying;  “This will be our most important match of the Tournament because a last place finish would leave us in disorder. We will need to exert more pressure when we have possession and we will need to concentrate and we will need to concentrate harder so as not to make silly mistakes.”

The Italians buoyed by the success of their display vs. Brazil made four changes.

In defense, Alessandro Nesta came into the side replacing Panucci.

Di Livio and Zola came back in the side replacing Dino Baggio and Albertini (scheduled for an operation back home and thus unavailable).

Casiraghi came back and replaced Vieri up front.

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

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

France would take the lead in the 12^th minute. Thuram’s long cross was controlled by Zidane and volleyed to the top of the goal from a narrow angle.

France would hold onto the lead into halftime. In the second half, Torrisi replaced Costacurta in defense and ten minutes into the half, Panucci came in for the disappointing Zola.

In the 61^st minute, Italy tied the match when Casiraghi headed in a cross from Di Livio.

Minutes later Jacquet replaced the struggling Karembeu with Vieira and also sent on Djorkaeff for Maurice.

In the 72^nd minute, France took the lead when Djorkaef unleashed a powerful unstoppable long distance shot.

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

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Photo From: World Soccer, September 1997

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Cesare Maldini decided to send on Vieri to replace Casiraghi at the top.

Just as it seemed France were headed for a win, Italy were awarded a penalty kick in the last minute after Thuram fouled Del Piero in the box.

Del Piero stepped up to score his second penalty kick of the Tournament and third goal overall (top scorer of the ‘Tournoi’).

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

For the French, Dugarry had a disappointing match and only Djorkaeff’s wonderful strike was a point of satisfaction for France.

A dejected France had failed to win. The only consolation was that at least they did not finish dead last as they had a better goal difference than Italy.

In the end, Jacquet once again stressed the fatigue of his squad. Lizarazu echoed this and said the last ten minutes of the match were very grueling.

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

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998

(June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

Despite the disappointing end, Jacquet preferred to look at the bigger picture. He stated, “Now we have 12 months to get it right”.

He added, “The matches at this tournament were not a lot of help because we could not develop as we wanted. Now we understand what we must do, the progress we must make and the importance of what is at stake. Team spirit, a little luck and our potential to rise to the occasion means we can achieve something very special when the World Cup is here.”

Jacquet also underlined how indispensable Zidane and Djorkaeff were to his plans.

Italians were relieved as they had salvaged a draw from the jaws of defeat and in any case they had improved since the dismal performance vs. England.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997

(Aime Jacquet, June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)

(To be continued tomorrow, with the conclusion and analysis of the tournament and the teams)