Soccer Memories-Part 50, The birth of Zidane and Djorkaeff Tandem in 1995

 

Eric Cantona’s Kung-Fu kick on January 25^th, 1995, not only impacted his career, but it may also have changed the course of the French National Team’s History.

To understand the full context, we must go back a year earlier to November 17^th, 1993, and that fateful day when France were eliminated in dramatic fashion from the 1994 World Cup.

In the aftermath, Gerard Houllier left his post as France National Team Manager. His former Assistant Aimé Jacquet picked up the pieces to rebuild the National Team in 1994.

Jacquet appointed Eric Cantona to be the new Captain of the National Team. At this point, Cantona was at the top of his game and shining in England with Manchester United.

Jacquet's immediate objective were the 1996 Euros and the new look France struggled for wins in the qualifiers despite being undefeated.

Cantona’s indiscipline and subsequent long suspension had seemingly made Jacquet’s task even more difficult. In hindsight, this functioned as a catalyst for Jacquet to institute a tactical shift and build a team around the young emerging talents of Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, March 1995

(Eric Cantona’s Kung-Fu kick, January 25, 1995, Crystal Palace 1-Manchester United 1)

Cantona had played for France just days earlier on January 18^th, 1995, vs. Holland (1-0 win). It would be his last one for his Nation.

Zidane and Djorkaeff had been slowly introduced in the previous couple of years.

Initially, Cantona, Jean-Pierre Papin and David Ginola were ahead in the pecking order. In addition, in this year (1994/95), Nantes was very much in flavor and their trio of Patrice Loko, Nicolas Ouedec and Reynald Pedros were very much in the mix.

 

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 73, February 1995

(Eric Cantona’s final match for France, January 18, 1995, Holland 0-France 1)

It would be in the new season (1995/96) that Jacquet made the decision to impose the young Zidane as the playmaker.

In the summer, Youri Djorkaeff had left the comparative tranquility of Monaco and joined the ambitious Paris St. Germain.

He also forced his way into Jacquet’s plans after scoring a late free kick vs. Poland in August 1995 in a Qualifier (1-1 tie).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 78, July 1995

(Youri Djorkaeff at Paris St. Germain)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 83, December 1995

(Aime Jacquet)

From this point on, the duo would be Jacquet’s first choice. Djorkaeff would play in a more advanced role along with Zidane.

Along the way, Jean-Pierre Papin’s injuries had sidelined him, while David Ginola was dropped after demanding for a starter role. The Nantes trio, while still part of the squad, were no longer indispensable.

Zidane and Djorkaeff were both on the scoresheet, the first time they started together in France’s next qualifier on September 6^th, 1995, vs. Azerbaijan (10-0).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 81, October 1995

(Zinedine Zidane)

The next qualifier at Bucharest vs. Romania on October 11^th, 1995, was to be the Reference match of this Generation. Both players took center stage in this match and scored in a key win (3-1) that paved the way for qualification, the following month after a (2-0) win over Israel.

The pair were complimentary, and comparisons were being made to Platini-Giresse combination.

 

In the meantime, Cantona’s ban had ended, and he was on his way to guide a young Manchester United side to the Premier League title.

The Cantona question could not be ignored, despite the young duo’s potential.

In the run-up to the Euro Finals, there was debate in French Football circles, whether Cantona (as well as Papin and Ginola) should be re-integrated or should Jacquet keep faith with a team built around Zidane and Djorkaeff.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2602, February 20, 1996

(Youri Djorkaeff and Zinedine Zidane)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 82, November 1995

(Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff)

While Papin and Ginola seemed longshots to earn a recall, there was more clamor for Cantona’s inclusion.

In the end, Jacquet chose to maintain Zidane and Djorkaeff. The news made a bigger headline in England, the host Nation of the Euros. Cantona and Ginola had been superb during the season at Manchester United and Newcastle United respectively (Finishing First and second).

Kevin Keegan, Ginola’s Manager at Newcastle, was one of those baffled at the decision.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2615, May 21, 1996

(Eric Cantona and David Ginola)

Jacquet’s decision was not an easy one and could have been his undoing.

He revealed that in January 1996, he had traveled incognito to Manchester to explain his decision to Cantona in person.

He had the future (and the Word Cup 1998) in mind and preferred the young duo ahead of Cantona. Jacquet also felt that Cantona’s presence would have been detrimental to the development of the naturally shy Zidane, who did not possess the strength to deal with such a strong personality.

The rest is History.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2616, May 28, 1996

(Aime Jacquet)