On
June 7th 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.
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Photo
From: L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
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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.
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
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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.
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
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Photo
From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes
(Alan
Shearer celebrating, June 7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
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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.
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2670, June 10, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
|
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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.
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2671, June 17, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2671 bis, June 20, 1997
(June
7, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 0-England 1)
|
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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 8th 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.
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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 23rd
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 35th minute, Brazil reduced the deficit, when Lombardo deflected
Roberto Carlos’ low shot into his own net.
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Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 107, December1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 113, June 1998
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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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 72nd 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.
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Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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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.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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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.
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Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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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.”
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Photo
From: L’Equipe Magazine, May 9, 1998
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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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”.
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2674 bis, July 11, 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 20, June 1999
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Goal, Issue 33, June 1998
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
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Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
(To
be continued tomorrow, with the last round of matches, June 10th,
Brazil vs. England and June 11th, France vs. Italy)
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