Memorable European Confrontations, Part 28-1996 Bordeaux vs. AC Milan

Bordeaux and AC Milan were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1995/96 UEFA Cup.

The Italian were the premier Team in European Football having won the Champions Cup (later called Champions League) three times in the previous eight years and reached the Final on two other occasions.

The squad managed by Fabio Capello had some of the best Italian players around such as Legends like Captain Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio as well as the likes of Alessandro Costacurta, Christian Panucci, Roberto Donadoni, etc.

The foreign contingent included the recent 1995 Ballon d’Or, the Liberian (and former Paris St. Germain) forward George Weah, Croatian midfielder Zvonimir Boban and Yugoslavia’s Dejan Savicevic.

In the midseason they had acquired promising young French player Patrick Vieira.

The team were riding high in the League and were on their way to claim a fourth Scudetto in five seasons.

They had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin (4-0, 4-1 away), France’s Strasbourg (1-0 away, 2-1 away) and Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague (2-0 home, 0-0).

In contrast, French club Bordeaux had been struggling in the League and were in the lower half of the table.

They had replaced their Manager, the Yugoslavian, Slavo Muslin with youth coach, their long serving former German defender Gernot Rohr.

Despite their struggles the team did have quality and formed a backbone with the trio of future Legend Zidane Zidane along with defender Bixente Lizarazu and striker Christophe Dugarry.

The team also included former Ajax and Barcelona midfielder and Dutch International Richard Witschge and Denmark’s Jacob Friis-Hansen.

They had advanced via the Intertoto Cup and had started the previous July.

After making their entry through the backdoor of the Intertoto Cup, Bordeaux had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating FYR Macedonia’s Vardar Skopje (0-2 away, 1-1 home), Russia’s Rotor Volgograd (2-1 home, 1-0 away) and Spain’s Real Betis (2-0 home, 1-2).

The first leg, on March 5^th, was played at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro).

Milan fans used to the glamour of the Champions League did not view this competition as highly and the low turn-out (just over 22, 0000) reflected that, as did some of Capello’s selections.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Team captains, Bixente Lizarazu and Franco Baresi, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Bordeaux bench with Manager Gernot Rohr and Club President Alian Affelou, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

First choice goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi was rested and in his place Mario Ielpo started. Liberian striker George Weah was also missing.

Also missing were, the injured Demetrio Albertini and Croatian Zvonimir Boban (out because of the flu) in midfield.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Bixente Lizarazu between Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Their absence gave a rare opportunity for young French midfielder Patrick Vieira to start.

Bordeaux Manager Gernot Rohr had lowered expectations before the match and had given his team only a 10% chance of advancing. His main concern had been to leave Milan without giving up many goals.

On the pitch, Milan did the required minimum to win.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Mario Ielpo, Richard Witschge and Alessandro Costacurta, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Marcel Desailly, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

In the 30^th minute, Marco Simone sent a through ball inside the box for Savicevic (back to the goal), who laid it on for Eranio to shoot past Huard.

Milan sealed the match in the 75^th minute, through a curling free kick goal by Roberto Baggio.

Milan had won without really exerting themselves and were seemingly in a comfortable lead for the second leg given their recent history.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Capello was dissatisfied that his team had not scored at least one more goal. He also called into question the refereeing over an offside call against Baggio.

Bordeaux had been defeated but it had not been the humiliation that many would have predicted.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Gernot Rohr was satisfied with his team’s display especially given their League position.

Christophe Dugarry felt a two goal deficit would be hard but they would do their utmost to win.

Afterwards, Bordeaux President maintained that despite financial difficulties, there was a 95% chance that Dugarry and Zidane would still remain part of the squad for next season. (In the end neither player nor Affelou himself remained for the following season).

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(Gaetan Huard unable to stop Baggio’s free kick, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

March 5, 1996

AC (Associazione Calcio) Milan-Milano (Italy) 2- Football Club Des Girondins de Bordeaux (France) 0

UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Venue: Milano -Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance: 22,740

Referee: Vadim Zhuk (Belarus)

Goalscorers: (AC Milan): Stefano Eranio 30^th, Roberto Baggio 75^th

  (Bordeaux): None

                    

Lineups:

AC Milan:

1-Mario Ielpo, 2-Christian Panucci, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Patrick Vieira (France), 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 6-Franco Baresi, 7-Stefano Eranio, 8-Marcel Desailly (France), 9-Roberto Baggio, 10-Dejan Savicevic (Yugoslavia) (15-Roberto Donadoni 87^th), 11-Marco Simone (16-Paolo Di Canio 74^th)

Coach: Fabio Capello

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Lotto

Shirt Sponsor:  Opel

Uniform Colors: Red/Black Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Bordeaux:

1-Gaetan Huard, 2-Geoffrey Toyes, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 4-Laurent Croci, 5-Jean-Luc Dogon, 6-Phillipe Lucas (12-Daniel Dutuel 81^st), 7-Zinedine Zidane, 8-Jacob Friis Hansen (Denmark), 9-Anthony Bancarel, 10-Richard Witschge (Holland), 11-Christophe Dugarry (Didier Tholot 88)

Coach: Gernot Rohr (Germany)

Booked: Geoffrey Toyes 45, Laurent Croci 86

Team Captain: Bixente Lizarazu

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Asics

Shirt Sponsor: Alain Affelou

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, Burgundy Red Socks

The second leg, on March 19^th, was played at Bordeaux’s Stade Chaban-Delmas (Parc Lescure).

Milan were seemingly in a safe position and the match held no indications that it would become a classic in a match between the Serie A League leaders against a team in the 14^th position in the French League.

For Milan, Weah was back in the squad, along with Roberto Donadoni.

Marco Simone was out as was Dejan Savicevic. The reason for the withdrawal of Savicevic was a perceived injury. However, Salvo Muslin (Bordeaux’s Manager just a few months prior) had learned from a journalist friend in Yugoslavia that Savicevic was fit to play, but Capello had preferred to rest him for the Serie A. Incidentally Muslin was in the stands for this match, as was Prime Minister and Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé.

For Bordeaux, Croci was out and Friis-Hansen was moved into the defense.

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(Team captains, Bixente Lizarazu and Franco Baresi, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Daniel Dutuel started in midfield and Didier Tholot started upfront in place of Bancarel.

Bordeaux started from the beginning and were determined to win this match.

Milan, perhaps surprised by Bordeaux’s determination were out of sorts in this first half and had one of their worst displays.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Gaetan Huard and Paolo Maldini, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Grenet between Albertini and Donadoni, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Bordeaux took the lead in the 15^th minute. Richard Witschge switched the field with a long pass from the right to the left side to Lizarazu.

The Bordeaux Captain crossed inside the box for Tholot to tap in. Mario Ielpo attempted to stop the shot but the ball went in.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Didier Tholot  scoring, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(Didier Tholot celebrating the first goal, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Just ten minutes later, Milan were dealt a blow when Eranio was injured and had to be replaced by Albertini.

At the start of the second half, Capello made a tactical switch to improve Milan’s play. He took out Baggio and put in Paolo Di Canio.

At first it appeared the change had been beneficial was Milan seemed better but Bordeaux’s relentless surge continued.

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

In the 64^th minute, Bordeaux scored its second to tie the series.

Zidane took a free kick from the left side that took a deflection and fell for Dugarry to score from the rebound.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998

(Patrick Vieira and Bixente Lizarazu , March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Marcel Desailly, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Six minutes later, in the 70^th minute, Bordeaux scored its third to overcome the deficit.

Lizarazu released Zidane on the left side, who in turn tried to release Tholot but his attempt was blocked and got back to him. Zidane then slid the ball to Dugarry on the right side who shot high past Ielpo.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(George Weah, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Milan still had two late chances by Weah, but Bordeaux goalkeeper Gaetan Huard came to the rescue and saved the attempts.

In the end Bordeaux won deservingly to seal one of the most memorable encounters of the history of the European Cups.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Zinedine Zidane, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Milan had not lost in Europe by three clear goals since 1978. AC Milan’s French midfielder Marcel Desailly declared afterwards that he was ashamed of their display especially in the first half. He did however emphasize that Milan had not underestimate its opponents. Desailly felt Bordeaux had played exceptionally well by pressing hard.

Veteran Belgian Manager Raymond Goethals would later remark that AC Milan would never have played in such a careless manner in the Champions League.

This result is remembered in the annals of French Football as one of the greatest performances by a French club in Europe.

It was not just overturning a deficit but it must be remembered that Berlusconi’s Milan were at the time Europe’s premier club.

Photo From: Planete Foot, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Planete Foot, April 1996

(Franco Baresi and Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Bordeaux went on to eliminate Slavia Prague in the semifinals and advanced to the Final of the UEFA Cup in May. They were overmatched in the Final by Bayern Munich and were comprehensively defeated (0-2 away, 1-3 home) to end a European adventure that had started the previous July.

That season was also the onset of the Bosman ruling and Bordeaux predictably lost its most valuable jewels.

AC Milan themselves signed Christophe Dugarry, while Zidane headed for Juventus and Lizarazu to Athletic Bilbao.

Even players such as goalkeeper Gaetan Huard and midfielder Daniel Dutuel took advantage of the new rules to move abroad.

AC Milan clinched the League title to meet its primary objective.

This would remain as one of the biggest upsets of European competitions.

March 19, 1996

Football Club Des Girondins de Bordeaux (France) 3- AC (Associazione Calcio) Milan-Milano (Italy) 0

UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg

Venue: Bordeaux– Stade Chaban-Delmas (Parc Lescure)

Attendance: 32,500

Referee: Ahmet Cakar (Turkey)

Goalscorers: (Bordeaux): Didier Tholt 15^th, Chritophe Dugarry 64^th, 70^th

  (AC Milan): None

                    

Lineups:

Bordeaux:

1-Gaetan Huard, 2-Geoffrey Toyes, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 4- Jacob Friis Hansen (Denmark), 5-Jean-Luc Dogon, 6-Phillipe Lucas, 7- Zinedine Zidane, 8- Daniel Dutuel (14- François Grenet 60^th), 9-Didier Tholot (13-Joachim Fernandez 85^th), 10-Richard Witschge (Holland), 11-Christophe Dugarry

Coach: Gernot Rohr (Germany)

Booked: Christophe Dugarry 88

Other Substitutes: 15-Anthony Bancarel, 16-Lionel Perez

Team Captain: Bixente Lizarazu

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Asics

Shirt Sponsor: Alain Affelou

Uniform Colors: Burgundy Red Shirts, White Shorts, Burgundy Red Socks

AC Milan:

1-Mario Ielpo, 2-Christian Panucci, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Patrick Vieira (France), (15-Tomas Locatelli 71^st), 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 6-Franco Baresi, 7-Stefano Eranio (14-Demetrio Albertini 25^th), 8-Marcel Desailly (France), 9-George Weah (Liberia), 10-Roberto Baggio (16-Paolo Di Canio 46^th), 11-Roberto Donadoni

Coach: Fabio Capello

Booked: Paolo Maldini 28, Alessandro Costacurta 44, Paolo Di Canio 71

Other Substitutes: Mauro Tassoti, Massimo Ambrosini

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Lotto

Shirt Sponsor:  Opel

Uniform Colors: White shirts (thin red/black vertical stripe in middle), White Shorts, White Socks

References:

Football International, April 1996

France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

L'Annee du Football, 1996

Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998

Planete Foot, April 1996

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Bordeaux squad celebrating, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(Bordeaux President Alain Affelou joining the celebrations, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

October 11, 1995-Romania 1-France 3

October 11, 1995

Romania 1-France 3

UEFA European Championship Qualifying -Group 1

Venue: Bucharest (Bucuresti), Ghencea Stadionul (Steaua)   

Attendance: 25,000

Referee: Pierluigi Pairetto (Italy)

Goalscorers: (Romania): Marius Lacatus 52’

                    (France): Christian Karembeu 28’, Youri Djorkeff 42’,

       Zinedine Zidane 72’

Lineups:

Romania:

1- Bogdan Gheorghe Stelea (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti)   [30 / 0] 

3- Daniel Claudiu Prodan (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti)   [27 / 1] 

2- Dan Vasile Petrescu (Sheffield Wednesday Football Club / England) [48 / 5] 

4- Gheorge Mihali (En Avant de Guingamp / France)   [27 / 0]    (16-Danut  Lupu (Rapid Bucharest) [13 / 0]   46^th)

5- Ioan Angelo Lupescu (Turn und Sportverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V. / Germany)  [44 / 5] 

6- Gheorge Popescu (Fútbol Club Barcelona / Spain) [59 / 3] 

7-Marius Mihai Lacatus (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti)   [71 / 12] 

9-Tibor Selymes (Koninklijke Sportvereniging Cercle Brugge / Belgium) [24 / 0] 

8- Ilie Dumitrescu (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club –London / England) [52 / 18]   (17-Ion Vladoui (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti)  [15 / 0]  46th)

10- Gheorge Hagi (Fútbol Club Barcelona / Spain)  [92 / 26]  (15-Basarab Nica Panduru (Sport Lisboa e Benfica / Portugal)  [19 / 1]  62^nd)

11-Dorinel Ionel Munteanu (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V. / Germany) [42 / 3] 

Coach: Anghel Iordanescu

Booked: Ion Vladoui 80, Ioan Angelo Lupescu 84

Other Subs:

12- Florin Prunea (Fotbal Club Dinamo Bucuresti)

14- Constantin Galca (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti)   

Team Captain: Gheorge Hagi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts, Yellow Socks

France:

1- Fabien Barthez (Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club) [2 / 0] 

3- Eric Di Meco  (Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club) [17 / 0]  

2- Jocelyn Angloma (Torino Calcio 1906 / Italy) [28 / 0] 

4- Christian Karembeu (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova / Italy) [10 / 1] 

5- Frank Leboeuf (Racing Club de Strasbourg Football) [4 / 2] 

7- Didier Deschamps (Juventus Football Club-Torino / Italy) [44 / 3] 

8- Marcel Desailly (Associazione Calcio Milan / Italy) [17 / 1] 

6- Vincent Guérin (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club) [8 / 2] 

9- Youri Djorkaeff (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club) [12 / 7]  (12-Bixente Lizarazu (Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux) [16 / 0] 74^th)

10- Zinedine Zidane (Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux) [7 / 4]  (13-Lilian Thuram (Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club) [6 / 0]  83^rd) 

11- Christophe Dugarry (Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux) [8 / 1]  (15-Mikael Madar (Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club) [1 / 0] 62^nd)  

Coach: Aimé Jacquet

Booked: Frank Leboeuf 17, Fabien Barthez 69, Bixente Lizarazu 82

Other Subs:

16-Bruno Martini (Montpellier-Hérault Sports Club)

14-Marc Keller (Racing Club de Strasbourg Football)

Team Captain: Eric Di Meco

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks

Photo From: Kickers Sportsmagazin

(France squad, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

Notes:

-Match number 483 for Romania and number 532 for France.

-This was the 8th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations, as well as the previous match on French soil, was the first leg of this EC Qualifier at Saint Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy Guichard on October 8, 1994 that ended scoreless.

Romania players: Stelea, Petrescu, Prodan, Lupescu, Popescu, Lacatus, Dumitrescu, Panduru, Hagi and Selymes and French players: Angloma, Lizarazu, Karembeu, Desailly, Zidane, Dugarry and Barthez were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Gheorge Hagi still captained Romania.

Romania’s Ilie Dumitrescu was booked in this match.

Both sets of managers were still in charge.

-The next match between the nations, as well as the next French win and next match on Neutral venue, was only a few months away during the Finals of UEFA European Championships on June 10, 1996 at Newcastle’s Saint James’ Park that France won 1 to 0.

Romania players: Stelea, Petrescu, Mihali, Munteanu, Prodan, Lupescu, Popescu, Lacatus, Prunea, Prodan, Galca, Hagi and Selymes and French players: Angloma, Guérin, Deschamps, Lizarazu, Thuram, Di Meco, Karembeu, Desailly, Djorkaeff, Zidane, Dugarry, Leboeuf, Madar, Martini and Barthez were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Gheorge Hagi still captained Romania; Didier Deschamps was now the Official Captain of France.

Christophe Dugarry scored France’s winner.

Romania’s Gheorge Mihali and Tibor Selymes and France’s Eric Di Meco were booked in this match.

Both sets of managers were still in charge.

-The previous match between the nations in the same city, as well as Romania’s last home win (home or otherwise) to date, was a Friendly on April 8, 1972 that Romania won 2 to 0.

The Romania Manager Anghel Iordanescu scored Romania’s first goal.

-The next match between the nations on Romanian soil, was a World Cup Qualifier on October 11, 2008 that ended in a 2-2 tie.

-The next match between the nations at Bucharest, was a EC Qualifier on September 6, 2011 that ended in a scoreless tie.

-The next match between the nations on French soil, was a Friendly at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France on February 13, 2002 that France won 2 to 1.

Romania players: Popescu, Munteanu, Stelea and Prodan and France players: Thuram, Desailly and Zidane were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Gheorghe Popescu and Marcel Desailly captained their respective nations in that match.

Anghel Iordanescu was in charge of Romania in that match as well.

-France’s previous win over Romania was a Friendly on March 23, 1974 on Paris’ Parc des Princes that France won 1 to 0.

The Romania Manager Anghel Iordanescu played in that match.

France were managed by Romanian Stefan Kovacs.

-The two teams were in a European Championship qualifying group that included also Poland, Slovakia, Azerbaijan and Israel.

Going into this match, the Romanians were on top, with France under pressure from Poland.

-In their previous qualifiers, France had easily demolished Azerbaijan (10-0) on September 6th, but had nearly lost vs, Poland at home on August 16th (1-1).

In fact they tied with Poland in the dying stages of the match and their qualification prospects were far from certain.

-Romania had built on their 1994 World Cup success and seemed set to qualify and were more confident.

-Since taking over from Gerard Houllier in 1994, Aimé Jacquet had a somewhat difficult task in rebuilding. Many of France’s matches under him had ended in ties and his position seemed weak and there were calls for his dismissal in French football circles.

In addition, Jacquet had lost his Captain Eric Cantona, since January 1995, after the infamous ‘Kung-Fu kick’ incident with his club Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace on January 25, 1995.

His suspension had only ended at the beginning of the month; as a result, Jacquet did not call him up for this match.

France were in a difficult position and had to absolutely get a positive result to have any hopes of advancing.

-The French striking duo of veterans Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin played their last match for France on January 18, 1995 (Holland 0-France 1).

This match took 7 days before Cantona’s exclusion following the kicking incident vs. Crystal Palace.

Eric Cantona was fined £20,000 and banned from playing football until October and also lost the captaincy of the French national team.

Cantona had claimed the fan, Matthew Simmons, had shouted racial insults and had thrown a missile at him as he was walking off the field after being sent–off for a foul on another player during a tackle.

-After Cantona’s loss, Jacquet had sought to implement a system with the Zidane-Djorkaeff combination upfront.

- Romania were missing starters such as Miodrag Beloidedic, Ioan Sabau and Florin Raducioiu.

In Addition Ilie Dumitrescu was rarely playing at Tottenham Hotspur and Hagi was also struggling at Barcelona.

-France were missing Laurent Blanc, Alain Roche, starting goalkeeper Bernard Lama, Reynald Pedros, David Ginola, Nicolas Ouedec, Jean-Pierre Papin and Patrice Loko.

Loko had just transferred to Paris St. Germain from Nantes. On July 20, 1995, he was arrested at Paris for violent behavior after what appeared to be a nervous breakdown.

He would miss France’s matches for fall of 1995, as he was going through counseling and recovery.

Newcastle United’s David Ginola, who was having an excellent season, was eventually omitted from France team due to his demand for a starter position.

He played his last match for France, the previous month vs. Azerbaijan.

Fabien Barthez deputized for the injured Lama in goal for France. This was only his second cap.

His previous and first cap had been on May 26, 1994 vs. Australia (1-0 win) during the Kirin Cup at Kobe, Japan.

Early in the year 1995, Barthez had been suspended for two months for using Cannabis.

-France’s Christian Karembeu was having an excellent season. He had just joined Serie A’s Sampdoria.

The previous season he had won the French League with Nantes.

Didier Deschamps had clinched the double the previous season with Juventus.

Youri Djorkaeff had just joined Paris St. Gerrmain from AS Monaco.

-Also missing for France was AS Monaco defender Emanuele Petit, who felt he had been overlooked, as he was a scapegoat for the failure to qualify for USA 94.

-Despite its tendency to tie so many matches, France had been unbeaten since Jacquet had taken over, a run of 15 matches.

-Prior to the match, Romanian superstar Gheorge Hagi had called into question France’s tactics. He believed they were not a great team yet.

- Following Eric Cantona’s exclusion from the national team, the France Manager Aime Jacquet experimented with the captaincy by rotating it from match to match.

For this match with Romania, he chose Eric Di Meco as his Captain. He explained that he needed a warrior for such an important match away from home.

This would be Di Meco’s one and only time as Captain.

For France’s previous match on September vs. Azerbaijan, Marcel Desailly had captained. For the following month, in the crucial qualifier vs. Israel, Vincent Guerin would Captain his nation.

-Jacquet chose to start with three defensive midfielders: Didier Deschamps, Vincent Guerin and Christian Karembeu.

Marcel Desailly, who had settled to excellent effect in midfield for his club AC Milan, was pushed back into the center of defense.

Desailly and Lebouef covered for the missing Blanc and Roche.

The injury to so many French strikers had paved the way for the selection of AS Monaco’s then-uncapped Mikael Madar.

Christophe Dugarry was positioned as sole striker.

Photo From: Capitaines des bleus depuis 1904, Author Vincent Duluc

(Eric Di Meco, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

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

(October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Prior to this match, Romania had not lost a match at Bucharest since 1990 (October 17, 1990, EC Qualifier, Romania 0-Bulgaria 3).

Their last defeat on home soil had been a meaningless friendly in Brasov in 1991 (August 28, 1991, Romania 0-USA 2)

- Jacquet had a meeting with the old heads, Deschamps, Desailly, Guerin and Di Meco. He asked them to guide the young into this crucial match.

-During the singing of the National Anthems, France’s ‘La Marseillaise’ was booed by some segment of Romania’s fans.

-Since were more determined from the opening kick, as they really needed a result. For Romania, a tie was sufficient to qualify for the Finals; as a result they may have played with less determination than usual.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Marcel Desailly, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-France dominated the first half and had more shots on goal and unsurprisingly led by two goals.

-In the 29^th minute, Deschamps won a ball in midfield and released it to Zidane.

Zidane crossed from the left side into the box for Karembeu who trapped it and advanced and put it past Stelea.

This turned out to be Karembeu’s first and only goal for France.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Christian Karembeu scoring France’s first goal past Bogdan Stelea, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-In the 41^st minute, Desailly won a ball and advanced laid it on for Guerin on the left side. Guerin crossed for Dugarry waiting just outside of the box. He trapped and took a shot that Stelea could only parry and Djorkaeff tapped it in.

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(Youri Djorkaeff scoring France’s second goal past Bogdan Stelea, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-After the break, Romania took off defender Mihali and Dumitrescu and sent on Danut Lupu and Ion Vladoui for more attacking options. They somewhat raised their game in this half.

-In the 51^st minute, Stelea kicked a ball upfield that Muntenau received. He sent a through pass for Lacatus, who dribbled past Barthez and score.

The French defense protested that Lacatus might have been marginally offside.

-After this goal, Romania pressed for an equalizer, but the French defense held firm.

- The French defense was never in real danger and conceded only three corners during the entire match.

Fabien Barthez’s only significant saves were from two free kicks from Hagi.

-France scored the deciding goal midway through the half.

-In the 72^nd minute, Eric Di Meco tackled a ball that reached Madar on the left side. The debutant substitute, with plenty of open space ahead of him, crossed into the right side to Zidane (also with much space).

Zidane took a hard shot into the top corner of net from a difficult angle and sealed France’s win.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Zinedine Zidane scoring France’s third goal, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Afterwards, the players publicly paid homage to the much-contested Jacquet and his tactics.

Jacquet was vindicated in his plan to implement the Zidane/Djorkaeff association.

-Jacquet was pleased his with three defensive midfielders (Deschamps, Guerin, Karembeu) and stated that he has found his ‘three monsters’ in the middle.

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

(October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Marcel Desailly had perhaps been the best player on the field.

By the time of the Euros he would be the starter in central defense and would remain so for the rest of his France career.

By the Euros, Laurent Blanc would also be back in the French set-up and they would form the central defensive rock of France’s glorious generation.

Laurent Blanc himself would go through a resurrection of sorts that season with Auxerre and win back his France spot.

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1995

(Dan Petrescu and Zinedine Zidane, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 23, May 1996

(Youri Djorkaeff, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Young striker Christophe Dugarry also played his best match for France (up until then) and was praised.

-The theme in the French press was that a ‘team was born in Bucharest’.

This match was later described by experts/observers/players/etc as the pivotal turning point in the birth of the golden age of the French national team of late 90’s and early 2000’s.

It is described as that Generations’ ‘Match de Reference’.

-The following on November 15^th, both nations qualified for the 1996 Euros in England.

France defeated Israel at home (2-0), while Romania defeated Slovakia away (2-0).

Romania won the group outright with 21 points followed by France (20 points).

Slovakia were a distant third with 14 points.

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

(Dan Petrescu and International debutant Mickael Madar, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-France players: Angloma, Di Meco, Leboeuf, Guerin, Deschamps, Desailly, Djorkaeff, Zidane, Lizarazu, Dugarry, Thuram, Barthez, Madar, Karembeu and Martini made the Euros Finals squad.

By the time of the Tournament, Thuram and Lizarazu had established themselves as starters in the outside back positions ahead of Angloma and Di Meco.

Prior to the Tournament, Jacquet appointed Didier Deschamps as the official Team captain and he would remain fro the rest of his France career.

He is the current national team Manager.

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

(Marcel Desailly, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

- Jacquet chose not to call upon Eric Cantona again following the end of his suspension, satisfied with the partnership of Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff for Euro 96 and specially the 1998 World Cup in mind.

David Ginola was similarly omitted from the squad.

Cantona and Ginola were ironically the two English based players and both had and excellent season in the run up to the finals tournament.

-On May 27, 1996, Ilie Dumitrescu was withdrawn from the Euro Finals squad due to injury.

-Romania players: Stelea, Prunea, Petrescu, Prodan, Mihali, Selymes, Hagi, Lupescu, Popescu, Galca, Munteanu, Lacatus and Vladoiu made the Euros Finals squad.

-The two teams would be paired in the same Group in the Euros. France won that match (1-0) as stated earlier.

-Didier Deschamps won the Champions League that season with Juventus.

Marcel Desailly triumphed in the Italian League with AC Milan.

Vincent Guérin and Youri Djorkaeff won the Cup Winners Cup with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club.

- Vincent Guérin was elected as the French Player of the year for 1995.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Vincent Guerin, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-France and Aime Jacquet’s unbeaten run ended after 31 matches. His first loss was in November 1996 vs. Denmark.

The last match prior that France had lost was the November 17, 1993 qualifier against Bulgaria.

(Note: France lost on a penalty kick shoot-out in the Euros vs. Czech republic, but the match had officially ended as a scoreless tie).

- Danut Lupu’s next and final cap would a friendly on March 18, 1998 at the same venue (Romania 0-Israel 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Christophe Dugarry, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Steaua Bucharest players: Stelea, Prodan, Lacatus, Vladoui and Galca had won the Romanian League title the previous season and would also win it that season.

- Romanian defender Gheorge Mihali was playing for French club En Avant de Guingamp.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 89, June 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-Ilie Dumitrescu would transfer to West Ham United in a matter of months.

-France’s Bordeaux trio : Lizarazu, Zidane and Dugarry starred in their UEFA Cup run that included teh elimination of AC Milan. They reached teh Final but lost to Bayern Munich.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Christian Karembeu, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-During the season, the landmark Bosman Ruling occured. At the end of the season many French players joined foreign clubs.:

Angloma (Valencia), Leboeuf (Chelsea), Djorkaeff (Internazionale Milano), Lizarazu (Athletic Bilbao), Zidane (Juventus), Thuram (Parma), Dugary (AC Milan), Madar (Deportivo La Coruna) and Keller (West Ham United).

The Popescu and Hagi joined Galatasaray.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995

(Youri Djorkaeff with Didier Deschamps in the background, October 11, 1995, EC Qualifier, Romania 1-France 3)

-France players: Lizarazu, Djorkaeff, Deschamps, Desailly, Thuram, Barthez, Leboeuf, Karembeu and Dugarry were part of France’s victorious World Cup winning squad of 1998, as well as the 2000 UEFA European.

Championships.

-Anghel Iordanescu won the 1986 Champions Cup with Lacatus as a teammate.

-Deschamps, Di Meco, Angloma, Barthez and Desailly won the 1993 Champions League with Olympique Marseille.

Deschamps (Juventus 1996), Desailly (AC Milan 1994), Karembeu (Real Madrid 1998), Lizarazu (Bayern Munich 2001) and Zidane (Real Madrid 2002) also won the trophy in their careers.

Match Reports:

Onze-Mondial, Issue 82, November 1995 / L'Integrale de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors: J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1998/ France Football, Issue 2584, October 17, 1995 / L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire / World Soccer, December 1995 / Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 23, May 1996 / L’Annee du Football, 1996 / Le Livre d'or du Football 1996 / Onze-Mondial, Issue 89, June 1996 / Capitaines des bleus depuis 1904, Author Vincent Duluc

Match Video / Highlights: