Soccer: France face tougher challenge than in 1998

Mighty France are regarded as one of the soccer World Cup favourites but the defending champions realise that winning this time is going to be much more demanding than it was in 1998.

Even if they admit to having a stronger side than four years ago, Les Bleus are not considered title outsiders anymore and cannot expect to surprise any opponents.

"We are the team to beat," said defender Frank Leboeuf. "Everybody wants to win the trophy and, as we are the ones who did it, everybody is keen to cut off our heads."

"Four years ago, other sides didn't dare to spend more than one hour to review our strategy on the video," said midfielder Youri Djorkaeff.

"Now, any side who is to take us on gives it at least one week to put under tight scrutiny the way we are playing. I'm certain (group A opponents) Denmark have spent months to prepare challenging us," Djorkaeff said.

The Danes, who were beaten by France in the 1998 World Cup and in the 2000 European championship, will be eager for revenge when the two teams meet in their last match in the first round.

"It can't be like four years ago anymore," said France captain Marcel Desailly. "This time, we are not going to play on home ground with the fans to back us.

"In 1998, despite being the hosts, we were only underdogs as we had not won anything. Today, we are one of the three top favourites along with Italy and Argentina, and we have to defend our status."

Desailly, who took over as skipper after Didier Deschamps retired from the international arena in 2000, said that reaching the quarter-finals or even the semifinals would not be good enough for France.

"We are here to go all the way through," he said. "Obviously we have more pressure on our shoulders."

Coach Roger Lemerre has refused to set any goals for his squad but he too said he was dreaming about a second consecutive world title.

If they achieve such a feat, France would emulate Italy and Brazil, the only other sides who were able to retain their crowns, in 1938 and 1962 respectively.

"When you are a professional, only victory can be satisfactory," Lemerre said. "I don't want to look too far ahead yet. I have only set my mind on advancing to the second round."

Senegal and Uruguay are France's other group A opponents, but Lemerre is refusing to take anything for granted and has called on his players to think back to their 1998 campaign.

"We must remember what we did four years ago, what efforts and sacrifices it required," he said. "It's like a daily work - thinking about the past.

"We must not overlook that all the other teams have had to go through qualifying matches. So they are already into the World Cup.

"For us, it will only start in the first minute of the opening match," said Lemerre referring to the fact that, as champions, France did not have to qualify for the finals.

- REUTERS

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