After a humiliating exit from the 2002 World Cup, a disappointing Euro 2004, and a lacklustre qualifying campaign, France are not exactly surfing a wave of optimism as they head to Germany.
Which is strange, because any side boasting the likes of Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, David Trezeguet, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele would normally be considered strong favourites for the title.
A kind first-round draw, where their Group G opponents are Switzerland, Togo and South Korea should in theory see Raymond Domenech’s side advance comfortably to the second round.
But with the trauma of South Korea still fresh in the memory — where they failed to score a goal and went out in first round — there is an unmistakable air of apprehension enveloping ”Les Bleus”.
Domenech has struggled to win over the fans since taking over from Jacques Santini following Euro 2004, where the French were bundled out by Greece.
Even though he has a reputation as a disciplinarian, jettisoning the likes of Robert Pires from his squad, Domenech has suggested he would prefer to see France lose in style rather than win ugly.
”Sometimes you can go all the way, without giving any pleasure,” Domenech said. ”You ask yourself is it not better to have one or two matches which last in the memory?”
Domenech is hoping that the return of Real Madrid star Zidane — who came out of international retirement last August and who will quit the sport for good after the finals — will inspire France.
”I know that he really wants to succeed in Germany and I’m convinced that he still has the most beautiful page of his sporting history to write: winning a second World Cup with the Blues,” says Domenech.
The key to French hopes could lie in attack, where Arsenal star Henry and Juventus’ Trezeguet have struggled to find the net regularly.
Henry however has been inspirational for the Gunners in Europe this season and if he carries that form into the World Cup then France could well be winning in style. – Sapa-AFP