The Stars of France 98

Alessandro Del Piero
November, 9 - 1974, Forward - Juventus
ITALY
Group B

What a better chance to achieve the "Golden Football" than a World Cup as a potagonist? The big defeated of 1997 wants his revenge and gets ready by scoring bunches of goals, like never before. Sacchi gave him an opportunity 2 years ago in England but he had to play as a midfielder and after just 45 minutes his European Championship was over. Del Piero was replaced by Donadoni who was suddenly recalled while being on vacation. Cesare Maldini instead considers Del Piero as a forward and usually chooses the one who is in better form between Alessandro and Zola. After a few tiresome injuries and the disappointment for being benched during last year Champions League’s Final, Del Piero finally found a good harmony with his new teammate Inzaghi and persuaded his Coach Lippi that as a forward he can be much more effective than as a midfielder. He shouted defiance at Ronaldo and keeps on playing with such a consistency he never showed before. He played both with Ravanelli and with Vieri. Now he plays with Inzaghi. Another reason because it will be hard not to line up Alessandro as a starter during the next World Cup.

Marcel Desailly
September, 7 - 1968, Defender/Midfielder
Milan (Italy)
FRANCE
Group C

One of the most surprising players of the last 10 years. A physically tough defender emerged with Nantes and with the European Champion Marseille. However he was one of the less talented players of that team. Many were surprised when Milan acquired him and claimed that Berlusconi was just personally helping Tapie. On the contrary Capello was able to turn Desailly in a great midfielder even ready to replace a myth like Rijkaard. He won a Championship with Milan and now everybody looks for "other Desaillys". With France he usually plays as a central defender.

 

Didier Deschamps
October, 15 - 1968, Midfielder
Juventus (Italy)
FRANCE
Group C

A great leader. One of the brightest players around. At the beginning of his career he played as a sweeper for Nantes. Later he turned into a midfielder still precious when his team defends but also able to lead his teammates to attack. His reassuring presence helped Zidane to mature both with Juventus and with France. Many French fans look at them as the new Giresse and Tigana.

Youri Djorkaeff
March, 9 - 1968, Midfielder/Forward
Inter (Italy)
FRANCE
Group C

What happened in Italy to Zidane didn’t happen to Djorkaeff. Youri still struggles both with Inter and with his National Team to find a position that suits him. He always scored lots of goals and many tend to see him as a forward. However he is not a typical forward and he usually gives his best by playing as a midfielder. Very talented and able to score impossible goals, Djorkaeff no longer has to compete with Zidane as he had in the past.

Carlos Dunga
October, 31 - 1963, Midfielder
Jubilo Iwata (Japan)
BRAZIL
Group A

Brazil has Ronaldo, Romario, Bebeto, Edmundo, Denilson, Leonardo, Rivaldo at its disposal but each of them is replaceable for Coach Zagallo. There is just one player Zagallo couldn’t find a replacement for: Dunga. Even being over 30, after playing for Pisa and Fiorentina and after winning the last World Cup as a Captain, Carlos is still the only leader of the Brazilian National Team. Zagallo tried to find some alternatives by lining up players like Cesar Sampaio, Mauro Silva, Flavio Conceicao, Ze Elias and Amaral, but no one of them proved to be as effective as Dunga so far.

torna indietro