BRAZIL v FRANCE - MATCH PREVIEW
Andy Morgan

Brazil - 1st, Group F

Group Statistics: W3 D0 L0 F7 A1 Pts9
Second Round: Brazil 3-0 Ghana
Top Scorers: Ronaldo, 3 (30% of Brazil's goals)
Clean Sheets: 3
Failed to Score: 0
Best World Cup record: Winners 5 times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002
2002 World Cup Record: Winners
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups 18, P91 W66 D11 L14 F201 A83
Interesting Stat: With seventy-four, the Brazilians lag behind only Germany and Spain in the table for number of shots. They also have had most shots on target (forty) going into the Quarter-Final games.

France - 2nd Group G

Group Statistics: W1 D2 L0 F3 A1 Pts5
Second Round: Spain 1-3 France
Top Scorers: Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, 2 (33% of France's goals each)
Clean Sheets: 2
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: Won once, 1998
2002 World Cup Record: Knocked out in group stage
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups 12, P48 W25 D6 L17 F92 A63
Interesting Stat: Thierry Henry has been flagged offside more than any other player in this competition. With eleven separate incidents, he has been flagged offside twice more than his leading contender, Ronaldo.

Match Preview

Introduction

The two finalists of France 98 meet in the quarter-finals of the same competition eight years later with the tables completely turned. France were the favourites in their home country whilst Brazil, with an ailing Ronaldo, were caught on the backfoot through the mastery of Zinedine Zidane.

Brazil now look dormant yet sleek, like a languid tiger that at any minute could pounce. They have not played to their potential in the competition so far but then they haven't needed to, always doing just enough to win the game without over-exerting themselves. This conservation of energy will bode them well against the tougher teams, starting with France in Frankfurt on Saturday night.

After their opening two draws against Switzerland and South Korea it is hard to believe that the French could be in the last eight of this competition. Yet quality always shines through eventually and in Thierry Henry and Zidane they have experienced world-class players. Their display against Spain was nothing short of imperious and if they can take the confidence gained from this then they are more than capable of providing an upset here.

They must however gel more as a team instead of resembling the rabble of world-class players that they have done in their earlier games. This is the big test for France coach Raymond Domenech because if he can instill this sense of unity through his team then Brazil could have a very tricky game on their hands.

Brazil

Midfielders Emerson and Ricardo Kaka trained on Friday in the hope of proving to their coach, Alberto Parreira, that they are fit for the game in Frankfurt. Both are trying to recover from knee injuries sustained in the 3-0 demolition of Ghana in the Second Round.

Emerson's versitility will be strongly missed if he does not play against the French. He will be determined to try and make the game after missing the World Cup Final four years ago with a shoulder injury sustained on the eve of the game.

Emerson is strong on the ball and is the toughest tackling midfielder in the Brazilian squad. With the likes of Zidane and Patrick Vieira in the opposing ranks the South American outfit will benefit from at least some defensive presence in their side.

The media have been raving about Kaka throughout the competition and deservedly so. A more creative midfielder than Emerson, his through-balls can dissect even the best of defences and when he's on the ball he always provides a threat. With fourteen goals in forty-two appearances (including a stunner against Croatia in Brazil's opening Group game) he is also never afraid of taking a shot.

Brazil though have remarkable strength in depth and if these two don't play then expect Juninho Pernambucano and Gilberto Silva to stand in.

Juninho has subsumed Cafu's role as the free-kick specialist for his national side and after a storming season for club side Lyon he has earned his place in the national side. Inventive, decisive and elegant, he epitomises the Brazilian team and with one goal to his name in this tournament so far, he is another significant threat for Brazil.

Arsenal fans will know a great deal about Gilberto Silva and will appreciate the strength of the Brazilian side by the fact that he has been largely overlooked in this tournament. The defensive midfielder has a mature head and considerable experience (thirty-nine caps) that has stood him well for his national side. The unsung hero of their 2002 Cup win he can consider himself unlucky to have missed out in Germany as much as he has done.

Lucio and Robinho make up the walking wounded for Brazil, with both of them expecting to be fit after recovering from thigh strains.

Lucio is the main lynchpin in the heart of defence and has the experience required to subdue a lively French attack. His marking knowledge may be of significant advantage in dealing with Henry but he does have a penchant for galloping forward, often leaving his goalkeeper exposed. Henry's pace therefore may be his biggest undoing.

Robinho did not play against Ghana having suffered a thigh strain two days previously. He has been back in training and is likely to start against France. However he has stiff competition from Adriano who scored the second goal against the African side and will fight for his place against a player who has a weaker scoring record than him.

France

The only possible injury problem in the French squad is a slight scare involving midfield pin-up Zinedine Zidane. He sat out of training on Thursday with a sore foot but is likely to play against Brazil. He scored one of France's three against Spain in what was a glorious display since returning from a one-match suspension.

He has improved as the tournament has gone on and although not back to his glory days, the thirty-four year old can still boss the centre of the park and release Henry through his intelligent and creative passing. If France do get knocked out then this will be Zidane's final ever game and thus certainly the end of an era.

Domenech is likely to start with the same 4-2-3-1 formation that worked so effectively against Spain. This sees Zidane as the main creative spark in midfield feeding Henry who will play as the lone-striker.

A midfield that includes ex-Gunner Patrick Vieira and Chelsea's Claude Makelele can win the ball off the Brazilians and push forward, allowing the creativitiy of Zidane to release Henry.

The pivotal player for the French however may be Marseilles striker Franck Ribery. He is expected to start on the right-hand side of midfield fresh from scoring his first ever goal for his country against Ghana. He was still uncapped when chosen to play in this tournament and has only seven caps to his name. The twenty-three year old has never let his country down when called upon and his performance against Spain has earned him his place against the World Champions. He has pace, energy and confidence that can match that of the Brazilians and aims to be the main thorn in the side of the Brazilian defence.

Overview

Domenech has clearly stated that nothing short of becoming World Champions for the second time in his country's history can be seen as success out of this tournament. He has clearly stated that he does not understand people who say if they lost to Brazil they would have had a good World Cup.

He is confident about his team's chances and does not understand why they are perceived as the underdogs for this tie. This has been echoed by Henry who believes that although they are playing Brazil there is nothing to fear. Believing that if you are going to win the World Cup it's all down to you rather than the opposition, he believes that France can get better and better en route to the Final.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira does not see this game as a revenge match for the 1998 Final, in which Brazil lost 3-0. Juninho has stated that this will be Brazil's toughest game so far because the French defend and attack as a cohesive unit. This has not been totally evident in their earlier games but when it works, like it did against Spain, the French can be ruthless.

Both managers have been under fire by their own media and fans through poor performances and team selections. Yet both of them are in the last eight and, like with England, that is worth remembering.

France can give the Brazilians a good game but there is always an extra gear with the South American outfit and it is hard to see France holding firm in this one. Only two goals conceded in four games is a good defensive record but Brazil should have the quality to cut through them. If Zidane and Ribery can play to their potential then the French have a chance but they are just too weak for the Brazilians. Go for a 2-0 win for the Samba Kings.

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