|
Makelele on a mission
by Matthew Spiro from Chatel-Saint Denis
| |
|
|
Makelele in training with France (¿Getty Images)
|
Claude Makelele's medal collection may be one of the most
glittering in football but one part of his impressive CV remains surprisingly
bare: he is yet to lay his hands on a trophy with France.
Barren run
Having been a domestic champion with FC Nantes Atlantique, Real Madrid
CF and Chelsea FC, and also lifted the UEFA Champions League with Madrid,
Makelele knows all about winning major prizes. Yet the DR Congo-born midfielder,
who made his debut for Les Bleus in 1995, was overlooked for the triumphant
1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA EURO 2000T campaigns. Having subsequently
tasted defeat in the 2006 World Cup final, he is desperate to end his
barren run. "I'm a competitor and my objective is to win the tournament,"
he said matter-of-factly. "If we play to our strengths, I'm confident
we'll go a long way."
'An amazing talent'
Aside from Gregory Coupet replacing Fabien Barthez in goal, the one significant
change from two years ago is the absence of Zinedine Zidane. It is the
first time France have been without him at a major finals since 1992,
and Makelele admits his former Madrid colleague will be missed. "Before,
nearly all our attacking play went through Zizou," the 35-year-old
said. "He was an amazing talent but now he's gone it's up to all
the players to try to compensate."
'Ribery is Ribery'
Karim Benzema or Nicolas Anelka will take the slot previously occupied
by Zidane in Monday's Group C opener against Romania, although the more
creative Franck Ribery is seen by many as the former captain's true successor.
Makelele, however, is reluctant to be drawn into comparisons, saying:
"Zidane is different to everyone else. [Thierry] Henry and Ribery
have some of his qualities, Benzema and Anelka are big talents, but there's
no point making comparisons. Zidane is Zidane and Ribery is Ribery."
Vieira worry
As France search for a new winning formula in attack, Makelele will look
to ensure the team retains its defensive stability. "Our strength
is the way we defend as a team," he said. "It'll be important
to maintain that solid defensive block, then spring forward whenever we
can." The presence of the experienced anchorman is reassuring for
French fans - especially with Patrick Vieira set to miss the opening match
through injury. Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Jeremy Toulalan may seem
an ideal replacement but Makelele is keeping his fingers crossed that
Vieira returns to full fitness soon. "I hope Pat plays a part because
he's a key player, from a tactical perspective particularly. But if Jeremy
plays, it doesn't change much for me. They have different qualities but
I combine well with both of them. The most important thing is we keep
the same shape."
Euro2008.com,
6 June 2008
|
|
