Old problem returns to haunt France

THE news that French coach Roger Lemerre has called up Monaco striker David Trezeguet for tomorrow night's European Championship Group Four game against Armenia in Paris will bring a wry smile to anyone who followed last summer's World Cup finals. In the wake of a 0-0 draw with the Ukraine at the Stade de France on Saturday night, French coach Lemerre not only finds himself trailing the Ukrainians by two points in the group but has also rediscovered a problem with which his World Cup winning predecessor, Aime Jacquet, was all too familiar. Namely, that France have a chronic lack of firepower up front.

For much of their triumphant World Cup campaign, Aime Jacquet's side were insuperable in defence, hard-working yet creative in midfield but truly appalling in attack. So it was last Saturday night when a Ukraine side that had obviously set out to contain the damages were aided and abetted in this intent by the failure of French frontmen, Christophe Dugarry, Nicola Anelka and Youri Djorkaeff to take the few chances that came their way.

With Barcelona defender Bixente Lizarazu ruled out of tomorrow night's game by a knock to his left knee, picked up during Saturday night's draw, new coach Lemerre had to call in a replacement. Given the not exactly intimidating prospect of playing Armenia at home, then Lemerre's logical choice was to replace the injured defender with a striker. The fact that Trezeguet signalled a return to his best form by scoring all of France's goals in a 4-0 Under-21 win against the Ukraine on Friday night just about made him the certain choice as replacement.

One can only hope that on his return to the French side, Trezeguet will improve on the dire form shown during last summer's finals when, in common with the other French strikers, he seemed so crippled by stage-fright that Aime Jacquet, after giving him 114 minutes of a chance in the second round game with Paraguay, eventually relegated him to the subs' bench, using him for just 22 minutes against Croatia in the semi-final and not at all against Brazil in the final.

Against the Ukraine last Saturday night, France were admittedly not helped much by the injury enforced absence of their inspirational midfielder, European Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane, still recovering from a twisted knee picked up during the 1-1 Champions League draw two weeks ago between Juventus and Greek side Olympiakos.

Although it was initially suggested that Zidane's knee injury would rule him out for at least three weeks, the most recent reports from France indicate not only that the injury was not as serious as first imagined but also that Zidane may even turn out for France tomorrow night. (Manchester United fans take note - it would now seem that Zidane will, after all, be fit to play for Juventus in next week's Champions League first leg, semi-final tie against United at Old Trafford).

While the French will clearly welcome back Zidane his teammate and close friend, striker Dugarry, the Olympique Marseilles player who "grew up" with Zidane at Bordeaux, argues that France should be able to survive without him, saying:

"If Zizou (Zidane) had been there (against the Ukraine), especially in the first half, he could have given us that bit more vision . . . But Zidane is not the entire French team and we have to know how to play without him. In any case, we can still go and win in Ukraine (in September). That's when the whole qualification issue will be settled."

Without Zidane, France dominated but failed to score. Having made the running for most of the match, the French faded towards the end and it took two splendid saves from World Cup hero Fabien Barthez to save an embarrassing defeat as the Ukrainians struck back on the counter-attack with the Dynamo Kiev pair Andriy Shevchenko and Sergui Rebrov outwitting the French on two occasions.

Intriguingly, the Ukraine coach, Jozsef Szabo, was not unduly surprised by his side's good showing, saying afterwards:

"There was nothing surprising in our performance . . . our players are accustomed to the top level even if, psychologically, a draw in France can only do them good."

Having already beaten Russia at home and drawn away to France, his side are now on target for qualification, having taken points off their two biggest rivals. (Russia, by the way, registered their first, Group win when defeating Armenia 3-0 in Erevan on Saturday).

Having been held to draws by Iceland (yes, Iceland) and now the Ukraine, as well as registering away wins against both Russia and Armenia, France are just that bit off the pace. A win tomorrow night will do them no harm, while goals from Trezeguet might break a psychological barrier and see the side finally find a goalscorer Over to you, David . . .