France depending on Zidane for survival

When France won the World Cup four years ago, the words "Zidane President" were projected on to the Arc de Triomphe as the team paraded the trophy down the Champs-Elysées.

If the midfielder hauls his country back from the brink of a humiliating surrender of their crown tomorrow, fans in Paris might beam a new message: "Zidane Dieu".

The French have long seen Zinedine Zidane as a worker of wonders, but never will his talents have been under so much scrutiny as against Denmark. Back from the thigh injury that has kept him out so far, the nation will watch to see whether he can rescue a desperate situation. Plan B failed in his absence; plan ZZ needs to succeed now.

Without Zidane, France have drawn blanks against Senegal and Uruguay, taking one point from two matches most thought they could win with their eyes shut. Suddenly the tournament co-favourites need a two-goal victory over Denmark to avoid becoming the first holders to go out of a World Cup at the initial hurdle since Brazil in 1966.

Many French, though, are less than optimistic. After four years of consistent joy, they can barely comprehend that everything could collapse in just 12 days against Senegal, Uruguay and Denmark. The players hope Zidane can bring the needed spark.

"It will be a totally different team," said his Real Madrid club-mate Claude Makelele, who is set to replace the suspended Emmanuel Petit. "We are going to be more inventive in attack and having Zidane with us is a morale boost." The bigger the challenge, the more brilliant Zidane's response tends to be. Think of those two goals against Brazil at the France 98 final; the astonishing power and technique he mustered to win the Champions League for Real Madrid last month.

When the pressure was on at the semi-final of Euro 2000, he tucked away a golden-goal penalty in the 117th minute to see off Portugal. Some might have been distracted by the chaos that delayed the kick as angry Portugal players remonstrated with officials. Not Zizou.

But then the tone was set on his international debut eight years ago. France were losing 2-0 to the Czech Republic when Zidane, a little known 22-year-old, came on as substitute. He scored twice, salvaged a draw and set himself a hard act to follow. These days his pate is balder and his fame bigger but a repeat would do fine.

The question, though, is whether Zidane is fit enough to make the impact France require. Has his thigh fully mended after a tear sustained in a friendly against South Korea 15 days ago, or is he being pressed into action in one last throw of the dice? Zidane resumed normal training on Saturday with his left thigh bandaged. France's doctor, Jean-Marcel Ferret, has said "the muscle could react unfavourably to an exaggerated movement" and added there is no guarantee the 29-year-old will last 90 minutes. Team-mates know Zidane's condition is not perfect.

"His mental strength will make up for his fitness," said the left-back Bixente Lizarazu. "From what I have seen during the training session, he can run. And if he couldn't, we would run for him."

Such is Zidane's value. Youri Djorkaeff and Johan Micoud have tried and failed at this tournament to bring the same invention and leadership, and it has been cruel for France that Robert Pires was ruled out by a knee ligament injury. The Arsenal player possesses the talent to have stepped into Zidane's gargantuan boots.

Yet the damage inflicted on Roger Lemerre's team by Zidane's absence is psychological as well tactical. If opponents gain heart when the two-times world player of the year is missing, it seems also that France feel less dynamic in their own heads.

"Zidane is recovering and his probable presence in the next match is like a sign from Lady Luck," Lizarazu said. The fact that Petit and Thierry Henry are suspended tomorrow, and Frank Leboeuf is doubtful because of a groin injury, apparently matters little by comparison.

Zidane will hardly be short of motivation. This could be his last World Cup and he has not had a chance to make his mark.

With France, Argentina, Italy and Portugal in danger of elimination, this is the week for the big players to step forward. The French would love a repeat of that party on the Champs-Elysées. Over to you, Zizou.