I don't think there will be any problem with motivation. If anything, those two events will make them more motivated. The two of them on a personal level and the rest of the team to aid Zidane in retiring on a high note. Plus, the WC should provide all the motivation one needs.
However, they aren't as talented as they were 5-8 years ago. I think they are out in the first or second knockout rounds, not sure who their group is paired with in the round of 16.
However, they aren't as talented as they were 5-8 years ago. I think they are out in the first or second knockout rounds, not sure who their group is paired with in the round of 16.
If the French do make it out of group play they are looking at two teams from Group H as potential round of sixteen opponents. Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine are the candidates.
France is defintely not the squad they were from their World Cup and European Championship winning campaigns. And I definitely wouldn't be too confident with Barthez back there, but they should have enough to get out of Group G, and should be favored.
That being said they should match up well with any of the group H opponents they run into in the knockout round. But that would be about it because Brazil or the Czech Repulic loom in the quarterfinals.
France is defintely not the squad they were from their World Cup and European Championship winning campaigns. And I definitely wouldn't be too confident with Barthez back there, but they should have enough to get out of Group G, and should be favored.
That being said they should match up well with any of the group H opponents they run into in the knockout round. But that would be about it because Brazil or the Czech Repulic loom in the quarterfinals.
What Barthez did 6 and 8 years ago is irrelevant to the present and he has been far inferior to Coupet of late. Personally, I don't care. I also don't think Barthez was ever very good notwithstanding being Euro and World Champion. Taffarel was WC champ without making a save until the final in '94.
