HAMELN, Germany -- France faces a major rebuilding program
in the wake of Zinedine Zidane's retirement, whether or not the
team wins the World Cup on Sunday.
Zidane previously announced he will retire after the World Cup,
while 34-year-old defender Lilian Thuram and 33-year-old midfielder
Claude Makelele will leave the national team after the final
against Italy.
Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who is 35, might also retire.
France coach Raymond Domenech hopes that will serve as extra
motivation for one last reach for glory.
"If the players think about this and want to surpass
themselves, then so much the better," Domenech said. "Everyone
will do that little bit more for Zizou, Lilian, Makelele and all
those that announced their retirement."
Domenech said such veterans bring "calm and serenity" to the
team, but their departure will leave rebuilding work and not much
time to do it ahead of qualifying for the 2008 European
Championship.
France better be ready quick, because Italy visits Stade de
France on Sept. 6.
"There will still be other players around," France defender
Willy Sagnol said Friday. "Who will be there to face the same
responsibilities, the same criticisms?"
Asked who would fill the void, and who could become the new
leaders on the team, Sagnol appeared evasive.
"I don't want to bring up this issue ... at least, not now,"
he said.
Domenech is likely to remain in charge after taking over two
years ago. He initially had to rebuild after Zidane, Thuram and
Makelele announced their retirements following France's
quarterfinal exit to Greece at the 2004 Europeans. All three came
back a year later to help France qualify for the World Cup, but
this time Zidane and friends leave for good.
Sagnol, who is close with Zidane, spoke of the inspiration the
players feel around Zidane and other members of the 1998 World Cup
champs.
"Zidane has a special quality of leadership, so does Lilian
(Thuram) and Fabien (Barthez)," Sagnol said. "They are guides who
we are happy to follow."
Zidane will make his 108th and final international appearance
for Les Bleus on Sunday, Thuram will extend his French record to
121 caps and Makelele will gain his 50th.
France's defense appears the least of Domenech's worries. Under
Domenech, Les Bleus have tinkered with several formations and still
allowed only 12 goals in 27 matches.
Sagnol, William Gallas and Eric Abidal should be around for a
few more years.
Thuram's absence, however, leaves Gallas needing a new partner
in the center of defense, with Jean-Alain Boumsong likely to get
the nod ahead of Philippe Mexes, Gael Givet or Sebastien Squillaci.
Givet and Squillaci were regulars in the early part of Domenech's
tenure.
Should Barthez step aside, as he is thought likely to do,
Gregory Coupet will be the first choice, with Mickael Landreau in
reserve. Coupet had an outstanding season for Lyon, and many
critics felt he should have been picked ahead of Barthez.
With Zidane gone, the captain's armband goes to Patrick Vieira.
Vieira has had a strong tournament, knocking in two goals and
protecting the defense with some crisp tackling. He will sorely
miss Makelele alongside him, but Alou Diarra has shown in brief but
impressive appearances that he can perform the midfield holding
role.
Jeremy Toulalan is one for the future, and could soon win his
first cap.
But replacing Zidane appears an impossible and pointless task.
"When you see what Zidane is doing at 34 years old, it is
incredible," Sagnol said. "We want to do all we can to make sure
he and the others go out on a high note, with a victory."
One of the world's best players for the last 10 years, Zidane is
peerless as a midfield playmaker.
France does not have anyone of his ilk coming through the ranks,
and Johan Micoud appears out of the running at 32 and after
criticizing Domenech for not calling him into the World Cup squad.