PARIS (AP) — In addition to dealing with accidents to key gamers once more, France has the burden of World Cup historical past to deal with in Qatar.Good luck, Les Bleus.Not since Brazil misplaced the 1998 remaining to France has the defending champion come near retaining the title.Of the subsequent 5 World Cup defending champions, 4 failed to succeed in the knockout stage and three completed final of their group.As World Cup champions in 1998, many favored France to win once more in 2002, particularly with the entrance line that includes high scorers from three main European leagues.France boasted Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, Juventus marksman David Trezeguet and rising expertise Djibril Cisse in a glittering assault mixing pace, ability and energy. However the French flopped and, with an injured Zinedine Zidane unable to carry out correctly in midfield, limped out of the group stage with out profitable a sport.It was one of many best shocks in World Cup historical past, and the warning indicators are chillingly related this time.Defending champion France boasts arguably the most effective assault on this planet with Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema alongside 2018 World Cup star Kylian Mbappe, with both Antoine Griezmann or Olivier Giroud to assist them.Velocity, ability and energy.However, like in 2002, France additionally has issues in midfield, with World Cup winners Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante each out injured, depriving coach Didier Deschamps of his engine room. Central defender Raphael Varane, one other mainstay from 4 years in the past, is making an attempt to get better from a hamstring harm.Right here’s a take a look at the place it went fallacious for France in 2002, Brazil 4 years later in 2006, Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018.FRANCE in 2002What may go fallacious for a France staff with Zidane enjoying behind Henry, Trezeguet and Cisse in a gaggle that includes Senegal, Uruguay and Denmark?The primary mistake coach Roger Lemerre made was selecting Zidane in a warmup towards South Korea 5 days earlier than the match. He limped off with a thigh harm that dominated him out of the primary two group video games, and he was rushed again for the final.France, nevertheless, nonetheless had the core of its victorious staff from 1998. Youri Djorkaeff was within the midfield alongside Patrick Vieira, who had simply received the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal teammate Henry. There was additionally Emmanuel Petit, who had scored within the 3-0 win over Brazil within the final remaining.However within the opening match of 2002, Papa Bouba Diop scored the lone aim for Senegal in a 1-0 win over the defending champions.France’s hopes of bouncing again took a success when Henry was despatched off after 25 minutes for a reckless problem in a 0-0 draw towards Uruguay.That left France needing to beat Denmark by two targets. A strapped-up Zidane did what he may however France misplaced 2-0 and went dwelling in embarrassment.BRAZIL in 2006Brazil boasted a staff full of stars, that includes the showboating brilliance of Ronaldinho; the sharp-shooting of Ronaldo and Adriano; the marauding runs of Cafu, and the swirling long-range free kicks of Juninho. Ronaldinho even had a personalised headband together with his personal preliminary “R” written in gold.There was a way that Brazil could be a little bit overconfident within the quarterfinals towards a France staff that includes a rejuvenated Zidane.And that’s the way in which it turned out.Zidane produced probably the most dazzling midfield performances in World Cup historical past. His unimaginable ability, balletic stability and pirouetting strikes bamboozled Brazil, and his free kick arrange Henry for a volley — the one aim of the match.ITALY in 2010Just like France in 2002, Italy completed on the backside of its group.At the very least the Italians scored — 4 occasions — however the group seemed a bit simpler: Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.Italy made a poor begin and wanted an equalizer from midfielder Daniele De Rossi to get a draw towards Paraguay. Worse adopted for the four-time champions: a 1-1 draw with New Zealand, which took an early lead by means of unheralded ahead Shane Smeltz. Within the remaining group sport, Italy was in tatters and trailed 2-0 towards Slovakia earlier than shedding 3-2.Italy coach Marcello Lippi simply couldn’t appear to get the stability proper, in contrast to in 2006. His staff conceded too simply even with Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini in central protection, and had issues up entrance. Vincenzo Iaquinta, Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella did rating however first-choice striker Alberto Gilardino didn’t.Gilardino had been in good kind with AC Milan that season and was identified for a peculiar aim celebration, sinking to his knees to play the violin.This time, Gilardino had nothing to rejoice.SPAIN in 2014It was fairly the impolite awakening for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after back-to-back main trophies.European champion Spain’s opening sport led to a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands — regardless of a troublesome central defensive pairing of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique and a slick midfield together with Barcelona greats Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.Within the subsequent sport, Spain was unable to cease conceding and misplaced to Chile 2-0 with each targets coming within the first half.A 3-0 win over Australia was scant comfort for a star-studded Spain staff, whose slide symbolized how two golden eras had been coming to an finish. Barcelona’s glory years, which centered across the passing of Xavi and Iniesta, coincided with Spain’s successes at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.GERMANY in 2018So a lot for ruthless Germany, the attacking machine that put seven targets previous Brazil within the semifinals on the earlier World Cup on the way in which to its fourth title.From the outset, Germany struggled in Russia, shedding a scrappy sport 1-0 to Mexico after which needing a aim from midfielder Toni Kroos within the fifth minute of harm time to beat Sweden.That ought to have been sufficient of a wake-up name.Germany wanted to beat South Korea to have a shot at advancing, however as a substitute conceded two targets deep in stoppage time after squandering many possibilities to attain.The loss was met with disbelief again dwelling, a sense acquainted to that star-studded France staff 20 years in the past.___
France faces weight of historical past in bid to retain World Cup
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