Former French coach Domenech was interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport and recalled his coaching experience during the 2006 World Cup and beyond. Are you still angry with Zidane now? "If you know him as a person, you know that something like this...
Former French coach Domenech was interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport and recalled his coaching experience during the 2006 World Cup and beyond.
Are you still angry with Zidane now?
"If you know him as a person, you know that something like this might happen, but sometimes I still wonder why he did that. However, Vieira's injury has a greater impact on us, but these are things in the past."
Still insist that the French team did not fail in that game?
"FIFA also considered it a draw. Many people said it was the most exciting World Cup. I have no regrets about it. We were the favorites, and Italy only showed their pride in ten minutes after Zidane scored. That goal came too early."
Talking about Materazzi
"He was the protagonist of that final. He made a penalty kick, equalized the score, and allowed Zidane to be sent off. You can ask for more. ? "
When he led the team against Italy for the first time in 1994, France U21 lost in the penalty shootout in the European Youth Championship semi-finals...
"You keep committing fouls and the referee turns a blind eye. It is simply outrageous. In the end, nine Italians faced off, but happily entered the penalty shootout. This seems to be your tradition, especially for me..."
In another National Youth Team game in 1999, France lost 1-2 to Italy, and you were banned by UEFA for accusing the opponent of bribing referees in 2007...
"We were indeed cheated, but I don't understand why the Italian media targeted me. I was dissatisfied with the Portuguese referee, who unfairly sent off our players and canceled an effective goal for Henry. A few years later, the 'Calciopoli' incident was revealed and many people were convicted."
Now add Italy, coached by Tusso, needs to go through the play-offs to enter the World Cup...
"This makes me laugh, I know what this means, the game will be full of tension. I watched the Italy game against Israel, Donnarumma saved you, you played very poorly, and some people actually criticized the French team."
In the European preliminaries after the 2006 World Cup final, France defeated Italy 3-1. Was that a revenge game?
"The game in Berlin was the most important, but we proved that we can beat the world champions even without Zidane. I should have left after that victory, but I hoped to win the European Cup."
In the 2008 European Cup, after France was eliminated by Italy, you proposed to your wife at a press conference?
"After the game, reporters asked me about my next plan, and I replied that I would get married during the holidays. This was my heartfelt answer, but not everyone can understand it."
Clarifying the rumors of recruiting players based on their zodiac signs
"The question itself is funny. I have never done such a thing in the national team, just as I never pay attention to which players the reporters recommend me to recruit. However, When I was coaching in Lyon, I did put the Scorpio players together to avoid conflicts. "
Talking about superstition
"It's more of a self-suggestion. Before the European Cup, I saw the Italian flag in the hotel because there were many Italian fans around. During the 2006 World Cup, I injured my calf, but I kept running. Finished. By the time I got to the pitch, I was exhausted, and that was all a sign. "
Talking about taking players to the theater
"Life is not just about football. I have always attached great importance to the role of an educator. This is one of the reasons why I am more suitable to be the U21 coach. Before the game, I let the players speak to the team and arrange the lineup. This can be seen in training. Looking back now, I feel like I was a pioneer. Back in 1984, I had psychologists on my team. "
Talking about the conflicts in the French team's locker room in 2010
"This is a failure in organization, power and responsibility. We lack individual and collective wisdom. I made a mistake in recruiting players, I should have left Anelka or Gourcuff at home. Although on the surface everything seemed to be going well until the very end. "
