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No Henry?
France's top scorer doubtful for match with Italy
Posted: Wednesday July 01, 1998 07:08 PM
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Henry (12) has scored three goals in the tournament, but is considered uncertain for Friday's match against Italy (AP) |
CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) --
Preparing to face one of the toughest defenses at the World Cup, France may
have to do without top marksman Thierry Henry.
Henry, who has scored three goals in the tournament, nursed a sprained
left ankle Wednesday and is uncertain to make Friday afternoon's kickoff
against Italy
at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
"I don't know whether he can play," said French coach Aime Jacquet of
his 20-year-old forward, who has been the French revelation of the
tournament so far.
Henry sprained the ankle during the second-round victory over Paraguay on
Sunday.
"If I can, I will play," Henry said. "If not, we are not going to take
any risks."
Jacquet, however, will be able to count on star playmaker Zinedine
Zidane, back after sitting out a two-game suspension for kicking an
opponent in France's opening match against Saudi
Arabia.
Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez also put a scare into the team Wednesday
when he abruptly stopped training because of pain to his right thigh. He
was kicked during Sunday's game, but should be OK by Friday.
Midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who left the Paraguay game with a pain in
his right hamstring, is recovering well and should be ready to play
alongside captain Didier Deschamps.
In what is widely expected to be an extremely close game with little
space available, the French hope Zidane will finally start working his
magic.
"I have forgotten everything that has passed, and now I will do the
utmost to continue the French adventure," said Zidane. "Now that I am off
the bench, I will try to give something back."
After earning his red card against the Saudis, the Juventus midfielder
vowed it would not happen again, whatever the provocation. There could be a
few on Friday, when he is expected to be man-marked by either Dino Baggio
or Juventus teammate Gianluca Pessotto.
"Whoever, it will be really tough," Zidane said.
Jacquet is convinced Zidane will not have a second moment of rash
anger.
"He faces provocations in each game," the coach said.
The whole of Italy's defensive strategy will be centered on Zidane,
who has had two sterling seasons in Serie A.
While Zidane is more than match-fit after a two-week forced rest, the
other French players are still recovering from the 114-minute ordeal
against Paraguay. France won 1-0 with the World Cup's first "golden
goal."
"Many suffered badly, but the recovery is going well now," said
Jacquet.
Jacquet lamented the extra day of rest the Italians had at their
disposal. Italy beat Norway 1-0 on
Saturday in just 90 minutes.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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