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France: Domenech warns against euphoria after Zidane return [Fri Aug 26th, 2005]
Marseille (Reuters) - Coach Raymond Domenech has told fans to temper their euphoria about France's chances of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup following the return of Zinedine Zidane.
Playmaker Zidane came out of international retirement last week and scored a goal in the 3-0 friendly defeat of Ivory Coast.
"Two months ago we were hardly good enough for the trash can," Domenech said. "And today everyone considers there is no doubt about our (2006) qualification.
"As far as I know we haven't taken any extra points in our campaign. My duty is to make sure that no one gets carried away. We must be careful to avoid a dangerous and worthless euphoria."
France have struggled in their World Cup qualifying campaign and are fourth in Group Four ahead of matches against Faroe Islands and Ireland in early September.
The returns of Zidane, midfielder Claude Makelele and defender Lilian Thuram have brought back steel and balance to the squad.
The French looked much more at ease against Ivory Coast and sealed their most convincing victory since Domenech took over from Jacques Santini as coach in July 2004.
"I did everything I could to have them back in the squad," Domenech. "I refused to set up this farewell match everybody was asking for. Had I done that, they would have never come back."
The coach said Zidane, Makelele and Thuram had needed time to get over the disappointment of France's elimination in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004.
"It was impossible to have them back before. They were tired, exhausted, they needed a break," he said. "Asking them to come back earlier would have led to a split."
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