French Newspapers Reaction to Ireland World Cup Playoff Draw
20 Oct 2009
In L'Equipe Domenech is quoted as saying that playing Ireland is like
playing the England B team but he did qualify it by saying that the
Irish players all play in England and are known to his players. He and
Sagna also call on the French fans to buy tickets for the home game as
they don't want Irish fans to dominate the stadium as they did in 2004
when 30,000 Irish fans took over the Paris venue.
Also in L'Equipe, the former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit says that the
French should not underestimate the physical commitment of the Irish. He
continues the Irish fighting spirit is legendary and that we don't give up.
He also says that he didn't want the French to draw either Ireland
or Bosnia. He also echoed Domenech and Sagna in saying that he wants the
French fans to come out in force and stop the Irish from taking over the
stadium.
In Le Monde, Gerard Houllier said that the draw was as bad for France as
for Ireland. He again went on to talk of Irelands commitment and physical
strength but if the French show commitment and trust their playing style
then they will go through.
Le Monde also quotes a French football blogger, Jean-Marc Furlan. He says
that Trapattoni has made the Irish very hard to beat but also dangerous as
they proved by scoring 3 times against the Italians in the qualification
process. He also says that the French superiority complex will motivate the
Irish.