PARIS, 26 June 2003 — France coach Jacques Santini will rely on experience when the European champions face Turkey in the Confederations Cup semifinals today.
Turkey eliminated world champions Brazil in the biggest upset of the tournament’s first round, and a home defeat would put the French back in the doldrums a year after their dismal World Cup campaign.
“You need victories to build up a team,” Santini told a news conference yesterday.
“With the knockout round this is a new tournament which is starting on Thursday,” he said. “The experience of certain guys can be crucial in this kind of match.”
Reaching the final must be the hosts’ minimum aim as they continue their preparations for next year’s European championship in Portugal. Santini is without a number of influential first-choice players, including midfielders Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele. Santini put his faith in young players during the first round, but will pick his most experienced side for the rest of the tournament.
