Formations

Raymond Domenech will go in with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with Thierry Henry alone up front. Scolari prefers a combative 4-5-1 system with Pauleta as the lone striker.

Experience vs Exuberance

An experienced and wily France — improving with every match — take on Scolari’s boys, an aggressive unit, which would not think twice to use rougharm tactics to unsettle the opposition. It boils down to French experience (‘who have been there, done that’) versus the exuberant Portuguese.

Playmakers’ day

Zizou vs Figo: He woke up one night to answer his nation’s call. Zinedine Zidane was at his super best versus Brazil. The way he clung to the ball, with control and poise, made a cropper of the South Americans. A breach through the Portuguese defence will not be a difficult task for him. On the other hand, the role of Luis Figo for the first time semifinalists assumes greater importance. We have not seen the best of him till now, but he is still good with his crosses and freekicks. He has to produce one magical spell for them to go through to the finals.

Portuguese midfield vs French defence

Portugal’s thrust is their envious midfield formation with Deco, Figo, Ronaldo, Costinha and Maniche forming the core. But they take on the French defence which did not allow one single strike by the Brazilians. Gallas and Thuram pack the centre half of the defence, while Sagnol and Abidal at the ends like to move forward, who have a tough task at hand in restricting the street-smart Ronaldo.

... contd.