IT SAYS MUCH ABOUT the parlous state of France’s World Cup campaign that their hopes of beating South Korea tomorrow rest with a player who has recently recovered from piles. With their eight-year itch without a goal showing no signs of ending in their opening game against Switzerland, Raymond Domenech will move to a more attacking formation including Louis Saha and Florent Malouda, who until this week was hobbling around with haemorrhoids.
Malouda, an all-action midfield player who had an outstanding season for Lyons, was primed to make his World Cup debut at the start of the tournament before the condition developed after France’s final warm-up game against China. However, having had laser surgery last week, the 26-year-old is happy to relate that the problem is behind him.
“Sitting out that first game has made me more determined to make a mark this time,” Malouda said. “I have so much energy and excitement in my legs and just want to play. This is the chance of a lifetime for me to play in the World Cup, so I’m desperate to play and desperate to win.
“It’s the first time I’ve had anything like this but it’s behind me now. I didn’t anticipate ever having a problem like that, but there you go. It wasn’t a problem during the game against China, but afterwards it became clear very quickly there was a problem. I’m rested and looking forward to playing again.”
With his athleticism and youthful zest, much of France is looking forward to seeing Malouda play, particularly Thierry Henry, who was so scathing about the efforts of his temporary replacement, Franck Ribéry. Domenech is hoping that his energy will give his ageing team a greater goal threat.
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“When we have the ball I’m charged with starting attacks, bringing it forward, but I also have defensive duties,” Malouda said. “It’s not Claude Makelele who is only out there to win the ball, it may also fall to me and Patrick (Vieira), but I also have to be offensive. I don’t know if my presence will help liberate (Zinédine) Zidane, give him time and space, but I hope it would. Maybe that’s a bit presumptuous.”
France’s status as a genuine footballing power also appears similarly presumptuous, although Malouda is confident that, after an eight-year wait, the goals will come against South Korea.
“We’ve certainly got the quality in the team to score goals,” he said. “We managed it through all our preparations and friendly games, so people cannot accuse us of not having firepower. People should also not overreact. There are three matches in qualification and we’ve only played the first.”
Malouda accepts that the negative reaction in France was justified, but Willy Sagnol is less well disposed to criticism. In a strongly worded attack, the Bayern Munich defender yesterday raged against the French press, suggesting signs of yet another division in the camp.
“I’ll only take criticism from those who know what they are talking about,” Sagnol said. “We don’t really pay attention to the critics, only people who have the relevant experience. I don’t give a damn about what journalists say. I put newspapers in the dustbin. Just criticising people is easy. We still have World Cup winners in our squad.”