France 1982-86 France, WC Semi-Final 1982
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Coach: Michel Hidalgo
Achievements: European Champions 1984 Key Players: Platini, Tigana, Giresse, Fernandez, Amoros, Tresor Star Player: Platini Formation: 4-4-2 The 1982 World Cup was blessed with three great teams. Like the Brazil team of that tournament the French also had one of the greatest midfields of all time: 'the magic square'.They played a narrow midefield with attacking full-backs, and were perhaps slightly lacking in the quality of the strikeforce. Platini was the star here, as he would be again in 1986 but Tigana and Giresse also made their mark. By 1984 the nicely balanced quartet was completed with addition of defensive midfielder Luis Fernandez. 1984 was their finest hour, when the team won the European Championships. Despite the addition of Fernandez, the team had lost the defensive talents of Amoros and Tresor by this point, so it was difficult to say which was the better side. As in 1982 the French went out to the Germans again in 1986, despite playing some brilliant football.  Framce 1982 |
