Just after participating in Téléfoot live from the pitch of the Merkur Spiel Arena in Düsseldorf, Bixente Lizarazu (54 years old) returned to his hotel, not far from there. Dressed in a leather jacket, he sat down for half an hour with us. With his accomplice Grégoire Margotton, the TF1 commentator, never far away. And never stingy with a bit of amusing banter “this old couple”as they say.
We could almost forget that we have one of the finest records in football against us: world champion (1998) and European champion (2000) with the Blues, winner of the Champions League (2001), the Intercontinental Cup (2001) and German champion six times with Bayern Munich. Before becoming one of the most respected consultants in France. In short, an ideal companion to talk about the France-Belgium this Monday.
Ibrahima Konaté said there was no favorite and it would be 50-50. Which is surprising, seen from Belgium.
“Given recent history, France still has an advantage. But these are two teams that are searching for themselves and are not playing their best football in this tournament. Didier Deschamps has found a defensive balance but two goals scored is too few given the talent up front. He is trying to find the right formula but he hasn’t found it yet.”
The DH amused the Blues before the clash with the Red Devils: “Oh yeah, Thibaut Courtois had a fight with the coach? Explain it to me”
According to certain indiscretions, Deschamps will change system for the third time in four matches in this Euro, with a sort of 4-4-2 diamond.
“We have to make the most of the quality of the attackers and he is right to try. This 4-4-2 could be the solution to finally succeed in finding efficiency. We have chances but we don’t score, like the Belgians. We must put all our executives in the best possible conditions.”
I think we’re going to see some good Mbappé against the Belgians.
Your attacking leaders are first of all Kylian Mbappé, even masked. Are you confident for the rest of his Euro?
“Mbappé, it’s first the story of his nose. I was reassured by what he showed against Poland. His mask did not seem to hinder his movements. He tolerates it better and better. I think we’re going to see some good Mbappé against Belgium.”
Where do you prefer it?
“He is not a central attacker who must be allowed to duel with the central defense. We must offer him space because his greatest asset is his mobility. It was there a few years ago but I liked when he played two up front in Monaco It was with Radamel Falcao, a center forward who took advantage of the spaces and it worked well. can start from the left to come in and open his foot.”
The other attacking key player for the Blues is Griezmann. He is unrecognizable so far. And even a reserve during the last match against Poland.
“Oui, Griezmann lacks freshness since the start of the tournament. We can’t wait to see him get his football back because he’s the only one who makes the link between the midfield and the attack. We clearly need him. Didier Deschamps knows it and that’s why he will return to the starting eleven.”
Afterwards, the Belgian offensive leaders also suffer in this Euro.
“Yes, but I’m still terribly wary of them. If we don’t find solutions against Doku, De Bruyne and Lukaku, they could hurt us a lot. We’ll have to disconnect De Bruyne from the other attackers, not offer depth to Lukaku and double-team Doku. If we leave Koundé alone, it’ll be complicated.”
If we give De Bruyne as much freedom as Kroos has since the start of the tournament, we’re going to struggle.
Does a team like today’s Belgium have to adapt when it faces France?
“Domenico Tedesco knows that Mbappé is up against him and he will clearly adapt. But adapting does not always mean changing the system. We can also make a few adjustments. If you just mark Mbappé individually, you will be beaten in advance. Tedesco will organise double-teams on him. Everyone adapts to the team in front. Well, almost everyone, I don’t understand why Kroos has been given so much freedom since the start of the tournament. In a slightly different position, he is the German De Bruyne and we let him play in peace. Just yesterday (Editor’s note: Saturday) against Denmark. If we do that with De Bruyne, the opponent will struggle.”
The Blues and the Devils have a common problem: the difficulty in finding defensive fullbacks. On the left for Belgium, on the right for France with converted central offices. What does the man who was voted best French left-back in history think?
“It saddens me. I have difficulty understanding that, even if I know that the position is demanding. There are the pistons in the three-way defenses with converted wingers. But full-backs capable of defending and Attacking in a four-at-the-back system is becoming very rare. Finding a complete guy is very difficult. Didier Deschamps found a formula that seems good to me: putting Koundé on the right who defends well but isn’t there. comfortable to overwhelm and Hernandez who is almost the opposite. It gives a nice balance. It’s the same thing with the Devils but in the other direction.
Do you know that many Belgians will watch the match on TF1 to hear what the French are saying about the Devils?
“It’s true (laughs) ?”
If I have been a TF1 consultant for 15 years, it is because I know how to cut football on my bike or on my boat.
Yes, you will be listened to in Belgium. Are you going to pronounce the word “seum” during your comment?
“Oh no. It’s not my style to get involved in this game. I have far too much respect for Belgium to do that. All the Belgians I’ve met in my career and in my life have been charming people. I know we’re trying to heat up this match on Monday a bit, but the Franco-Belgian relationship is magnificent and it must remain so. I know the 2018 semi-final hurt you, but we shouldn’t use the players’ legitimate disappointment at the time to continue to make fun. So no worries for me. Maybe Grégoire (Margotton) will take care of it (laughs) ?”
In two months, it will be exactly fifteen years that you have been a consultant on TF1.
“Oh yes? You’re teaching me that. I’m not the type to look back. I’m very proud of my career but I always think about today. I almost never look at my medals at home. On TF1 , I’m having a lot of fun in a prosperous period for the France team. I’ve still commented on three finals with the Blues since 2016 trying to convey my emotions. It’s a privilege.
Fifteen years as a star consultant in France, how do you stay fresh?
“I think I’ve found the right balance. I watch a lot of football but I also know how to switch off completely at times. I can go cycling in the Pyrenees or take my boat and not think about anything. If you’re constantly focused on football, it’s a washing machine that wears you out very quickly. Being a football consultant is an endurance sport and I’ve managed my efforts well. I also think that my good physical shape helps me to keep going too.”
Lizarazu’s Belgium: “Kompany surprised me, normally we take our time”
Bixente Lizarazu has met a few Belgians during his career. We asked him for a little comment on each one, with a surprise at the end.
Raymond Goethals: “Ah Raymond. I met him in Bordeaux at the beginning of my career. With Jesper Olsen, he called us “the rascals” on the left flank. I have a wonderful memory of Raymond. His jokes, his accent, his lack of concentration. He’s one of the coaches who left his mark on me. He found a trick to not mispronounce my name, he would simply say ‘Liza’. Otherwise, it could have been very, very complicated. (laughs).”
Enzo Scifo : “Also in Bordeaux. It was still the great era of the Girondins. He was a star at the time. I loved his elegance when he played. He was very nice too.”
Patrick Vervoort: “Um… Ah yes Patrick, the blond one. A great guy, very pleasant in the locker room. He was obviously a less big name but a good player in Bordeaux.”
Vincent Kompany : “I haven’t played with him but I guess it’s because of my Bayern Munich ambassador cap (smile) ? I’ll be honest: I was surprised he was named coach.. He has little experience as a coach. Normally, it takes longer to get to this level of club. He is facing a real challenge. Some coaches are precocious and succeed more quickly. I am curious to see in any case.”
The Château du Lac in Lasne: “Aaah, Euro 2000 at home. This was our hotel during the tournament. We had a few parties between the players. We were very strong in this tournament and our whole life in the hotel united the group.”
