Lizarazu (left) - plans to play on to 2004 (Allsport)
LIZARAZU KEEN TO MAKE AMENDS
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Bixente Lizarazu is set to buck the trend of
veteran players quitting international football this summer, by promising to
keep playing for World Cup flops France until Euro 2004.
The 32-year-old left-back confirmed today he will not be joining France
team-mates Frank Leboeuf and Youri Djorkaeff in retiring from the national
team.
Despite the first-round exit of Les Bleus, Lizarazu is sure he can help
restore French pride. He also intends to extend his contract with Bayern
Munich.
"This is not a setback that will chance my convictions nor my desire to
play," he told L'Equipe.
"I am now even more determined to continue with that team. I am fixing myself
until 2004.
"I am linking my future with the French team with that of Bayern.
"The club's managers want me to extend my contract, and we will discuss that
when the training re-starts.
"As for the French national team I know that we can still do beautiful things
- there are a lot of lessons to keep from this failure."
France, bidding to defend their crown, crashed out in the first phase with
justone point from three matches.
"We were probably not collectively as good as in 1998," Lizarazu conceded.
"Talent-wise we were superior, but collectively there was less of a link
between the different positions, between the defence and attack."
He added: "Everyone also has to learn how to be more responsible, more mature
and act more as leaders.
"Those who were so in 1998 have to learn how to be true leaders, starting
with Patrick Vieira.
"Players like Titi (Henry) or David (Trezeguet) are not kids any more and
have a role to play.
"If this team rediscovers its collective values, lots of good things will
happen."
Lizarazu claims the French went to the Far East with too much confidence,
believing a title defence was well within their capabilities.
"What hurt us the most were games against Scotland (5-0), Portugal (4-0) and
Japan (5-0). They were too easy," he said.
"They became reference matches and that was a mistake because they had
nothing to do with top-level football.
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