WORLD CUP 2006
Tunisia Coach Player - Roger Lemerre
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Your opening game, against Saudi Arabia in Munich, looks all-important.
Without any doubt. This is a game we must look to win. If we take the three points, and Spain and Ukraine draw, which is quite possible, we could be on top of the group after the first set of matches. To be in such a position would be a huge psychological boost and give us the confidence to face Spain and Ukraine in the best possible frame of mind.
How do you rate Spain and Ukraine?
As two powerful football nations, who ally creativity with defensive rigour. Both have exceptional individuals, and I won’t pretend to be unconcerned by what a Raul or a Shevchenko could do to us. Spain have a reputation for not doing as well as they should in tournaments but yesterday’s truth is not necessarily today’s.
Can Tunisia qualify for the knockout stages for the first time?
That is our objective. It goes without saying that Spain and Ukraine are the favourites to go through, but
if football has taught me anything it’s that surprises can never be discounted. We have a great deal of prestige to defend in Germany and no one will find us easy meat. We’ll be positive and focused.
This will be Tunisia’s third successive World Cup, and yet they do not enjoy the same high profile in Africa as Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Why?
It’s probably because we don’t have the big names such as Drogba or Eto’o. We have good players but they are not as famous. I don’t feel Tunisia is in any way inferior to other teams in Africa.
What are the strong points of your side?
I have to pay tribute to the character and togetherness the players have shown since I took over. Their commitment has been total. We’ve also developed the sort of tactical discipline a European team would be proud of.
You lost on penalties to Nigeria in this year’s Nations Cup quarter-finals. What lessons did you draw from the tournament?
Overall, I was pleased with our attacking play. We have improved a lot in this area. But defensively we had our weaknesses. I hear people say we should mark man-for-man rather than zonally but that’s a double-edged sword. As far as I’m aware, Auxerre in France are one of the few teams who have had any success lately with individual marking.
Can an African nation ever win a World Cup?
I don’t see why not. I think the whole world expects it to happen at some point. European football is full of talented Africans. Personally, I’ve had a lot of pleasure watching African sides at the World Cup, whether it be Cameroon in Italy or Nigeria at USA 94. Hopefully, this will be Tunisia’s turn.
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