法國後衛薩尼奧爾在6月16日表示法國隊在世界盃第一場比賽中承受著巨大的壓力，因為他們害怕重蹈2002年世界盃慘敗的覆轍。他説道“0-1輸給塞內加爾的陰影仍然籠罩著法國隊，現在我們已經好多了，我們沒有輸球，我們有了一條可以依賴的後防線，這對於贏得世界盃是非常重要的！”

　　鏈結： http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=371373&cc=4716

　　原文：Sagnol: Les Bleus feared the Ides of 2002

　　HAMELIN, Germany, June 16 (Reuters) - France felt pressure in their World Cup opener because they feared a repeat of their 2002 fiasco, defender Willy Sagnol said on Friday.

　　'You cannot imagine how much tension there was,' Sagnol said of the climate in the team before Tuesday's dull 0-0 Group G draw with Switzerland.

　　The players were nervous because all were thinking about France's shock 1-0 defeat by Senegal in their first match in the finals four years ago, the Bayern Munich defender told reporters.

　　'That failure against Senegal was still on our minds,' he said. 'We feel a lot better now.'

　　After losing to Senegal, France had drawn with Uruguay and lost to Denmark and they were eliminated without a win or a goal from the group stage.

　　'Our situation now is a lot better than in 2002,' Sagnol said. 'We haven't lost and we know we have a strong defence we can rely on. That's vital if you want to win the World Cup.'

　　The 1998 champions must now step up a gear when they face South Korea on Sunday in Leipzig if they are to survive a group also featuring Togo.

　　'We know we must play faster and take more risks but I'm sure we will be more and more competitive,' Sagnol said.

　　The 29-year-old said he had been hurt by media criticism of the team and notably by remarks about the players' age.

　　'If we are a team of pensioners, then AC Milan are good for nothing,' he said.

　　The mood in the team, Sagnol said, was much better than in 2002 and was one of the reasons why France could justifiably feel optimistic.

　　'We enjoy being together and it's getting better all the time,' he said. 'It would take more than a draw with Switzerland to spoil the atmosphere.'

　　Four years ago, France stayed at an impersonal luxury hotel in the centre of Seoul while this time, they are living in a magnificent castle in the northern German countryside.

　　'This is a lot nicer,' Sagnol said. 'In 2002 we felt trapped. We could not go anywhere without bumping into a journalist who would ask us questions.

　　'Here, it's different. Of course we feel lonely at times. You get tired of eating and drinking football and you want to see your kids but that's all right. We know what we're here for.'

　　作者——韓明冰，北京外國語大學英語學院

責編：盧爽