BRAZIL vs. FRANCE / HOW THEY MATCH UP

By MIKE PENNER

July 12, 1998 12 AM PT

GOALKEEPER

What was that about needing a great goalie to reach the World Cup final? Brazil’s Taffarel and France’s Fabien Barthez entered this tournament as resounding question marks--Taffarel derided as merely a teacher’s pet (Coach Mario Zagallo presiding over a Taffarel Fan Club of one), Barthez a lovable eccentric considerably more lovable when he isn’t France’s last line of World Cup defense. Yet, both have risen to the moment, somewhat surprisingly, with Taffarel saving Brazil in the semifinal penalty shootout with the Netherlands and Barthez earning top keeper of the tournament marks from the French sports daily L’Equipe. Now, that wouldn’t be a homer pick, would it?

EDGE: Brazil

DEFENSE

France had the best back line in the tournament, but that was before sweeper and stabilizer Laurent Blanc was red-carded in the semifinal against Croatia, rendering him ineligible today. Frank LeBoeuf fills in for Blanc. LeBoeuf fits the classic stereotype of the “cultured French defender”--which, translated, means pretty enough to look at, but somewhat lacking in the foxhole. Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram, who scored both goals against Croatia, have arguably been the two best defenders at this World Cup.

Defense is Brazil’s weakness--not so much for inability as impatience. Roberto Carlos is a game-breaking striker trapped inside the body of a left fullback; his charges down the wing into the attack frequently leave the backline vulnerable and Zagallo reaching for an antacid. Statistic worth noting: France has conceded one goal in six games, Brazil has yielded seven.

EDGE: France

MIDFIELD

Zinedine Zidane on this French team is like Michael Jordan on the 1980s pre-Pippen Bulls: So much talent wasted on a nondescript supporting cast. Zidane’s dribbling and passing were nothing short of phenomenal in the quarterfinal against Italy, but with France’s Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight turning those potential assists into punts into the crowd, the match was scoreless for 120 minutes. Captain Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit do well with the dirty work.

Rivaldo and Cesar Sampaio have combined for a half-dozen goals in six games for Brazil, and Leonardo, a hard-running ball-winner, has had a strong tournament. But Brazil’s midfield--the entire team, in fact--hinges on the formidable fulcrum known as Dunga. The fiery Brazil captain, imposing to opponents and teammates alike, controls the pace of the match and fronts the backline, providing the anchor that keeps the rest of the show from spinning out of control.

EDGE: Brazil

FORWARDS

Brazil has Ronaldo, France has a bunch of guys named Youri and Thierry and Stephane.

That’s really all that needs to be said, but Brazil also offers Bebeto, slower but still cagey at 34, and super-sub Denilson. France has tried six players at striker and not one of them has scored since the conclusion of group play.

EDGE: Brazil

OUTLOOK

Brazil is here, as expected, and has yet to play a full 90 minutes up to its supposedly untouchable reputation. France has had a charmed path in this World Cup. Beside the home-field advantage and weak competition in Group C, France lucked into a second-round matchup against Paraguay (instead of either Spain or Nigeria) and a semifinal draw against Croatia (instead of Germany). The luck runs out here. BRAZIL, 2-0.

EDGE: Brazil

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BRAZIL

Coach: Mario Zagallo

No. PLAYER

1. Taffarel

2. Cafu

3. Aldair

4. Junior Baiano

5. Cesar Sampaio

6. Roberto Carlos

7. Giovanni