Sport - Football

Men Who Matter: Marcel Desailly

It's the eternal debate in football. Which is more important — offence or defence? The answer has to be the latter. A splendidly fluent attacking force could so easily come apart in the crunch games, if it has holes at the back. The team's bound to be vulnerable.

A side sound at the rear stands a much better, chance for if it can prevent the opponent from scoring, there is always the opportunity of knocking one in on the break. And if a team is exceptionally strong, both at the back and in the midfield, it's going to be an extremely successful one. — Like the contemporary French side.

The World and European champion, France glitters with stars. Yet, for all of Zinedine Zidane's brilliance, and Thierry Henry's speed, the side might not have conquered but for the stunning solidity of centre backs, Laurent Blanc and Marcel Desailly. Two towering figures who often dwarfed the most dreaded of strikers, snuffing out raids and blending beautifully with the midfield.

Blac has since bid adieu; however, Desailly (see picture right) has carried on, an old warrior still on guard. Not for nothing has he been given the sobriquet `The Rock.'

Desailly's exploits in France '98 are fresh in memory. Tall, strong and lithe, his was an imposing presence, often intimidating the rivals. He was impregnable in Euro 2000 too, and has been in wonderful form for Chelsea in English premiership, sending back many an attacker, a frustrated man.

Hailing from Accra, Ghana, Desailly possesses speed that most Africans are so naturally blessed with, enabling him to close out the gaps swiftly. He may not be the most graceful of tacklers; yet, the sheer strength in the man enables him to win a majority of the duels. Desailly is just about adequate in the air, and is seldom ruffled by the situations.

At 33, he is not in his prime, yet the fact that he was named the French skipper suggests he still is a formidable force. Arguably, the most feared centre-back in the football world.

Desailly is a dynamic customer as well, and his goal in the 1993-94 Champion's League final for AC Milan against Barcelona is remembered as one of the finest. Desailly cut through the defence with long, loping strides, and finished a blinding run with a clinical shot that left Zubizaeretta at the goal clasping thin air.

Desailly was then a central midfielder for Milan, and he stepped into rather big shoes as well — that of the Dutch superstar Frank Rijkaard. He clearly relished the challenge, and became an integral part of the celebrated Italian side.

However, France used him as a central defender, and Desailly only grew in stature with every outing for his country.

Along with those matches arrived moments of heady triumphs.`The Rock' continues to be a huge barrier for the raiders. The strongman at the heart of the French defence. — S. Dinakar

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