France midfielder Patrick Vieira confirmed that captain Zinedine Zidane will be available to face Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final in Frankfurt on Saturday. The 34-year-old had missed a Thursday training session due to a leg injury sustained during France's 3-1 second-round win over Spain, but returned to full training with the squad on Friday.
Vieira, 30, who scored alongside Zidane in the Spain match, stressed that France must bring the same disciplined, patient approach to the Brazil game. "We must have the same spirit and organisation that we had against Spain," he said.
The squad selection is expected to remain unchanged from the Spain lineup. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is set to make his 15th World Cup finals appearance, which would tie a French record currently held by Maxime Bossis.
Coach Raymond Domenech, 54, declined to confirm his starting XI, saying only that all 23 players would be fit by Saturday. Domenech has been guarded about team selections since two French newspapers published his preferred lineup ahead of the opening group match against Switzerland.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.