Guy Stéphan reflects on 2002 pain before France’s World Cup opener with Senegal | OneFootball

Guy Stéphan, Didier Deschamps’s assistant, enters his 10th major finals as France open against Senegal in New York on Tuesday. He once led the Lions of Teranga, an experience he says still shapes him.

According to L'Équipe, the 1-0 defeat to Senegal on 31 May 2002 in Seoul, when he assisted Roger Lemerre, remains his sorest memory. He said in May it was the toughest of his nine finals.

Before this summer he had nine, eight with France, two under Lemerre and six under Deschamps, plus one as Senegal coach. He knows their set-up well.

His lesson from 2002 is blunt. Past success counts for nothing once a tournament begins, and he felt Senegal’s intensity and impact were superior as France arrived euphoric and too confident.

He sees echoes now, with France among the favourites since the March tour. He notes Deschamps has tried to bring everyone back down to earth, as all start from zero.

At the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, his Senegal reached the quarter-finals then lost to Lemerre’s Tunisia. He admired Lemerre’s bond with players and a temperament capable of galvanising them.

Stéphan, 69, says his Senegal spell broadened his horizons and remains a fond memory. He rates Senegal as Africa’s strongest side at present, knows coach Pape Thiaw well, and is not looking beyond the opener after 17 years with Deschamps.

Source: L'Équipe