Vieira On Micoud : "He Was Our Example"

First Team
Monday, 06.03.2006 / 09:02

In the Champions League first leg, they met again for the first time in years. Johan Micoud and Patrick Vieira. The two know each other having both learned their trade at AS Cannes and then later played together in the French national team.

In the Champions League first leg, they met again for the first time in years. Johan Micoud and Patrick Vieira. The two know each other having both learned their trade at AS Cannes and then later played together in the French national team. Despite losing the first leg 3:2 to Werder Bremen and watching Micoud snatch the winning goal, Vieira expects to reach the quarter final with Juventus Turin. Prior to the potentially explosive midfield clash between the two on Tuesday night, werder.de spoke to the two friends.

 

Patrick, where are Joes strength's?

VIEIRA: I was always fascinated by how he reads the game. I has a feeling for when something special is neccessary. He always seems to catch on to the situation a tick before the rest. He is a player who can really put his stamp on the game, just with his presence he has great influence on a match. He is also the kind of player who can really move the ball around.

 

Joe, what does Patrick have to offer?

MICOUD: Naturally his great strength lies in the defence. He's a really strong tackler and can hold the ball. But we shouldn't forget that he's very good on the ball. He can switch to attack mode quickly and offer his team the extra man in attack.

 

Which of you made the leap to professional football quickest?

VIEIRA: I'm younger than Joe and when I went to Cannes Joe was already with the professionals. I was in the reserve team. Joe was a real example to us - he had a lot of charisma, even back then. He was the boy who made it.

MICOUD: Patrick, as many young players back then, had a lot of potential. It was clear early on that he had quality but you can never tell if a player can convert that into action. Patrick developed well, he made it.

 

You have both been quoted as saying your coach back then, Guy Lacombe (now Paris St. Germain) was of the utmost importance. What did he do with you in the youth team?

VIEIRA: Yeah, Guy Lacombe really guided me. He is probably the one who first made me aware of my own qualities. The game itself was always most important for his im training. The sessions were always very lively and he had a very attacking mentality.

MICOUD: He was very important for me too. He taught me that you can achieve anything with hard work.

 

On Tuesday you will see each other again for the second leg of the Champions League second round second leg tie. What do you wish for the future?

VIEIRA: (laughing) I wish Joe all the best for the future, especially in the championship...

MICOUD: (also laughing) I wish himn all the best for the championship too but in my opinion Juve can't slip up now. In the Champions League a little less effevtivity from them would be in our favour.

 

Translation: Johnnie Muldoon

Interviews: Damien Mollard

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