When these 4 players began matches, France never lost.

Thuram Blanc Desailly Lizarazu (+ Barthez), were the wall with who France won in 1998. Between 1996 and 2000, the four players have been aligned 28 times, never lost and let passed only 13 goals.

Lilian Thuram was on the left corridor. Laurent Blanc was libero, last rampart. Marcel Desailly was the sentinelle. Bixente Lizarazu was the crazy dog, running everywhere, on the right.

If France won the world cup 98 and Euro 2000, that is not just because of Zidane. It’s thanks to this impressive defense, which delivered security, serenity and huge experience (452 selection in total for these players). The first time this defense was aligned was in 1996 june 19th, during Euro. Last chance to see these wonderful players together was in 2000 september 6th à Saint-Denis.

With these players together, France was the ever strongest defense of all times.