Ribery: We Miss Zizou

Bayern Munich star Ribery, who will eventually be tasked with the role of replacing Zidane as the talisman of the French team, admits that the presence of Zidane could have prevented his side’s terrible start to Euro 2008.

"He would take the ball and go and score three goals," Ribery told Reuters as the team prepared for Tuesday's Group C decider against Italy.

"His presence would do everybody a lot of good. We all miss Zizou.

"In difficult situations like the one we're in now you can't help thinking about what a player like him could bring."

Zidane retired from all Football after his infamous head-butt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final defeat by Italy.

Goalkeeper Coupet said Zidane's retirement was one of the reasons why France, thrashed 4-1 by Netherlands on Friday after drawing 0-0 with Romania on Monday, were toiling at these finals.

"We lost a great captain," said Coupet. "It's not easy to replace the best player in the world.

"We're trying to rebuild a group without him. That's part of our problem."

To scramble into the quarter-finals, France need to beat Italy and hope Romania do not overcome the Dutch in Berne on Tuesday.

France, nicknamed the 'Brazilians of Europe' in the 1980s, had to wait more than 10 years to re-establish themselves as a force after their other all-time great Michel Platini retired in 1987.

Zidane then came along and a golden decade started, as displayed by the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs.

Ribery added that France must show no fear against the world champions in Zurich if they are to stand any chance of progression.

"We must not be afraid," he stated. "We're not dead yet."

Chris Myson, Goal.com