French defence holds firm for nearly 12 months

That is the number of minutes the French have played since conceding their last goal nearly 12 months ago.

Fans talk endlessly about the skill of Thierry Henry up front and the artistry of Zinedine Zidane behind him. Yet it is the defence of the European champions that has proved decisive so often over the past six years.

The names on the team sheet have changed little since the World Cup victory of 1998 -- goalkeeper Fabien Barthez can still rely on centre back Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram to stifle danger.

In 1998 Laurent Blanc partnered Desailly at the back although he missed the final through suspension. Barthez let in only two goals in seven matches, a record for the finals.

Blanc is now retired and age is certainly catching up on the remaining members of that victorious 1998 rearguard -- Barthez is 33, Desailly 35, Lizarazu 34 and Thuram 32.

Desailly will retire from international soccer after Euro 2004 and with a clutch of high-class, younger replacements in the wings it is doubtful whether Lizarazu and Thuram will still be first choices at the 2006 World Cup.

YOUNGER MAN

Goalkeepers tend to go on longer than defenders and Barthez's main rival, Gregory Coupet, is not much younger than the bald-headed acrobat from Olympique Marseille.

Santini stuck with Barthez last season even when he was sitting on the bench at Manchester United.

However, the coach's departure to English premier league club Tottenham Hotspur after Euro 2004 could lead to Barthez being eased aside for a younger man, such as Mickael Landreau.

Coupet, not Barthez, was between the posts the last time France conceded a goal, against Turkey in a 3-2 defeat in the Confederations Cup semi-final when Tuncay Sanli scored in the 48th minute.

Since then France have played 11 matches, both friendlies and European qualifiers, and scored 23 goals.

Their form bodes well for the defence of their European crown although statistics do not offer as much consolation.

The only international run before a major tournament to better that by the French was Italy's in the run-up to the 1974 World Cup when they went 12 games without conceding a goal from October 1972 to June 1974.

Goalkeeper Dino Zoff established a record of 1,143 unbeaten minutes before letting in a goal in the first match of the finals against Haiti.

They beat Haiti 3-1 but a draw with Argentina and a defeat by Poland meant Italy were knocked out in the group stage.