Via Sport & Style

ZINEDINE ZIDANE, LAURENT BLANC AND ARSENE WENGER. A DREAM CAST. IN GENEVA, LIKE A MOVIE, SPORT & STYLE AND THE WATCHMAKER IWC BROUGHT TOGETHER THREE LEGENDS OF FRENCH FOOTBALL. THE IDEA? STOP TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE GAME, FRIENDSHIP, BLUES, LIFE.

That morning, in the quiet lounges for the Geneva hotel The Richmond, the machine back in time in full operation. On the sidelines of the International Exhibition of Fine Watchmaking, where the trio makes a pilgrimage each year under the auspices of the IWC house, these three superstars have accepted the invitation of Sport & Style. Attracted like a magnet by the flavors of this game madeleine, Laurent Blanc likes to mimic the Brazilian breeders. In two stages and three movements, it redials - smile - game strategy auriverde: a goalkeeper, a defender and nine players in attack. Arsene Wenger laughs. And sets out to reconstruct illico the tactical scheme of the France team of punching balls. Arsenal manager then makes the choice of security: a goalkeeper, nine defensemen and one striker. General laughter.

“The guys up front alone, it’s Karim Benzema” , slides Laurent Blanc. “We’ll need him to score goals. At the same time, alone in front, it will not be cotton. This is what might be called the great loneliness of the modern striker. ” A little aside, as always, Zinedine Zidane said nothing, as if inwardly reliving the final of 1998. He observes and Arsene Laurent a watchful eye, almost remote. His hand rests gently on the table, as if to ascertain its reality, touch wood, this false stroke lawn returns to his childhood when he only played on grass stabilized earth neighborhoods north of Marseille. He then takes a small player in his hand and grabs the ball, no bigger than a ball. Kick for Les Blues. Zizou is still silent. Everyone stopped talking. His eyes are fixed on the ball and the opposing goal. In front, the guard is still, as unperturbed as a tin soldier. In a flick, Zizou propels the little ball into the net with such force that the cage is dropped. Laurent Blanc and Arsene Wenger in a knowing look. A zero for the France team. Zizou laughs. Laughter, yet.

 (Via soccer-in-heels)

I always appreciate it when three of the wiser figures in football get together for a casual discussion about absolutely anything. You can watch the Making Of video here…