French veteran calls for revenge against Germans

PARIS, July 1 (AFP): The present French side can avenge the painful defeats of their predecessors in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup semi-finals when they face Germany in Friday's quarter-final, said Maxime Bossis, who played in both of those games. Bossis, who in between those two losses was an integral part of the French side that won the 1984 European Championship at home, in particular wants revenge for the traumatic defeat in the 1982 finals in Seville.
The game is regarded as among one of the greatest ever at a World Cup finals.
The flair-filled French side-with the magical midfield of Michel Platini, Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana-had seen the Germans storm back to force a penalty shootout after trailing 3-1 in extra-time.
Bossis, one of the pillars of the defence, stepped up to take the fifth of France's penalties with it locked at 4-4 but saw his effort saved by the villain of the match Harald 'Toni' Schumacher.
Schumacher was fortunate to be on the pitch after he knocked out Patrick Battiston-who lost several teeth, cracked ribs and damaged vertebrae-in the first-half with a shoulder charge, but the offence was not seen by the Dutch referee Charles Corver who claimed afterwards he 'was following the ball'.