Patrick Battiston

Patrick Battiston ( born March 12, 1957 in Amneville, Moselle ) is a former French footballer. He was used mostly as a defender.

Club career

Battiston played during his career at FC Metz (1973-1980), AS Saint- Étienne (1980-1983), Bordeaux (1983-1987, 1989-1991) and AS Monaco ( 1987-1989). He has been with the same teams five times French football champions ( 1981 Saint- Étienne, 1984, 1985 and 1987, Bordeaux, 1988, Monaco ) and twice French football Cup winner (1986 and 1987 Bordeaux). With 558 Erstligaeinsätzen he is currently (April 2008) to rank 6 of the list of the French record player.

National players

Battiston was back in the French national football team at the World Championships in 1978, 1982 and 1986. His greatest achievement was winning the 1984 European Football Championship on home soil. Overall, he played 56 international matches and scored 3 goals.

The " affair Schumacher "

Patrick Battiston was known in Germany than in Spain in 1982 came in the so-called Night of Sevilla during the semi-final between France and Germany at the World Cup an incident: When the game score at 1-1, he came on in the 50th minute and received shortly after a long ball through the German goal. Immediately after he had Walk him and shot at the gate, he was jumped by the out-run German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher and brought down. Battiston was unconscious for a short time, suffered a concussion, vertebral injuries and lost two teeth. The Schumacher's action was not sanctioned by the referee. In the 60th minute Battiston has been replaced. Schumacher said after the game about the incident with the words: "Then number ' I gave him his jacket crowns. " Schumacher later explained that he had the set with the jacket crowns, emotionally whipped up by the game course of a century the game, told from relief that not more had happened. Schumacher said that he had not gone after the foul on Battiston, out of fear and uncertainty before the general heated situation. Later, Schumacher apologized to Battiston and was even invited to the wedding.

The image of the " ugly German " went through the French media.

After the end of playing career

Battiston ended his career as an active player in 1991 at Bordeaux. He then worked in various capacities for this club; to date ( 2005) he is responsible for the reserve and amateur teams and leads the junior training center (French Centre de Formation ) of the association.