THE HORRIBLE FAILURE!
— Maurice Pefferkorn | 02/06/1924 —

The miracle we were waiting for with all our heart and nerves did not happen. We sensed its possibility during the first half and at the start of the second. Up until then our team had been dominated scientifically, of course, but they had held on courageously. And it looked like we were going to equalise again, as the start of the second half was clearly in our favour. But a splendid shot by Nicolas failed to find the net, and hope changed sides.

Then ours collapsed. Is it the moral failure that preceded the physical failure, or vice versa? I do not know. The fact remains that during the last half hour we were largely dominated. Gaping holes appeared in our team. Several of our players only played the role of extras and some were frankly ridiculed by the remarkable feints and dribbling of the South Americans who had a field day. Twice again, in the space of a few minutes, they broke through our defence and scored with ease.

It was a disappointing end to the game. It's a painful feeling to see one's own people admit to being beaten and no longer react. The best team won. If ours had played at their best, we would have been beaten nonetheless. We must strongly recognize the superiority of the adversary. But we could hope for a less severe score. We didn't hold up as we should. What is the point of complaining? Nothing, obviously. But we can certainly say, however, that it was not our great team which played at the best of its physical and moral condition.

*   *   *

Does yesterday's match have any lessons? We wouldn't have the courage to say it. But it is certain, however, that it will be increasingly necessary to call on young, ardent and flexible players.

We have some to use and improve which are called, for example, Bloquel and Gross. They are blocked, from the point of view of science, and even this is not certain, by some of the current holders; but they have speed, guts and will. Will we finally want to turn to them and prepare them carefully, while taking care of them?

Yesterday we only had three players who rose to the occasion from start to finish: Domergue, Bonnardel and Nicolas.

I admit that the season is very advanced and that several of our people were tired yesterday. And then the Uruguay players made them travel a lot, tiring them with their repeated passes, their dribbles and their feints.

Finally, yesterday's meeting showed us that France really lacks high-class players in defence. Will we end up finding the full-backs we need? It is up to the clubs to make efforts in this direction.

*   *   *

Let us not end these somewhat disillusioned considerations without again telling the players of Uruguay the admiration we have for their virtuosity and for the splendid demonstrations of football that they offer us.

But let's not aspire to be like them. We persist in thinking that their method cannot be ours. It nevertheless remains true that we will have to take inspiration from their excellent technique. And let us sincerely thank them for the pure emotions they give to our footballing hearts.

We look forward to the moment when they will be pitted against these other masters, the Swedes, athletes in great form. I believe that that day we will be given another opportunity to contemplate an unforgettable spectacle.