CLAIREFONTAINE. France. July 7 (Reuters/ Internet): French captain Didier Deschamps has not forgotten that the man who first made him a leader was Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic,

"It makes me feel a lot Kjnger." Deschamps said on esday. remembering the times when Blazevic. then the Nantes trainer, allowed him to wear the captain's armband for the first time in his professional career.

The pocket-sized midfielder, now the France captain, and the astute coach will meet again when the host nation and Croatia clash on Wednesday at the Stade de France for a place in the World Cup final.

"It was in 1988, Nantes were ambitious and Blazevic was our coach," Deschamps recalled. "Our captain was Loic Amisse but he got injured and Blazevic asked me to take over. 1 was only 18. I was ever so proud."

During his two years at Nantes, from 1988 to 1990. Blazevic had in his team two teenagers who have matured to become prominent members of the French squad -- Deschamps and defender Marcel Desailly.

"What Marcel and I are today has a lot to do with Blazevic." Deschamps said. "We both owe him a great deal."

The two y< mngsters then left Nantes for Marseille before moving to It aly. Deschamps signing for Ji .iventus and Desailly joining AC Milan.

"Blazevic f tas not changed." Deschamps s« lid. "He's still the intelligent, c harming man I knew in Nante s.

"As a coacl I. he's very clever. He knows how to put the players in a comforta ble situation so that they can give their best. You want to sh ow him how good you are. He ta ught me a lot. he told me I shou Id believe in myself."

Deschamps . and Desailly are not the only oi es in the French camp to hav e memories of Blazevic's stay In France.

Coach Aim e Jacquet, who trained Bordea ux from 1980 to 1989, played a gainst Blazevic s side in the Fren ch league.

"We faced e ach other a few times, but onh ' for a brief period." said Jacc |uet. "He knows French footbal I very well, he also knows the French mental ity and that cai i only help him in preparing hi: I match against

Jacquet sai d Croatia had improved treme idously under Blazevic's rule.

"I remember watching them al Euro'96." the French coach said.