Patrick Battiston
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Patrick Battiston (born March 12, 1957 in Amnéville, Moselle) is a former French football player.
Career
Battiston began his career at lower league club Talange (1966-1973), before he was spotted and purchased by FC Metz (1973-1980). After seven years at that club, he moved to Saint-Etienne (1980-1983) for three years, where they won the 1981 Division 1 title, before moving to Bordeaux(1983-1987), where they won the 1984, 1985 and 1987 league titles and two Coupe de Frances. Battiston then moved on to Monaco (1987-1989), where they won the 1988 league title, before he returned to Bordeaux (1989-1991). Battiston earned 56 caps for his national side, scoring three goals. He represented France in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and helped France to their victory in the 1984 European Football Championship.
Battle of Seville
Battiston is particularly remembered for the 1982 FIFA World Cup semi final in Seville, when France faced West Germany. Having come on in the second half, after ten minutes of play following a through ball Battiston was clear through the German defence, racing towards goal. As Battiston teed up the shot, it was almost certain he would score. The German goalkeeper, Harald Schumacher, made the shot the least of his worries and raced towards Battiston as he took the shot. The shot was inches wide of the goal, but Schumacher was not going for the ball. Schumacher launched an upper-cutting elbow into the face of Battiston. Battiston, clattered, fell to the ground unconscious, with damaged vertebrae and teeth knocked out. Amazingly the referee gave no foul or caution, and Schumacher got away with one of the most appalling and blatant fouls in professional football. Schumacher then proceeded to line up the goal kick, complaining to the referee about how long the medical team were taking to stretcher Battiston off, and later taunting French fans about the incident.Career Stats
| 1981, | Won Division 1 |
| 1982, | World Cup Semifinalist (3rd) |
| 1984, | Won Division 1 Won European Football Championship |
| 1985, | Won Division 1 |
| 1986, | Won Coupe de France World Cup Semifinalist (4th) |
| 1987, | Won Division 1 Won Coupe de France |
| 1988, | Won Division 1 |
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