951 Starting Lineup

The fans and media focused their attention on those footballers from France with attacking flair, as their goals and assists brought upon excitement to the fans. However, people who really understood football knew that the key to France's winning streak was not Benzema or Gourcuff, but the little black man in midfield with not many eye-catching moments--Lassana Diarra.

Diarra was 31 years old and in his prime now. To him, this European Championship was his best chance of winning an international honor. However, to do that, there was someone that he could not avoid.