Michel Platini ratings in France (Etoiles France Football)

Let's have a trip all along Michel Platini's career in France with his ratings in France Football.

***

Some notes :

- I can't provide the overall Etoiles FF rankings.

- That is league football only (Championnat de France de Première Division or de Seconde Division). Division 1 if not stated. Division 2 in 1974/1975...

- I keep the French abbreviation for J-10 etc. (J = journée = match day).

- The score of his club will appear first, that is for home games or away games.

- The starting formations and positions are transcribed as proposed by France Football, i.e. the best thing to do as they're just right, i.e comprehensible.

- It's not the time to launch a discussion about tactics but I have to precise one thing : in a 4-3-3 formation, it is reflected in terms of zones on the pitch and the three players (ordered from right to left) are on the same line, so I will use the abbreviations RM, CM and LM (well, RM will never occur. It could have been for Giresse though, for instance). So you won't be surprised to see 'CM' starting to appear at one point.
In conclusion, it is depicted in terms of starting positions "from a geographical point of view" so to speak, not of roles.

- The description for the goals will be added in case there's a short report to start with, and if these short reports describe them, naturally. It is rare.

- These reports, as well as some rare assists rankings that we can see for the period 1977-1979, could allow to spot some assists. For more clarity it will be noted at the end of each posts (it will occur for the first time in 1975/76). By the way, I won't precise it, when it's impossible he had one (and, in a first time too, I won't use videos, that is to describe his goals or to find assists.
Is that basically, I'm ready to post it all in one go, but I'll do a pause in '76 as well as in '79.

- The link below leads to his overall stats and results in career and to the final tables of each season (amongst other things).


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Michel Platini was born on June 21st, 1955 in Jœuf (région Lorraine, département Meurthe-et-Moselle).

He played his first league game on May 2nd, 1973, in Nancy, against Nîmes Olympique (vice-champion '72 and most of all reputed to be a tough team).

 

1972/1973

Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL).
Rank in the League : 6th.
5 games/ 2 goals.
Average rating : 3,5
Highest rating : 5 *, 1x (J-36 v Lyon).

J-34 : 3 * v Nîmes, 2-1. LW in a 4-2-4. His first game as a professional player.
J-35 : 3 * at Sedan, 0-1. LW in a 4-2-4.
J-36 : 5 * v Lyon, 4-1. 2 goals. LW in a 4-2-4.
J-37 : 3 * at Bastia 1-3. Subbed in at the 22nd minute instead of a defender. 4-2-4.
J-38 : not rated v Paris FC. Subbed in at the 73rd minute for Florès, IF in a 4-2-4. By the way, there's a printing error (some players are named twice here, Kuzowski is missing and the substitutions do not appear in these reports).


Note 1 : Platini got injured early in the season with the reserve team, in D3 (against Strasbourg) : fracture of malleolus. Some days before he had just recorded a hat-trick. He already got injured several times before this season.

Note 2 : Michel Platini made his professional debut by the end of the season, when the usual starter with the number 11, Kuzowski, was injured (Platini stood in the squad as the 12th man, once Kuzowski was back).

It was planned that he doesn't make his debuts with the first team too early but without these physical problems, perhaps it would not have been delayed that much?

Note 3 : Platini would become the successor for the Argentine inside forward Eduardo Flores in a first time (born in 1944, Libertadores winner with Estudiantes, who will decide to leave Nancy to Toulouse in Oct. '73 after his unique season in Lorraine) then for Flores' countryman and most of the time partner in the centre of the attack, Raul Castronovo (born in 1949, Libertadores top scorer with Peñarol '71, who will leave Nancy to Malaga for the 1974-1975 season and make all the rest of his career in Spain). In peole's mind, he will be the successor for Castronovo, more especially (longer stint at Nancy).

Florès (Libertadores winner with Estudiantes) worn the numbers 8 then 10 (was an elegant playmaker, who's the strongest asset was not to run fast, although not slow, who "prefers to make the ball run" from his own words, and with a sudden and strong shooting of the ball.
Castronovo worn the number 9 jersey. Again, on the ASNL website, he's said to be that kind of player "with that little special thing" and is described as a small forward (1.69 m.), opportunistic and excellent technician, who likes to do one-two's.

 

1973/1974
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : 18th (relegated).
21 games/ 2 goals.
Average rating : 3,809
Highest rating : 5*, 3x (J-16 at Nice, J-21 v Lens, J-27 v Metz).

J-3 : 4* at Lens, 0-1. LW in a 4-2-4.
J-8 : 3* v Paris FC, 1-1. IL in a 4-2-4. Subbed out at half-time.
J-16 : 5* at Nice, 1-1. IL in a 4-2-4. Never easy to visit Nice and they were the leaders at this moment. Btw, there's a typo : Plantini.
J-17 : postponed match v Rennes.
J-18 : 4* at Troyes, 4-4. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-19 : 4* v Sedan, 4-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-20 : 3* at Bastia, 2-3. Not an easy trip too. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-21 : 5* v Lens, 3-2. 2 goals, scored the winner. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-22 : 3* at Reims, 2-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-23 : 4* v Marseille, 0-0. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-24 : 4* at Sochaux, 1-4. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-25 : 3* v Monaco, 2-1.IL in a 4-2-4.
J-26 : 4* at Paris FC, 2-4. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-27 : 5* v Metz, 2-1. IL in a 4-2-4. FC Metz, the club that chose not to sign Platini.
J-28 : 4* at Nantes, 0-0. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-29 : 3* v Angers, 0-3. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-17 : 3* v Rennes, 1-2. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-30 : 4* at Strasbourg, 1-2. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-31 : 4* v Bordeaux, 0-2. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-32 : 4* at Nîmes, 0-1.IL in a 4-2-4.
J-33 : 3* v Saint-Etienne, 1-1. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-34 : 4* v Nice, 0-1. MF in a 4-2-4. Subbed out for Rouyer (73').


Note 1 :
Platini is regraded under amateur status for this season so he plays with the D3 team, to finally play regularly with the first team since November.

With the junior team (with many elements playing in the reserve team, in D3), coached by his father Aldo Platini and with whom he runs the show with his friend Rouyer, he is finalist of the Coupe Gambardella, the junior French Cup (a first for Nancy) : 1-4 vs Nantes (the final is traditionally played just before the senior French Cup Final, today at Stade de France, before that and already during Platini's time, at Parc des Princes. Before 1972 it was at Stade Yves-du-Manoir de Colombes).

Note 2 :
Alongside Platini at first, the LW was Yves Herbet, who played at the 1966 World Cup (born in 1945). During the last dozen of league games, he is occasionally displaced on the right wing (where he played during the previous season) as Platini's best friend Olivier Rouyer is progressively integrating the team, first at LW (Rouyer will also play at RW, later on, in his career). It could also be Di Caro at LW (who is older than Platini and Rouyer) and Di Caro like Rouyer could also appear at IF (in the end, Rouyer did not play that much on the left wing finally, it was Di Caro the most often. He also often came in from the bench).

 

1974/1975 (Division 2)
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : winner of "Groupe Sud"/ Group B in Division 2 (Group A has no teams from the south of France) and D2 champion as winner of the Final. Best attack of the two groups with 73 goals. 18 clubs in the Group A and 17 in the Group B as AC Ajaccio withdrew.
32 games/ 17 goals. D2 final : 1 game/ 0 goals. 3 goals or more : 1x (J-33, 4 goals v Sète).
Average rating : 4,281
Highest ratings : 6* (J-33 v Sète). 5*, 7x.

J-1 : 3* v Mulhouse, 5-0. 1 goal. MF in a 4-2-4. Subbed out at the 73rd minute. Best attendance with 5.939 spectators.
J-2 : 4* v Toulouse, 5-0. 2 goals (the first after 2 min.). MF in a 4-2-4. Best attendance again.
J-3 : 3* v Montluçon, 2-1. MF in a 4-2-4. New attendance record with 11.070.
J-4 : 4* at Blois, 4-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-5 : postponed match v AC Ajaccio. It will never be played as AC Ajaccio withdrew.
J-6 : 4* at Châteauroux, 3-1. 1 goal. MF in a 4-2-4. Best attack, best defense (they'll lost it on defense).
J-7 : 4* v Toulon, 1-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-8 : 5* at Béziers, 2-1. 1 goal. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-9 : 5* v Epinal, 1-1. 1 goal (1-0). MF in a 4-2-4.
J-10 : 5* at Martigues, 2-3. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-11 : 4* v Cannes, 2-1. 1 goal (pk, 2-0, the opener was an o.g.). MF in a 4-2-4.
J-12 : 4* v Bourges, 1-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-13 : 4* at Chaumont, 3-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-14 : 4* v Besançon, 5-1. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-15 : 3* at Avignon, 0-4. RW in a 4-2-4.
J-16 : 4* v Tours, 2-2. 1 goal, the equalizer. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-17 : 4* at Sète, 0-0. RW in a 4-2-4.
J-18 : 4* at Toulouse, 2-2. 1 goal for the 2-1, then Toulouse equalize 2 mins. later. RW in a 4-2-4.
J-19 : 4* at Montluçon, 0-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-20 : 4* v Blois, 5-2. 1 goal (pk). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-21 : exempt.
J-22 : postponed match v Châteauroux.
J-23 : 5* at Toulon, 1-2. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-24 : 5* v Béziers, 5-0. 1 goal. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-25 : 4* at Epinal, 1-1. 1 goal. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-26 : 5* v Martigues, 4-1. 1 goal (pk). MF in a 4-2-4.
J-27 : postponed match at Cannes.
J-28 : 4* at Bourges, 0-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-29 : 5* v Chaumont, 4-1. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-30 : 4* at Besançon, 1-1.MF in a 4-2-4.
J-27 : 4* at Cannes, 1-1. CM in a 4-3-3. By "CM", it means presented in the middle of the three. Here, he most defensive MF is the RM, Donnat, who played alongside him at midfield in the 4-2-4. The LM, Mesones, is an offensive midfielder.
J-31 : 3* v Avignon, 1-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-22 : 3* v Châteauroux, 1-2. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-32 : 4* at Tours, 2-3. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-33 : 6* v Sète, 6-0. 4 goals. MF in a 4-2-4.
J-34 : 4* at Mulhouse, 1-2. MF in a 4-2-4.

D2 Final (no ratings) :
Valenciennes v Nancy : 0-0. MF in a 4-2-4.
Nancy v Valenciennes : 4-0. Did not play.

Note 1 : the main scorer of goals was the Argentine Joaquim Martinez (former River Plate, coming from Santander (11 goals in Primera Division, relegated) and who played at ASNL during that only one season before joining Toulouse, still in D2). Well, he was the Division 2 top scorer with 29 goals (wiki says 28) plus 2 in the final.

Note 2 : Olivier Rouyer was on loan at Chaumont during this season.

 

1975-1976
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : 7th.
31 games/ 22 goals. 4th best scorer.
Average rating : 4,129
Highest rating : 5*, 6x.

J-1 : 3* v Valenciennes, 3-3. 1 goal (1 pk, 3'). MF in a 4-2-4 (Mesones was the IL).
J-2 : 3* at Sochaux, 0-3. MF in a 4-2-4 (same obsevation as above).
J-3 : 2* v Lyon, 1-4. 1 goal (pk). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-4 : 3* at Avignon, 3-2. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-5 : 5* v Nantes, 1-1. 1 goal (the 1st goal) : header off of fk. IL in a 4-2-4. "Platini shown all his class in a mediocre match and dominated it".
J-6 : 4* at Marseille, 3-1. 1 goal (pk). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-7 : 5* v Strasbourg, 1-1. 1 goal (82', immediate equalizer : header off of ck). Missed a pk (50'). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-8 : 3* at Bastia, 0-3. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-9 : 4* v Metz, 0-0.
J-10 : 4* at Reims, 1-1. 1 goal (opener). IL in a 4-2-4. "The attack line don't defend". Bianchi 1-1.
J-11 : 5* v Monaco, 3-0. 2 goals. IR in a 4-2-4. "1st home win".
J-12 : 4* v Lille, 2-1. 1 goal. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-13 : 3* v Paris SG, 2-4. IL in a 4-2-4. Dahleb : 3 goals and 5*.
J-14 : 3* at Nice, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-15 : 4* v Saint-Etienne, 0-0. IL in a 4-2-4. F.k. on the post.
J-16 : 4* at Bordeaux, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-17 : 5* v Lens, 3-0. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3. "Yellow card for he should have hold his tongue".
J-18 : did not play. 0-3 at Troyes.
J-19 : 2* v Nîmes, 1-1. IL in a 4-2-4. "Nancy have complex in front of their public".
J-20 : 4* v Sochaux, 5-1. 2 goals ("fantastic volley" for goal #2...). IL in a 4-2-4.

At half-time of the season (+ 1 game), he's described as an "attacker" when FF say that "Bianchi is way ahead of (+6) the triplet Curioni, Yazalde, Platini, composed with attackers who, yet, are not newcomers", which is funny regarding the still very young Platini, still "international espoir" as described in the Sochaux game report. We also take note that all the others are Argentine goleadores.


J-21 : 4* at Lyon, 0-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-22 : 4* v Avignon, 6-0. 2 goals (1 pk). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-23 : 3* at Nantes. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-24 : 5* v Marseille, 4-2. 3 goals (1 pk). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-25 : 4* at Strasbourg, 5-1. 1 goal ("on a foul by Dropsy"...). IL in a 4-2-4.
J-26 : 3* v Bastia, 0-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-27 : 4* at Metz, 1-4. 1 goal. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-28 : 4* v Reims, 3-1. IL in a 4-2-4. "In spite of a young defense"... "Nancy, the team of tommorrow"..."a contagious enthusiasm... for the spectators". Bianchi, 5, with no goals scored.
[27/03/76, Platini's first cap, and first goal : indirect free-kick. J-29 is two days after]
J-29 : 4* at Monaco, 0-1. IL in a 4-2-4.
J-30 : 5* v Lille, 5-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : did not play (it was mentioned in the J-18 report but not here). 4-1 at Paris SG.
J-32 : did not play. 2-0 v Nice.
J-33 : postponed match v Saint-Etienne, due to the European Cup Final [Saint-Etienne v Bayern Munich].
J-34 : 4* v Bordeaux, 3-2. 1 goal (pk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-35 : 4* at Lens , 2-4. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-36 : did not play. 0-0 v Troyes.
J-33 : did not play. 0-3 at Saint-Etienne.
J-37 : did not play. 2-2 at Nîmes.
J-38 : did not play. 0-2 at Valenciennes.

3 goals or more : J-24 (hat-trick v Marseille).
Identified or possible assists : J-24 ("Couhet on a pass by Platini" (who scored the three others), J-30 (two assistances by Platini to make it 4 then 5-0 against Lille).


Notes :

Platini played with the Olympic team (which was the "équipe de France militaire". He was doing his military service at Bataillon de Joinville, where the sportsmen went), and also played with the senior national team since March '76.

He got injured in April and had a meniscus surgery so he could go play the Olympics, in Montreal (the ligaments were not affected).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxo3mqewiRo

 

1975-1976 : Platini is on all fronts and (finally) seems to really take off.

Pictures : with the Olympic team at Bataillon de Joinville, in uniform (1) and in football kit on the training pitch (2).

In the next video : Platini's beginnings for Nancy (it's not the very beginnings that are shown) and Platini's first match (and first goal) for France (1976).



The very first match against Nîmes is mentioned once a first film clip of him in action is shown, but it is not this one game that is shown beforehand but more likely a goal he made during the 1974-1975 season. Then, really, it's not in chronolgical order and there are his two goals v Lens in 1973-1974, still with the number 11 although he played inside left, according to France Football. Probably the other actions that are shown between the two goals he made in this game come from the 1974-1975 season too and the goal he makes at 0:47 is against Nice in January '77... (to be seen in color in this other video at 1:25 : www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EvMhMDJwu8).

His his very first match ever for Nancy was with the B-team (including several junior players like him in this occasion) : a friendly against Besançon's first team (a professional team, D3 vs D2 of today, approximatively), a game played in 1972 (2-3). It was a try, according to his former teammate Gilbert Lanzoni who played this game as well (and scored) but could not continue to play football for health reasons. He also remembers a game against Luxembourg before their try at Nancy, won by 11-0 where "he [Platini] scored 9 or 10 times", he thinks (was this game against the senior Luxembourgish team or else, no more precisions). Before this game against Besançon, "Aldo Platini's son already had a big reputation" in the East of France.
Source : https://www.estrepublicain.fr/sport...u-premier-match-de-michel-platini-avec-l-asnl

The course of events about Platini's first game ever with the first team are more precise.

As we can see in the regional newspaper that is pictured in the following article about his first professional game ever against Nîmes (link below), his presence was an event in itself.

http://socios-nancy.fr/le-1er-match-de-michel-platini/

As we can read in this article, before that, he had been quite slowly prepared, "under wise advice of Albert Batteux", the technical manager (not coach, it is Antoine Redin) for AS Nancy and its football school, one of the first created in France, by the club's self-told and innovative president, Claude Cuny. We also saw earlier in the thread that he got injured with the reserve team, early in the season.

In the video, when Platini is asked about his remembrance of his professional debuts against Nîmes, he says, in the stye we know of him : "we won, 2-1, I think... against Nîmes... it's the start of an adventure and certainly not the arrival, you know ".

By the way, he was often desribed as "the smile of French football", as a "funny chap" with his friend Olivier Rouyer. In addition to... well, "Le Gros" (fatboy).
In early interviews (like in the one above that can be read at socios-nancy.fr), he doesn't hide that he likes to eat, with special affection for chocolate. He's also know to be very relaxed, that is on or off the pitch - one of his greatest strenghts.

 

In the video, regarding his upcoming debut with France, the young Platini says : "I am a bit apprehensive, but I think it's a natural thing... I think I should get out of it".

Then, some years after : "it's not a simple thing to arrive in a team, the French team, at 20 years old... it's not simple".
[images of the goal]
Then : "and then it's good, ok, and then it's like that... we play with stress, the stomach hurts then we fear, we have few self-confidence... then we try to look for help in the eyes of the others so we can do something good, you know".

And then, with cheek...

In the article interview from '73, about his debut vs Nîmes, he said that he wasn't daring enough.
Lesson learned.

Well, to be precise, he said that he "wasn't daring enough because in D1, compared to the D3, there is more interest in releasing the ball quickly". Also, in a previous question, he underlined the reputation of Nîmes defenders.
There, he also says that he was well encouraged by his teammates and Monsieur Redin.
Also, that he "knew the climate that goes with a D1 match" as he already spent a game on the bench, once : indeed, he doesn't go into details on this subject in his answer, but he was on the bench for a match against Valenciennes in November '72, a game during which there's been a riot in the stands - he is spat on and hit by several projectiles.
Nice first!

"With cheek", because before to take this (indirect) free-kick, he says to Henri Michel (the new great talent 10 years before Platini, and highly respected player, leader of the team with Trésor) : "pass me the ball and it's a lobbed goal". Hopefully, Henri Michel had a good mentality.

The whole scene at 2:40 :

TV commentator : "Platini was not perfect but he was playing his 52nd or 53rd game since the start of the season, that's a lot".
At the very beginning of the video: "with Michel Platini, the future star of French football, most certainly".

 

1976-1977
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : 4th.
38 games/ 25 goals. 2nd best scorer.
Average rating : 1 rating is missing (see J-14). 4 without this one missing data.
Highest ratings : 6* (J-7 v Bordeaux). 5*, 9x.

J-1 : 4* at Angers, 1-3. 1 goal (pk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-2 : 5* v Lyon. 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-3 : 3* at Paris SG, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-4 : 3* at Nîmes, 2-2. 1 goal, the equalizer. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 4* v Reims, 4-2. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-6 : 3* at Nice, 2-2. 1 goal (the equalizer at the 90th min.). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-7 : 6* v Bordeaux, 7-3. 4 goals (18', 29', 44', 47'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-8 : 4* at Nantes, 1-3. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-9 : 4* v Metz, 4-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-10 : 5* at Bastia, 2-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-11 : 5* v Laval, 4-1. 1 goal (the opener). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : 4* at Valenciennes, 1-1. 1 goal (the immediate equalizer, 37'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-13 : 3* v Lens, 1-1. 1 goal (pk, 4'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-14 : postponed match at Marseille (field not fit to play on).
J-15 : 4* v Troyes, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-16 : 5* at Rennes, 3-0. 1 goal (the last goal, 88'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-17 : 3* v Sochaux, 3-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-18 : 4* at Lille, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-14 : ???? at Marseille, 4-2. 2 goals (1 pk).
J-19 : 4* v Saint-Etienne., 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3. A prestigious win. Lopez has the best rating : 5*.
J-20 : 4* at Lyon, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3. A typo : "Rouyer for Nantes, 33'". Rouyer, 5* btw.
J-21 : 4* v PSG, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3. Rouyer scored at the 90th minute.
J-22 : 3* v Nîmes, 3-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-23 : 4* at Reims, 3-3. 2 goals (1 pk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-24 : 4* v Nice, 1-4. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-25 : 3* at Bordeaux, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3. Giresse did not play.
J-26 : 5* v Nantes, 3-0. 2 goals (1 pk). LM in a 4-3-3
J-27 : 3* at Metz, 0-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-28 : 5* v Bastia, 4-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-29 : 3* v Laval, 1-1. CM in a 4-3-3, i.e. in the middle of it)
J-30 : 3* v Valenciennes, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : 4* at Lens. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-32 : 5* v Marseille, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-33 : 5* at Troyes, 1-0. 1 goal (18'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-34 : 3* v Rennes, 3-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-35 : 5* at Sochaux, 3-0. 2 goals (83', 84'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-36 : 4* v Lille, 3-0. 1 goal (pk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-37 : 4* at Saint-Etienne, 2-3. 1 goal (85', 2-2, Bathenay 89', 2-3). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-38 : 4* v Angers, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.


3 goals or more : J-7 (4 goals v Bordeaux).

Identified or possible assists : J-28 ("Platini brang two goals converted by Rouyer and Raczinski, in order to take the lead").

Apart from 5 games or so (incl. J-28), it was from another source this time, a book : Mundial Football, that has the FF ratings but not the short reports.

By the way, I use Worlfootball.net at times (to check about substitutions, in some cases, like here, especially. But they were wrong about the exact day of his very first D1 game).


Notes (taken from articles) :

- During this season, with some players being injured, Paco Rubio often played at CF (an unusual position for the midfielder who "never played there since he started to play football"). That's what can be read in an article about Nancy v Metz, J-9, 4-1, with... a hat-trick by Rubio! The supporters were chanting "Platini, Platini, Platini" before the game had started, in order to tease the Metzins but the hero of this match was Rubio.

J-22, 3-1 v Nîmes (3*) : "Platini is not in the same shape as he was until the half of the season"... "but maybe it shows more, since what he demonstrated at the occasions of some actions... [...] because there are big expectations on him, at every match, during the whole season, and being always excellent is quite impossible" [something like that].

J24, 1-4 v Nice : "two young debutants, Pigal and Cappadona, attacked Platini like bulldogs. If Platini could not escape the man-marking very often, he however had accelerations and dribbles worth himself".

So, that's all during that little period of time during which Platini was in a lesser form.


By the end of the year, Platini and Nancy feature on the Ballon d'or podium behind Simonsen of M'gladbach and Keegan of Liverpool : Simonsen,74 pts; Keegan, 71; Platini, 70.

Jacques Ferran did not favor him in his vote placing him behind the Dane and the English. Platini felt that he could have received more support and he will hold a grudge against the Ballon d'Or co-inventor.

 

1977-1978
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : 6th.
36 games/ 18 goals. (6th in the scoring charts, 10 players with 18 goals and more).
Average rating : 3,805
Highest ratings : 6* (J-12 postponed match played after J-25, v Nice). 5* 4x.

J-1 : 4* v Paris SG, 4-1. 1 goal (pk, 4'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-2 : 3* at Monaco, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3. Monaco will be the champions, coming back from D2.
J-3 : 5* v Bastia, 3-0. 2 goals (header 27', 88'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-4 : 4* v Valenciennes, 2-2. 1 goal (68', equalizer "by one of his famous free-kicks"). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 4* at Bordeaux, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-6 : 5* v Reims, 4-1. 1 goal (free-kick). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-7 : 4* at Strasbourg, 0-2.
J-8 : 3* v Marseille. 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-9 : 4* at Metz, 0-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-10 : 4* v Lyon, 3-1. 1 goal (with the chest on a bad clearance, something like that). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-11 : 3* at Nîmes, 0-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : match stopped at the 26th min. due to the fog (0-0 at this moment).
J-13 : 3* at Rouen, 2-3. LM in a 4-3-3. It seems that the 3rd goal by Rouen did not cross the line.
J-14 : 4* v Troyes, 1-0. 1 goal (header off of a fk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-15 : 4* v Sochaux, 1-1. 1 goal, the opener on a bad clearance. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-16 : 4* at Laval, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3. "1st away win".
J-17 : 4* v Lens, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-18 : 3* at Saint-Etienne, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-19 : 3* v Monaco, 2-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-20 : 4* at Bastia, 0-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-21 : 4* v Nantes, 3-0. 1 goal. CF in a 4-3-3. "Nancy, where Platini wore the number 9...".
J-22 : 4* at Valenciennes, 1-0. CF in a 4-3-3. Marked by Fugaldi who finally scored an o.g. under the pressure of the duet Rubio + Platini at the 87th minute.
J-23 : 5* v Bordeaux, 4-1. 2 goals. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-24 : 3* at Reims, 1-4. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-25 : 4* v Strasbourg, 3-1. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : 6* at Nice, 7-3. 4 goals (1 pk). CF in a 4-3-3.
J-26 : 3* at Marseille, 1-1. CF in a 4-3-3. "Platini withdrew most of the time".
J-27 : postponed match v Metz (snowy pitch).
J-28 : postponed match at Lyon (field not fit to play on, same thing in Nantes and Rouen).
J-29 : 5* v Nîmes, 2-2. LM in a 4-3-3. Carlos Azevedo or Acevedo makes his entrance at CF (1 g., described as an Uruguyan but actually a Venezuelian coming from Cerro Montevideo. 10 m./ 4 g. overall, he will not stay at the club for he did not adapt well).
J-30 : 4* at Nantes, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : 4* v Rouen, 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3. Gol, Acevedo.
J-28 : 4* at Lyon, 3-1. 2 goals (1 pk, 1 free-kick). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-32 : 4* at Troyes, 3-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-33 : 4* v Nice, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-34 : 3* at Sochaux, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3. "Michel Platini looked tired, far from his best form".
J-27 : 4* v Metz, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-35 : did not play. 3-0 v Laval.
J-36 : did not play. 0-1 at Lens. "Lens will have difficulties to avoid the relegation in Division 2".
J-37 : 4* v Saint-Etienne, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-38 : 4* at Paris SG, 2-1. 1 goal (70', 2-0, after several chances). CF in a 4-3-3.

3 goals or more : (J-12 postponed after J-25, 4 goals v Nice).
Identified or possible assists : J-4 (at this point, Platini has less than 2 assists), J-7 (at this point, Platini has 2 assists in all), J-8 (+ 1 v Marseille), after J-18 he has 5 assists, same after J-20, J-21 (v Nantes : the 1st goal by Rouyer is a possible assist as he benefited from a counter and the 3rd by the same Rouyer sounds more clearly as a goal assisted by Platini), he doesn't have assists on J-24 and J-25 but he has a total of 8 after J-25 and after J-26. 8 still, after J-21 as seen in this thread. J-33 : Acevedo scores off of fk by Platini.

- On the first picture, he's receiving the "France Football's French Footballer Of The Year Award" (winner in 1976 and 1977).



This year, Michel Platini lifts the French Cup trophy with Nancy. 1-0 against Nice. A goal made à la Gerd Müller by Platini, who played the final at the centre forward position.

 

1978-1979
Club : AS Nancy Lorraine (ASNL)
Rank in the League : 11th.
19 games/ 12 goals.
Average rating : not calculated. 4 games with missing data.
Highest ratings (known) : 5*, 2x (J-32 v Paris SG, J-38 v Lille).


Nancy lines up a new attack with Pintenat at CF (coming from Sochaux, 28 games), a young Zénier (coming from Metz) on the left wing and still, Rouyer, on the right wing - for this last season of Platini at Nancy.


J-1 : 3* at Lille, 3-4. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-2 : 3* v Nîmes, 3-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-3 : ???? at Angers, 1-2.
J-4 : 4* v Paris FC, 5-1. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 3* at Saint-Etienne. 2-3. LM in a 4-3-3. Subbed out at the 29th minute, Pokou in.

Fracture of malleolus. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhAGDUF9HWY
(Platini joins the defenders Merchadier and Jean-Claude Cloet at the infirmary).

It's then a 0-0 at Bordeaux etc. Without their number 10, Nancy goes through the first round of the Cup Winners Cup against BK Frem before to be elminated by Servette FC.

Injured on August 7th, 1978, Platini will come back on March 1st, 1979.

Reeducation session in December '78 : the club doctor says to be "optimistic" in view of a come-back on January 28th after a tour in Mexico where "he could play, or could not play some friendly games" but he's just at half-time of his convalescence. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhAGDUF9HWY
(the doctor says in the US, but it was in Mexico).

J-28 : 3* at Sochaux, 2-1. 1 goal (equalizer, 40'). LM in a 4-3-3.
Platini scores and his team win for his return in "le championnat". Not without difficulties : the goalkeeper Moutier was out on injury after 53 minutes (the famous sparring-partner of Platini when training at free-kicks). The score remained 2-1 with outfield player Jeannol in the goals (who had an assist prior).

J-25 : 4* v Bordeaux, 4-1. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-29 : 3* v Valenciennes, 4-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-30 : 3* at Marseille, 2-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : 3* at Lyon, 1-2. 1 goal.LM in a 4-3-3.
J-32 : 5* v Paris SG, 2-1. 1 goal, the winner, "a very good shot, the gk could not do anything". He assisted the first goal too. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-26 : ???? at Metz, 1-3. FF 1725 02/05/79.
J-33 : 4* at Monaco, 3-1. LM in a 4-3-3. "deserved win by the Lorrains led by an excellent Platini, over the former champions". 1 assist.
J-34 : ???? v Laval, 2-3. 1 goal. FF 1726 08/05/79
J-27 : 5* v Bastia, 5-1. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-35 : 4* at Nantes, 0-3. LM in a 4-3-3. One cancelled goal before that Nantes scored the opener, a litigious goal.
J-36 : 4* v Strasbourg, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-37 : ???? at Reims, 3-1. 1 goal. FF 1730 06/06/79
J-38 : 5* v Lille, 3-1. 2 goals (Lille scored at the 85th minute). LM in a 4-3-3.

"Michel Platini did not miss his farewell to Lorraine. Against a Lille with few motivation and who contented themselves in giving a nice replica, he took things in hands to give his team the victory by scoring twice before half-time, with a pivotal volley at the pk spot, then from free-kick".

3 goals or more : nil.
Identified or possible assists : after J-5, Platini had less than 3 assists. On J-32, he has one assist v Paris SG and less than 7 in all. J-33, 1 assist v Monaco, 6 in all (that's the last time that this insert can be consulted, as seen in the 'D1 assists thread').


Departure from Nancy : www.youtube.com/watch?v=czxv7lqyFuM
To Saint-Etienne, it is now revealed.

In all logic, Saint-Etienne were in pole position as the 'Platini file' failed to win unanimous support at Inter Milan (he visited the club as soon as during the winter 1977/78 with president Fraizzoli and his techncial advisor Mazzola, who advised Fraizzoli to sign him, but the coach Bersellini interfered).
Nantes where he was proposed by Lagardère (and where there was supposedly a lack of financial means and Henri Michel, who wanted to stay the boss in his house, as it was whispered) and PSG, were also more or less in the equation during a while, but Saint-Etienne had no real concurency from any of this three clubs, on this case. So, it was no surprise.

This transfert comes after more than one season during which Platini and his directors had an arm wrestling for the latter wanted him to sign a new contract and stay (in 1978-1979, it seems that Platini's contract was downgraded and that he didn't receive bonuses, so the multiplication of his advertising contracts).

It is more Saint-Etienne that chose Platini than Platini who truly chose where he'd continue his career. He just rallied the "biggest French club".

 

1) the youngness of Nancy : Paco Rubio, Michel Platini and Olivier Rouyer (1975/1976).
"Le temps des copains", "le football-plaisir", are definitively over now. With Saint-Etienne, winning is imperative.
2) Platini in Nancy's green second kit (1975-1976).

 

1979-1980
Club : AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE).
Rank in the League : 3rd.
33 games/ 16 goals. 5th best scorer (5 players with 16 or more).
Average rating : 3,72727272...
Highest rating : 5* x4 (J-20, J-21, J-35, J-38).

J-1 : 4* at Bastia, 1-0. "CM" in a 4-3-3.
J-2 : 4* v Lille, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-3 : 4* at Marseille, 5-2. 1 goal (1-1). LM in a 4-3-3. "Exciting and technical game, collectively and individually... Marseille gave a good opposition during a large part of a game to mark with a white stone".
J-4 : 4* v Metz, 2-1. 1 goal (the opener). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 3* at Laval, 3-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-6 : 4* v Sochaux, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-7 : 4* at Brest, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-8 : 4* v Nantes, 4-2. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3. Subbed out at the 88th minute.
J-9 : 3* at Lyon, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-10 : 3* v Paris SG, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-11 : 3* at Lens, 3-4. 1 goal (1-1). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : did not play. 2-2 v Nancy. "Deprived of Platini, St.-Etienne had their poorest home game".
J-13 : did not play. 1-2 at Monaco.
J-14 : did not play. 0-1 at Strasbourg.
J-15 : did not play. 3-3 v Angers.
J-16 : did not play. 0-0 at Valenciennes. [looks like he had a relapse, or another injury].
J-17 : 4* v Nîmes, 3-1. 1 goal (pk). CF in a 4-3-3.
J-18 : 4* at Nice. 4-2. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-19 : 4* v Bordeaux, 3-3. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-20 : 5* at Lille, 2-0. 1 goal (82'). CF in a 4-3-3.
J-21 : 5* v Marseille, 3-1. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-22 : 4* at Metz, 2-1. 1 goal (equalizer, 60'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-23 : 4* v Laval, 3-1. 1 goal (for the break, 57'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-24 : 3*at Sochaux, 1-4. LM in a 4-3-3. "One of the heaviest failures since the last seasons".
J-25 : 4* v Brest, 2-1. 1 goal (the opener, 2-1 from pk, 88', Rep). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-26 : 3* at Nantes, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-27 : 4* v Lyon, 2-0. 1 goal (header). CF in a 4-3-3.
J-28 : * at Paris SG, 2-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-29 : 4* v Lens, 3-1. 1 goal (pk). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-30 : 4* v Nancy, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : 3* v Monaco, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-32 : 4* v Strasbourg, 2-1. 1 goal, the opener. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-33 : 4* at Angers, 2-0. 2 goals (44', free-kick whilst Angers dominated. 78'). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-34 : 4* v Valencienes, 0-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-35 : 5* at Nîmes, 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-36 : 3* v Nice, 2-1. 1 goal (pk, 2-0 then Nice scores one min. after). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-37 : 3* at Bordeaux, 1-5. CF in a 4-3-3.
J-38 : 5* v Bastia, 2-0. 1 goal (the opener). LM in a 4-3-3.

3 goals or more : nil.
Identified or possible assists : after J-5, Michel Platini has 1 assist in all (none after J-2 was played). J-6 : + 1 = 2. J-7 : cross to Rep (=3). J-10 : 3 in all still. Then the ranking don't appear anymore, for some reasons. Still, with the short reports we have : J-30 ("magnificient pass to Roussey", not "pass" but "ouverture" in French), J-35 (same as previously, to Zimako this time, with a lob finish).

The last FF goalscorers ranking has 15 goals for Platini but he has well 16. Probably it was corrected by FF afterwards.

 

1980-1981
Club : AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE).
Rank in the League : 1st.
35 games/ 20 goals. 4th best scorer (4 players with 20 or more).
Average rating : 3,885
Highest rating : 5* 8x (J-6, J-10, J-18, J-21, J-26, J-29, J-33, J-37).

J-1 : 3* at Bordeaux, 0-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-2 : 4* v Nice, 3-2. 1 goal, 83', the winner from free-kick. He then missed a pk. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-3 : 3* at Bastia, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-4 : 4* v Nancy, 4-1 (HT : 4-0). 2 goals (#3, #4). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 3* at Strasbourg, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-6 : 5* v Angers, 5-0. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-7 : 4* at Auxerre, 2-0. 1 goal (free-kick). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-8 : 4* v Lille, 3-1. 1 goal (free-kick). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-9 : 3* at Lyon, 1-1. CM in a 4-3-3.
J-10 : 5* v Valenciennes, 4-0. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-11 : 4* at Monaco, 2-1. "without Christophe, Monaco had less means to neutralize St.-Etienne".
J-12 : 3* v Metz, 3-0. LM in a 4-3-3. Fk on the crossbar's angle.
J-13 : 3* at Paris SG, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-14 : 3* at Laval, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-15 : 4* v Sochaux, 3-0. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-16 : did not play, 1-1 at Lens.
J-17 : 4* v Nantes, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-18 : 5* at Nîmes, 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-19 : 3* v Tours, 1-2. LM in a 4-3-3. "St.-Etienne dominated but... lack of efficiency lately".
J-20 : 3* at Nice, 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-21 : 5* v Bastia, 3-0. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-22 : 4* at Nancy, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-23 : 4* v Strasbourg, 3-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-24 : 4* at Angers, 1-1. 1 goal (33', equalizer). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-25 : 4* v Auxerre, 2-0. 1 goal (off of ck). CM in a 4-3-3.
J-26 : 5* at Lille, 3-1. 2 goals ('68, '70). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-27 : 4* v Lyon, 3-2. 1 goal (#2). LM in a 4-3-3. 3-1 at half-time then 3-2 at the 46th minute.
J-28 : 4* at Valenciennes, 1-0. 1 goal (free-kick). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-29 : 5* v Monaco, 5-1. 1 goal (equalizer). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-30 : 3* at Metz, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-31 : 3* v Paris SG, 0-2. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-32 : did not play. 1-0 v Laval.
J-33 : postponed match at Sochaux.
J-34 : did not play. 0-0 v Lens.
J-35 : 3* at Nantes, 1-1. RW in a 4-3-3. Subbed out at the 77th minute (Bellus in).
J-36 : 4* v Nîmes, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-33 : 5* at Sochaux, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3. One of his shots hitted the post, it could have been 3.
J-37 : 5* at Tours, 3-1. 1 goal, the opener (15'). CM in a 4-3-3.
J-38 : 4* v Bordeaux, 2-1. 2 goals (25', 41' header). LM in a 4-3-3.

3 goals or more : nil.
Identified or possible assists : nothing permitted to spot assists in the short reports.

After "La Coupe de France" in 1978 with Nancy, Michel Platini wins "Le Championnat" with Saint-Etienne, on the second try.

 

So that was at his former club's stadium, in Nancy (I have two home games vs Nancy in 1979-1980).
+
J-11 1979-1980 in Lens : from 0:28 assist to Rep

In addition to Lens (VentDuNord62), Sochaux, Bastia , Bordeaux... have dedicated channels too (Mr Brrrou, CorseFootball, So Bordeaux...).

 

1981-1982
Club : AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE).
Rank in the League : 2nd.
36 games/ 22 goals. 3rd best scorer (3 players with 22 or more).
Average rating : 4,305
Highest rating : 6*, 2x (J-19 v Valenciennes, J-32 v Bordeaux). 5*, 11x.

J-1 : 4* at Metz, 0-0. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-2 : 4* v Monaco, 2-0. 1 goal, the opener. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-3 : 4* at Strasbourg, 0-3. LM in a 4-3-3. Strasbourg dominated the game in full.
J-4 : 4* at Sochaux, 1-2. 1 goal, the opener, "thanks to a little technical feat by Platini". LM in a 4-3-3.
J-5 : 4* v PSG, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-6 : 5* at Lens, 5-3. 1 goal. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-7 : postponed match v Auxerre due to the European Cup.
J-8 : postponed match at Brest due to the European Cup (elimination in the prel. round).
J-9 : 4* v Lyon, 4-0. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-7 : 4* v Auxerre, 3-0. 1 goal (#3). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-10 : 4* at Lille, 4-3. 1 goal. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-11 : 3* v Nantes. 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3. A very hard match, with few chances. Involuntary goal.
J-8 : 4* at Brest, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : postponed match at Nice.
J-13 : 4* v Nancy, 2-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-14 : 3* at Bordeaux, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3. Goal scored on free-kick by Zanon.
J-15 : 5* v Montpellier, 4-0. 1 goal (89'). LM in a 4-3-3. Another free-kick by Zanon.
J-16 : 4* at Laval, 0-0. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-12 : 5* at Nice, 3-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-17 : 5* v Bastia, 3-0. 2 goals. LM in a 4-3-3. 4 days after Nice.
J-18 : 4* at Tours, 4-3. 1 goal (the opener). LM in a 4-3-3.
J-19 : 6* v Valenciennes, 5-1. 4 goals. LM in a 4-3-3. "Champion d'Automne" (leader at HT of the season).
J-20 : 3* at Monaco, 0-1. LM in a 4-3-3. Same type of match as J-11 v Nantes.
J-21 : did not play. 2-0 v Strasbourg.
J-22 : 4* v Sochaux, 0-1. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-23 : 4* at Paris SG, 0-0. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-24 : 4* v Lens, 3-1. 2 goals (52', 64'). AM in a 4-4-2.
J-25 : 5* at Auxerre, 1-3. LM in a 4-3-3.
J-26 : 4* v Brest, 1-0. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-27 : 5* at Lyon, 1-0. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-28 : 5* v Lille, 1-1. 1 goal (the opener, "thanks to a new feat by Platini"...). AM in a 4-4-2.
J-29 : 4* at Nantes, 0-3. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-30 : 3* v Nice, 2-0. LM in a 4-3-3. Subbed out after 33 minutes (Oleksiak in). 28', 63' pk.
J-31 : did not play. 0-0 at Nancy.
J-32 : 6* v Bordeaux, 5-0. 1 goal ('9, 3-0... goal #5 came at 10 v 11). AM in a 4-4-2.
J-33 : 5* at Montpellier, 1-0. AM in a 4-4-2.
J-34 : 5* v Laval, 1-1. 1 goal (37', equalizer. Krause 2' for Laval). AM in a 4-4-2. "One pt. that should weigh heavily at the moment of the final countdown".
J-35 : 4* at Bastia, 1-1. LM in a 4-3-3. Subbed out at half-time (Noguès in).
J-36 : 5* v Tours, 1-0. LM in a 4-3-3. Subbed out at the 83rd minute (Noguès in).
J-37 : 4* v Valenciennes, 2-0. 1 goal (Paganelli 84', Platini 88').
J-38 : 5* v Metz, 9-2. 2 goals (#3 31', #9 81').

3 goals or more : nil.
Identified or possible assists : J-6, "golden pass to Larios" v Lens (Larios also scored one after a shot from Platini hitted the post, before that).

J-38 report : "Even though Castaneda was the first of the two keepers who was asked to contribute, namely by Raspollini, after five minutes of play in this Saint-Etienne-Metz, the score quite indicates that the Stéphanois, who still had there a little chance to keep their title, massively dominated the whole game with their formidable offensive potential. Magnificently led by their duo Platini-Larios, who both theorically bade farewell to the Stéphanois public, "Les Verts" indeed have ordered their fireworks at the 17th minute, thanks to Paganelli, to finish it 'eight goals later' with an ultimate winning cannonball by Platini. Just, in the meantime, Bernad and Bracigliano scored as well,in order to allevuate a bit the punishment of Metz and so did a certain Barberis in Monaco."

Here ends the Platini years in the French league. With Saint-Etienne, although Platini continued his progression, the results have been mixed, far from the glorious times of the 70's team or even from before, in the eye of those who knew the late-50's and the 60's team.

1 league title in three seasons, two lost finals in the French Cup, the great European nights with large wins over Eindhoven and Hamburg but also the defeats without recourse that came right after, against Moenchengladbach and Ipswich Town.
The team had to be rebuilt, at the start of this new decade, but in the end, the club would never have the ability to win the league again (being also relegated several times, the first time in '84), due to the 1982 slush fund case, that also ponctuates Platini's stint at Saint-Etienne.

A move to Italy was already in the air since his Nancy days. It will be Juventus and their world champions (Zoff, Cabrini, Scirea, Rossi, Gentile, Tardelli) as a replacement, as an upgrade on the excellent Irish midfileder Liam Brady (who gave the victory to his country against Platini's France in '77, at Landsome Road). Boniek is signed for the new season as well, coming from Lodz.

From his own words, after the "biggest French club", Platini joins the "biggest club in the world".

 

@PDG1978 already posted about other Platini's assists he found for the 1981-1982 season (in the french-first-division-assists-leaders-since-1982-1983 thread) :

(once again, in the posts with the ratings, only the FF short game reports were consulted plus some assists rankings when it was held by FF, and when available on FootNostalgie where there are the scans of these short reports. Later on, FF just did the description of the goals and some other actions and nothing else in there, but at this time, it was more a write-up about the development of the match in general, its context, naming some players in accordance with this but not always)

 

Unfortunately there are no scans of the Etoiles d'Or overall rankings (palmarès at rsssf of course, by the end of this page) so I can't provide the details about the number of points they earned (...only, by doing the calculation for each player). I can try spotting some 6* though.

Platini received 4 times the grade of 6 in D1 (76-77 v Bordeaux, 77-78 v Nice, 81-82 2x, v Valenciennes and Bordeaux) + 1 time in D2 (in 74-75 v Sète).
Btw, Nice were co-leader at this point of the season in 1977-78 (with Monaco), then finished 8th with a dozen of games remaining from there, and were beaten by Nancy again in the Cup final.

 

French Cup goals (taken from FF special Platini, 1987) :

I'm not sure about what the asterisks mean (it is the same in Euope with * Lodz - Saint-Etienne, * Saint-Etienne - PSV... Aris... it's not about free-kicks for sure... dunno).


1974-1975 (Nancy, D2) : 7 games/ 13 goals, round of 16.

74 : Lunéville - Nancy : 1-8 (2)
75 : Nancy - Saint-Quentin : 9-1 (3)
75 : Nancy - Saint-Louis : 5-0 (5)
75 : Nancy - Saint-Etienne : 1-1 (1)
75 : Saint-Etienne - Nancy : 3-2 (2)

1975-1976 (Nancy) : 5 games/ 6 goals, semi-finalist.

76: Nancy - Mulhouse : 2-1 (2)
76 : * Nancy - Laval : 3-1 (3)
76 : Marseille - Nancy : 4-1 (1), semi-final in Paris, Parc des Princes [it is in this match that he hurts his head in a duel with Trésor while scoring, with a header. 2:22. He's immediately out through head trauma right after this goal that came at the 60th minute. It was an equalizer. His sub would enter the pitch only 5 minutes later.
Btw, the video has its title wrong about the year, but great film.] Same game, different film here (shorter lenght, better image quality and with comments from Thierry Roland).

1977-1978 (Nancy) : 10 games/ 7 goals, winner.

78 : Nancy - Saint-Brieuc * : 2-1 (1)
78 : * Nancy - Saint-Brieuc : 3-0 (1)
78 : Nancy - Martigues : 2-0 (2, incl. 1 pk)
78 : Martigues - Nancy : 1-1 (1)
78 : Nancy - Sochaux : 5-0 (1), semi-final
78 : Nancy - Nice : 1-0 (1) at Parc des Princes, Paris (final)

1978-1979 (Nancy) : 5 games/ 3 goals, round of 16.

79 : Nancy - Creil : 8-2 (2)
79 : Nancy - Lens : 3-3 (1)

1979-1980 (Saint-Etienne), 7 games/ 5 goals, quarter-finalist.

80 : Saint-Etienne - * Rouen : 4-0 (3)
80 : * Saint-Etienne - Rouen : 4-2 (1)
80 : * Saint-Etienne - Montpellier : 1-1 (1)

1980-1981 (Saint-Etienne), 10 games/ 5 goals, runner-up.

81 : Saint-Etienne - Saint-Dié : 2-0 (1). Played in Nancy.
81 : Saint-Etienne - * FC Valence : 1-0 (1)
81: * Nancy - Saint-Etienne : 2-1 (1)
81 : * Saint-Etienne - Nancy : 3-1 (1)
81 : Montpellier - Saint-Etienne : 1-1 (1), quarter-finals.

1981-1982 (Saint-Etienne), 8 games/ 5 goals, runner-up.

82 : Saint-Etienne - Sanary : 2-0 (1) in Toulon, on sandy ground
82 : * Saint-Etienne - Brest : 2-0 (1)
82 : Saint-Etienne - Bastia : 2-0 (1), semi-final in Paris, Parc des Princes.
82 : Paris St.-Germain - Saint-Etienne : 2-2 (2), final in Paris, Parc des Princes. 6-5 p.s.o.

9 participations, 56 games/ 44 goals (3 in 3 finals, 3 in semi-finals), 1 win ('78, Nancy), 2 times runner-up ('81', '82, Saint-Etienne).

 

Precision/ addition

Thus, here's what happened : in January '79, Platini played the first 30 minutes in one AS Nancy game during their Mexican tour, against Atlante (?), but he could barely hit the ball, even less take shots. At one point, his ankle did not resist.
Well, Onze (in February, monthly mag), say Atlante but it looks more like Monterrey judging on the jersey (if it can be confirmed?)

 

Michel Platini - matches and goals in European Cups (with video). Sorry for the presentation, it's impossible to edit.

UEFA-Cup 1979-1980
1. Widzew Lódz 1 - 2 1 goal (35)
2. Widzew Lódz 3 - 0
3. PSV (Eindhoven) 6 - 0 2 goals (4 / 60)
4. Aris (Thessaloniki) 4 - 1 1 goal (14)
5. Aris (Thessaloniki) 3 - 3
6. Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 - 4 1 goal (56)
7. Borussia Mönchengladbach 0 - 2

UEFA-Cup 1980-1981
8. KuPS (Kuopio) 7 - 0 2 goals (48 / 74) *
9. KuPS (Kuopio) 7 - 0
10. St. Mirren 2 - 0
11. Hamburger SV 5 - 0 2 goals (26 / 87)
12. Hamburger SV 1 - 0
13. Ipswich Town 1 - 4
14. Ipswich Town 1 - 3

Champions Cup 1981-1982
15. Dynamo Berlin 1 - 1
16. Dynamo Berlin 0 - 2

Champions Cup 1982-1983
17. Hvidovre (København) 4 - 1 1 goal (44)
18. Hvidovre (København) 3 - 3 1 goal (64) *
19. Standard Liège 2 - 0
20. Standard Liège 1 - 1
21. Aston Villa 2 - 1
22. Aston Villa 3 - 1 2 goals (13 / 68)
23. Widzew Lódz 2 - 0
24. Widzew Lódz 2 - 2 1 goal (81)
25. Hamburger SV 0 - 1

Cup Winners Cup 1983-1984
26. Lechia Gdansk 7 - 0 2 goals (18 / 26)
27. Lechia Gdansk 3 - 2
28. Paris St. Germain 2 - 2
29. Paris St. Germain 0 - 0
30. Haka (Valkeakoski) 1 - 0
31. Manchester United 1 - 1
32. Manchester United 2 - 1
33. FC Porto 2 - 1

Champions Cup 1984-1985
34. Ilves Tampere 4 - 0 1 goal (44)
35. Ilves Tampere 2 - 1 2 goals (57 / 65)
36. Grasshoppers (Zürich) 2 - 0
37. Grasshoppers (Zürich) 4 - 2 2 goals (61 / 85)
38. Sparta Praha 3 - 0
39. Sparta Praha 0 - 1
40. Girondins de Bordeaux 3 - 0 1 goal (71)
41. Girondins de Bordeaux 0 - 2
42. Liverpool 1 - 0 1 goal (58)

Champions Cup 1985-1986
43. Jeunesse d'Esch 5 - 0
44. Jeunesse d'Esch 4 - 1 1 goal (21)
45. Hellas Verona 0 - 0
46. Hellas Verona 2 - 0 1 goal (19)
47. FC Barcelona 0 - 1
48. FC Barcelona 1 - 1 1 goal (44)

Champions Cup 1986-1987
49. Valur (Reykjavík) 7 - 0
50. Valur (Reykjavík) 4 - 0 2 goals (10 / 86)
51. Real Madrid 0 - 1
52. Real Madrid 1 - 0


Seasons Competitions Goals Matches

1979-1980 UEFA-Cup 5 7
1980-1981 UEFA-Cup 4 7
1981-1982 Champions Cup - 2
1982-1983 Champions Cup 5 9
1983-1984 Cup Winners Cup 2 8
1984-1985 Champions Cup 7 9
1985-1986 Champions Cup 3 6
1986-1987 Champions Cup 2 4

Champions Cup 17 30
Cup Winners Cup 2 8
UEFA-Cup 9 14
Super Cup - 1

Total 28 53

Super Cup Matches and Goals

1984
1. Liverpool 2 - 0

(C) Copyright Marcel Haisma and RSSSF 2007/08
You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the author. All rights reserved.

VIDEO
That video is all about the goals Platini scored on the European stage. No assists (possibly PDG1978 posted it in a thread but I can't remember which one) or any other plays. Only this specific aspect of his game here and in the particular context of the European Cups matches.
It is 25 out of 28 his goals, shown in chronological order. The goals that are missing are marked with an asterisk in the document above.

 

Michel PLATINI - Matchs, Buts et Passes décisives en Equipe de France.

Michel PLATINI - Matches, Goals and Assists in National Team.

#Match.__Année__Compétition/Amical__D/E/N__Adversaire__Score_____B--P (Cf indirect, direct, pen., dist.)
#Match.__Year__Competition/Friendly__H/A/N__Opponent__Score_____G--A (indirect fk, direct, pen., dist.)

1.__1976__Friendly__H__Czechoslovakia__2-2_____1--0 (ifk)
2.__1976__Friendly__A__Hungary_________0-1_____0--0
3.__1976__Friendly__A__Denmark_________1-1_____1--0 (ifk)
4.__1976__WC Qual.__A__Bulgaria________2-2_____1--0 (ifk)
5.__1976__WC Qual.__H__Rep. of Ireland_2-0_____1--1 (9 m./ 9 m. 50)
6.__1977__Friendly__H__West Germany____1-0_____0--0
7.__1977__WC Qual.__A__Rep. of Ireland_0-1_____0--0
8.__1977__Friendly__A__Switzerland_____4-0_____1--1 (dfk)
9.__1977__Friendly__A__Argentina_______0-0_____0--0
10.__1977__Friendly__A__Brazil__________2-2_____0--1
11.__1977__Friendly__H__Soviet Union____0-0_____0--0
12.__1977__WC Qual.__H__Bulgaria________3-1_____1--0 (30 m)
13.__1978__Friendly__A__Italy___________2-2_____1--0 (dfk)
14.__1978__Friendly__H__Brazil__________1-0_____1--0 (18 m)
15.__1978__Friendly__H__Tunisia_________2-0_____1--0 (6-9 m)
16.__1978__WORLD C.__N__Italy___________1-2_____0--0
17.__1978__WORLD C.__N__Argentina_______1-2_____1--0 (6 m near the post)
18.__1978__WORLD C.__N__Hungary_________3-1_____0--0
19.__1979__Euro Qu.__A__Czechoslovakia__0-2_____0--0
20.__1979__Friendly__A__United States___6-0_____0--0
21.__1979__Euro Qu.__A__Sweden__________3-1_____1--1 (10 m from the right with no angle)
22.__1979__Friendly__H__United States___3-0_____1--1 (ifk)
23.__1980__Friendly__H__Greece__________5-1_____2--1 (18 m volley, 9 m volley)
24.__1980__Friendly__H__Netherlands_____0-0_____0--0
25.__1980__Friendly__A__Soviet Union____0-1_____0--0
26.__1980__WC Qual.__A__Cyprus__________7-0_____2--0 (25 m, 9m)
27.__1980__WC Qual.__H__Rep. of Ireland_2-0_____1--0 (9 m)
28.__1980__Friendly__A__West Germany____1-4_____0--0
29.__1981__Friendly__A__Spain___________0-1_____0--0
30.__1981__WC Qual.__A__Belgium_________0-2_____0--0
31.__1981__WC Qual.__A__Rep. of Ireland_2-3_____1--0 (header near the post)
32.__1981__WC Qual.__H__Netherlands_____2-0_____1--0 (dfk from the left angle at 18 m)
33.__1982__Friendly__H__Italy___________2-0_____1--0 (18 m)
34.__1982__Friendly__H__Peru____________0-1_____0--0
35.__1982__Friendly__H__Wales___________0-1_____0--0
36.__1982__WORLD C.__N__England_________1-3_____0--0
37.__1982__WORLD C.__N__Koweit__________4-1_____1--1 (9 m)
38.__1982__WORLD C.__N__Czechoslovakia__1-1_____0--0
39.__1982__WORLD C.__N__North. Ireland__4-1_____0--1
40.__1982__WORLD C.__N__West Germany____3-3_____1--0 (pen.)
41.__1982__Friendly__H__Hungary_________1-0_____0--0
42.__1982__Friendly__A__Netherlands_____2-1_____1--0 (18 m)
43.__1983__Friendly__A__Portugal________3-0_____0--3
44.__1983__Friendly__H__Soviet Union____1-1_____0--1
45.__1983__Friendly__A__Denmark_________1-3_____1--0 (from near the post)
46.__1983__Friendly__H__Spain___________1-1_____0--0
47.__1984__Friendly__H__England_________2-0_____2--0 (header at 6m, dfk 18 m)
48.__1984__Friendly__H__Scotland________2-0_____0--2
49.__1984__EURO CH.__H__Denmark_________1-0_____1--0 (18 m)
50.__1984__EURO CH.__H__Belgium_________5-0_____3--0 (18m left foot, pen. right foot, header 9m)
51.__1984__EURO CH.__H__Yugoslavia______3-2_____3--0 (near the post with the left, header 10m, dfk 18 m)
52.__1984__EURO CH.__H__Portugal________3-2_____1--1 (6 m)
53.__1984__EURO CH.__H__Spain___________2-0_____1--0 (dfk 18 m)
54.__1984__WC Qual.__A__Luxembourg______4-0_____1--0 (6 m)
55.__1984__WC Qual.__H__Bulgaria________1-0_____1--0 (pen.)
56.__1984__WC Qual.__H__East Germany____2-0_____0--0
57.__1985__WC Qual.__A__Yugoslavia______0-0_____0--0
58.__1985__WC Qual.__A__Bulgaria________0-2_____0--0
59.__1985__Int.Cup.__H__Uruguay_________2-0_____0--1
60.__1985__WC Qual.__A__East Germany____0-2_____0--0
61.__1985__WC Qual.__H__Luxembourg______6-0_____0--2
62.__1985__WC Qual.__H__Yugoslavia______2-0_____2--0 (dfk 18m, half-volley 20 m)
63.__1986__Friendly__H__North. Ireland__0-0_____0--0
64.__1986__WORLD C.__N__Canada__________1-0_____0--0
65.__1986__WORLD C.__N__Soviet Union____1-1_____0--0
66.__1986__WORLD C.__N__Hungary_________3-0_____0--1
67.__1986__WORLD C.__N__Italy___________2-0_____1--0 (from 15 m on the right)
68.__1986__WORLD C.__N__Brazil__________1-1_____1--0 (near the post, always on the left)
69.__1986__WORLD C.__N__West Germany____0-2_____0--0
70.__1986__Euro Qu.__H__Soviet Union____0-2_____0--0
71.__1986__Euro Qu.__A__East Germany____0-0_____0--0
72.__1987__Euro Qu.__H__Iceland_________2-0_____0--1

72 international games/ 41 goals/ 20 assists

World Cup: 14/ 5/ 3.
Euro Champ.: 5/ 9/ 1.
Great tournaments = 19/ 13/ 4

Liste détaillées des buts sur coup-franc de Michel Platini.
Deatailed list of free-kicks goals by Michel Platini.

Direct (7): Switzerland 77, Italy 78, Netherlands 81, England 84, Yugoslavia 84, Spain 84, Yugoslavia 85.
Indirect (4): Czechoslovakia 76, Denmark 76, Bulgaria 76, United States 79.

Liste détaillée des passes décisives de Platini avec noms des buteurs.
Detailed list of Platini's assists with scorers' names.

Ireland 76 (Bathenay) - Switzerland 77 (Rocheteau) - Brazil 77 (Six) - Sweden 79 (B.Lacombe)
- United States 79 (Wagner) - Greece 80 (Christophe) - Koweit 82 (Six) - N. Ireland 82 (Giresse) -
Portugal 83 (Stopyra, Ferreri, Stopyra) - Soviet Union 83 (Fernandez) -
Scotland 84 (Giresse, B.Lacombe) - Portugal 84 (Domergue) - Uruguay 85 (Rocheteau)
Luxembourg (Rocheteau on fk, Giresse on a lateral pass and a little last dribble by Giresse so I was near to not count this one)
Hungary 86 (Rocheteau) - Iceland 87 (Micchiche).

Rocheteau 4x.

Note:
Une "demi-passe décisive" pour B.Lacombe contre les USA n'a pas été comptée car touchée par le bras d'un joueur américain.
A "semi-assist" to B.Lacombe vs USA (match #20) is not counted here since it was touched by one American player's arm.
Others like that or " pre-assists" could be spotted.

@ footballyesterdayandtoday.blogspot.com
+ same as what rsssf said (in the previous post)

VIDEO : ses 41 buts internationaux.
VIDEO : his 41 NT goals.




Puisque nous parlons passes décisives voici un petit bonus video :
Since we're discussing assists here is a little video bonus :

Portugal - France 83 : Platini, Hat-trick de la passe/ Platini, Hat-trick of the assist.



The Portuguese were experimentating with the "off-side trap" it seems.

Une dernière petite note, pas mal choisis les amicaux en 83.
A last little note : well chosen, the friendlies in '83.