A couple of thoughts on the players selected for the England game and the Mali game (the JV team, going on now):
- Boumsong....once again....why? Is he really the best option as a cover in the center of the
French defense? I just do not understand what Domenech is doing as he continues to select the former Auxerre defender. I cannot imagine Boumsong replacing Mexes or Escude as the second options behind Gallas and Thuram....and in a pinch Abidal would be a better option to slot into the middle of the park. I am not even sure Boumsong should be ahead of Givet or Squillaci....so why select him? Why not take a young defender, someone like Kaboul and let him taste the big team...see if he is the future. - Trezegol - The leading scorer for Serie A and France's second highest active goal scorer finds
himself back from Siberia after Benzema had to pull out of the squad. While I am happy to see David back in the mix, I think that his presence due to injury means that he remains an after thought. Domenech either needs to continue including this world class player or cut bait and start calling up younger strikers, someone like Gouffran or Payet. However this constant state of flux for the Juventus striker will not help him, the team or the younger players.
So here is the list for tomorrow's match:
Landreau, Coupet - Abidal, Clerc, Escudé, Evra, Gallas, Mexès, Thuram - A. Diarra, L. Diarra, Flamini, Makelele, Toulalan, Malouda, Ribéry - Anelka, Cissé, Govou, Trezeguet
Overall the list is what we are accustom to seeing from Domenech - his binkies LDiarra, Gouvou are present. Here is what I would like to see for a starting line up a 4-2-2-2:
Coupet in net - he remains the undisputed #1 for France.
Abidal, Gallas, Mexes, Evra - back four. We all know Thuram's quality and experience, but Domenech needs to figure out which central defender could slot in with Gallas in the middle of the French defense. Evra's form with Manchester United earns him a starting slot.
Flamini, Toulalan - This would be an interesting defensive midfield pairing. Flamini has had two great seasons at Arsenal, some have nickname him "the french gattuso" a lofty name to live up to, but he has been Arsenal's best defensive/enforcer midfielder. Toulalan has demonstrated his value in a similar role for Lyon, I think they two young midfielders will need to start learning to play on the same pitch together. I think it is clear that when the Euros start we will see Vieira and Makelele in this role, but friendly matches are to see what else you have on the roster.
Ribery, Malouda- Since the world cup these two midfield dynamos have been firmly entrenched on both midfield flanks. Other than dropping Gouvou to one of these roles. Moving to 2 attacking midfielders will allow Ribery to drift more to the middle of the park, allow his creativity and dribbling to create confusion in the English defense.
Trezegol, Anelka - Yes I want to see Trezegol given his chance up front with Anelka. They have worked well together in the past. Anelka is more of a floating striker...a player that is not afraid to drift back to pick up the ball and taken on defenders, hitting crosses into the box, flicking on etc. Trezegol is the perfect second striker to this system since he is a true "fox in the box" and can latch on to a half chance to score. I think with Ribery and Malouda running the flanks they should be able to serve nice crosses into the penalty box.
I think this match will give France a good test, playing against England is never a simple "friendly" add in the buzz around Beckham's 100th cap should give this game a bigger feel than a friendly and should allow some of the French players to get a good test.
Predictions: France 3 - England 1....I think Beckham will score an early goal off a free kick. Only to see Trezegol strike back with a brace and Cisse will score a late goal.
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