France v Argentina and other thoughts

Later today France and Argentina will face off against one another in Marseilles. The last time these two sides met, the south americans showed off their class and exploited a piecemeal French defense for a well deserved 1-0 victory. It could have been much worse and France never really threaten Argentina. Will this match be any different? For some reason I doubt it, I think the outcome will be the same....why? Because France has yet to solve the problems that haunted them when they met at Stade de France!

• Defensive issues remain the down fall for Les Bleus. During that match France had to employ a little used defense of Sagnol - Escude - Squillaci - Abidal, the middle pairing was clearly not comfortable with one another at the time. This lack of experience with one another allowed for Saviola to score on what should have been a cleared ball by the defense. The issue, is that this problem still exists with Les Bleus! They continue to struggle defensively, on set pieces, and do not have the system and familiarity that a defensive alignment needs to succeed. While I hold out hope that Gallas - Mexes is given time to work, not sure 3 days of training will make this happen.
• Tactically I think that Domenech is starting to see how the attack will be run - through Gourcuff. But what about Henry, Benzema, Anelka, Nasri? Where do they all slot. While I do not think this is a major concern, I do think that Les Bleus need to figure out very quickly if Henry is best suited on the left flank with Benzema up front, and if the young Lyonnaise can provide the goals the team needs.
• General management continues to be an issue for me, and that all stems from Domenech. For the first time I was happy to see the list he sent out for the game....right up to the point he decided to bring in Boumsong. I still question his in game tactics. I do not think he substitutes well nor manages the flow of the game as a national team manager needs to do. This has definitely not changed since that last Argentina - France match.

So do France have a chance? Of course, playing in Marseilles will help since the velodrome is always a tough place for the opposition. I also think France can exploit one of Argentina's weaknesses - Heinze. I am not sure the Real Madrid defender can contain Ribery or Henry coming down the flanks. It will also be interesting how Argentina look to contain Gourcuff, will Masherano and Gago be ordered to mark the French midfielder? A task both are very capable of doing. In the end I just see too much fire power on the Argentine side - Messi, Tevez, Aguero, I think Masherano will shut down much of the French creativity by winning his battle with Gourcuff, and the French defense still has too many question marks. So I will stick with my earlier prediction of Argentina 2 - France 1.

There are some other games of interest today, in particular US v Mexico, one of the most heated international rivalries in international footie. This is the start of World Cup qualifiers for the CONCACAF region, and once again we know that the US and Mexico will make it and then a third team will emerge. So does this game have any real significance? The loser will not be out, and the winner will know they will most likely qualify. What is significant is this is the a good test for both teams, this is the only game that will really push both sides and the hatred is real. It is being played in America's heartland again, a move the US made a few years back realizing that playing a game against Mexico in a place like LA or Miami is more like a home game for Mexico, so why not have it in the an place where it might be 20 degrees and snowing. Because you know Mexico will make you play them at Azteca, where is it very difficult to breath let alone win for the US! I think the US will win, Mexico is looking a little disjointed recently and will not have some of their youth either due to suspension or because they are rusty from not getting enough game action for their clubs - Vela the former, Dos Santos the later. Still a good, entertaining match to watch. Especially to see if Landicakes mocks his Mexican foes!