Sunday, November 15, 2009

France v Ireland....Part II...more injuries

The latest news from Clairefontaine, Abidal is out for the return leg on Wednesday (so is Toulalan but he was already injured for the Dublin clash). This is an interesting wrinkle for the match. Abidal played, other than the terrible mistake late in the game gifting the ball to the Irish in the French camp, a very strong game. He was able to bring a degree of calmness and steadiness that the central defense has not had in a long time.

So what will Domenech resort to in the return leg? Clearly the favorite should be Squillaci, who shouldered Gallas very nicely when given the chance. In addition, Squillaci is a big center back and strong in the air, clearly something the French will need defending the long ball bombs the Irish are sure to lob into the French 18 yard box in Paris. I cannot see Domenech going with Escude, who has been shaky in the past few games from Les Bleus, especially against Romania when his own goal gave Romania the draw in Paris. Interestingly, Domenech has not looked to call up replacements for either player. I would think this opportunity would be a golden chance for him to at least call up his binky - Boumsong.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another Tensed Moment....But i think it will b very easy match for France. Ireland team as like as Lithuania. because this Two Team Has no world class Player. Romania and Serbia Has some world class player. so dont worry. But i m very tensed... Always i think 93...i believe that After Brazil France has more World class player.

Thanks
Lekarlokin

GFC said...

I agree that France have some world class players, I believe I have heard that 20 of France's squad play in the Champions League...on teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich...to name a few. But I am not as confident. Let us not forget 1993, France had 2 chances to wrap up the qualification at home...and lost both. At that time they had the likes of Ginola, Cantona, Papin...so no slouches. We shall see. But I like your confidence!

Anonymous said...

France is cursed by injurys and early retirements :(. I found an interesting interview with Erva on the Fifa site.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1134765.html#evra+the+hardest+part+still+ahead