Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Les Bleus: 4-3-3 but who will make the link?

So Deschamps rolls back out with a 4-3-3, but without Diaby in the middle. And he will put together two natural strikers - Giroud and Benzema in the top 3 of the formation.

Le onze français :
Lloris - Jallet, Yanga Mbiwa, Sakho, Evra -  Cabaye, Capoue, Mavuba - Ribéry, Giroud, Benzema

A couple of questions:
  • Who will provide the offensive linkage? Without Diaby, more of this will fall on the shoulders of Cabaye. Mavuba and Capoue to me are much more traditional holding players. The Newcastle midfielder will be looked to replicate his game that he demonstrated against the Ukraine. Playing a more offensive role.
  • Up front, what will it look like between the offensive three? We all know of Benzema's tendency to drop deep and roam, this might be okay in this formation with Giroud up front. But if Benzema is expected to hold the right wing as well that might make the offense lean even more to Ribery's side. I just do not see Benzema playing a traditional right wing role. I could also imagine Ribery slotting more centrally at times and really playing a 4-3-1-2 style formation. Of course that would require that Benzema and Giroud stay high on the pitch.
  • Will Jallet bring some offense to the right side? The PSG fullback will be asked to hold that channel and bring some offense to that side of the formation. With Benzema, most likely, not being able to play a traditional right wing role. Look for the right back to be asked to do a lot of running tonight.
France should win this game. I realize that Belarus sprung the surprise last trip to Paris, and hopefully that is fresh in this team's mind. But just Ribery - Benzema - Giroud should create and finish enough chances to get the full three points. Anything less will be a bad failure.

Prediction - France 3 : Belarus 0. Ribery (2) and Benzema

Allez Les Bleus!

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