Finish line in sight - Domenech announces his list for the last 2 World Cup qualifiers

Two games left...and then, hopefully, the 2nd place playoff...the automatic qualifier seems out of reach for now. With matches against Faroe Islands and then Austria, Les Bleus still have much work to do to place themselves in a position to get to South Africa next year. Let us look at the list of players selected by Domenech:

Gardiens :
Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Nicolas Douchez (Rennes)

Défenseurs :
Gaël Clichy (Arsenal), Julien Escudé (Séville), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Sébastien Squillaci (Séville), Eric Abidal (Barcelone), Rod Fanni (Rennes).

Milieux de terrain :
Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)

Attaquants :
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelone), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid).

The big news is the lack of Gourcuff, who was injured in Bordeaux's Champions League match, and will not be available for the next two matches for Les Bleus. This is of some concern. But realistically Les Bleus should defeat the Faroe Islands and then at least get a draw against Austria in the final game of the qualifiers to secure their #2 spot in the group and places them firmly into the 2nd place playoff situation.

Just to clarify the situation, France sits on 15 points, in the determination of the best 2nd place teams the number of points taken from the last place team in the groups with 6 teams will be taken away from the total points - to make it even with the last group which only has 5 teams - so Les Bleus, would right now already be better than Norway and Scotland who are on 10 points with no more games to play. France also sits 4 points ahead of Austria for 2nd place in their group. If they win against Faroe Islands, France will head into the last game against Austria still 4 points ahead and therefore qualified for the 2nd place playoffs.

So not having Gourcuff is not crucial, it is much more important that the Bordeaux playmaker is available for the playoff. Why I am slightly concerned is that these two games need to be approached with the play off in mind, allow Domenech to determine how France will approach the home and away matches. Having Gourcuff would have been good for this. Allowing the team to figure out how they need to approach the next round and how to utlise Gourcuff - Ribery et al on offense. Withou the Bordeaux playmaker, Domenech will be deprived of this opportunity - assuming he would even know what to do with the chance.

I do like Sissoko being included. To me he is the natural replacement for Pat Vieira - he had a high motor, strong tackler and adds some offensive punch. I think this would be a good opportunity to see if he cannot be the player to partner with Diarra in the defensive midfield role, maybe move Toulalan back to central defense...hmmmm. Or maybe, gasp, play 3 holding fielders a la France 1998 - Toulalan, Sissoko and Diarra - sorry to even suggest that.

A nice highlight of Sissoko from the past weekend. Great acceleration and finishing:



I will also be interested, as will many of us, to see what the central defense pairing will look like. Once again no Mexes in the squad. Not surprised to see Gouvou back in the line up, he could actually be a good option on the right side, although I think that Remy should be given a chance to be in that channel. I also think that Luyindula would be an option to hold the right wing.

Ok Domenech, your list is not a huge surprise, you need to get ready for the play off games...you better use these two matches and training sessions well. I have little doubt that Les Bleus will get at least 4 point from the next two matches and therefore position themselves for the play off.