France v Ireland....the intangibles

Okay last part of my ramblings on the upcoming France v Ireland match...well last area of focus prior to my predictions. So let us take a look at the intangibles.

Ireland - They will be hosting the first leg of the home and away series. An advantage? Yes and no. It is if you can hold your opponent goalless, then you know heading back to their home pitch all you need is a non-goalless draw or straight victory to move on, and if the game ends goalless you go to extra time. Also, even if you are heading back with a deficit, at least you know what you need to do to move on (so will the French, but the Irish will have the ability to grab away goals which adds a slight edge) - granted that does not always mean you will or can achieve that need.....but at least you know how to prepare. Second, Croke Park will be a veritable green cauldron, giving the Irish a tremendous home field advantage. With a capacity over 80,000 I am sure the place will be a very vocal and strong 12th man for the Irish. While the majority of the French players play in front of similar crowds on a regular basis for their clubs, the boost it will give the Dunne's and Keane's of Ireland will not be insignificant. Finally Ireland are clearly the underdog, they are playing the World Cup finalist, Ireland already held more than their own twice versus defending World Cup champion Italy. They are only 1 of 5 nations that did not lose a game during the qualifying campaign. Ireland is managed by a veteran Italian manager....what about Les Bleus?

France - Les Bleus are a team still trying to find their soul...these games will either give them a definition and purpose, or will force them to watch the games from their couches and for the rebuilding to commence...under a new manager. I realize that the last two matches showed what France is capable of...granted one of the teams was Faroe Islands...and the other Austria...so not power house nations. I am not convinced that the team knows who they are, have resolved their beef with Domenech or really know what they are trying to accomplish. I know that the FFF has changed some ticketing policy, but I fear that the Stade the France might look a little too green for my liking on the return leg. Remember what the stadium looked like during the Scottish matches in the Euro 2008 qualifiers? Fans from the UK travel very well. Finally, France is clearly not where they expected or wanted to be. Clearly when the groups were announced most pundits figured France would get the automatic qualifier and Romania/Serbia would fight for the second spot...oops. After a terrible start and a shaky and unconvincing campaign, France pulled into the second spot (which really was not guaranteed until late) and now have to play 2 crucial matches rather than playing tune up friendlies. The question is how does this weigh on the French mentality? Were this team lead by a manager such as Wenger, Mourinho, Hiddink or even Benitez I would have more faith, however they are led by Dumbenech. I am not convinced that he can motivate and organize his team to succeed. I just look back to the Euros, France head into the last match against Italy and need a win to have any hopes to advance. So he lines up a different back tandem in central defense - Abidal/Gallas. After Abidal gets red carded rather than reorganize with scoring goals in mind....he brings in Boumsong for Nasri???? This after he had already lost Ribery to injury....um how is that for big game management?

Advantage - Ireland. They are the underdog, they have the more rabid fans, they have nothing to lose and they will head to France knowing what they need to do with the potential for away goals...