The first thing that strikes me is the defensive pairing of Mbiwa and Sakho, both who go the full run versus Uruguay. To me both played a solid game against the South American nation, but there is a risk - neither has a large sample size of international games to judge what we might expect from them. A friendly in August is much different from a qualifier in Finland...
In a way, Giroud being a forfeit forced Deschamps' hand - no two headed strike force. Rather Deschamps looks to line up a 4-3-3 with Ribery on the left and Menez on the right, supporting the lone striker Benzema. The key will be the midfield - and if Cabaye and Diaby can carry the creativity and linkage from their midfield positions. Mavuba will most likely be called upon to drop deeper to provide cover to the back 4. Deschamps has gone with experience at his wide back positions with Evra and Reveillere.
What I will be watching for is can Benzema keep a high line, can he stay closer to the last defender's shoulder or will he drop deep looking for the ball? If the fullbacks, Diaby and Cabaye can get the ball up the field fast enough and keep the ball moving to the wide positions - high up the pitch - then Benzema should get the service he needs to increase his goal tally.
Les Bleus need to start fast, with a return game against Belarus, they need to target at WORST 4 points from these two matches, but really 6 points is what is expected.
Prediction: France 2 - Finland 0 goals from Menez and Ribery.
Allez Les Bleus!!
2 comments:
The Giroud injury report was on the vague side - muscle pain? I'm speculating that he might have been ok to start if Deschamps was really set on it. As it is, I'll be happy to see Menez play, and I'm hoping he'll do well and get another goal.
Good point, not sure the severity of the injury. Regardless it "forced" Deshamps hand. Granted, Deschmps could have slotted Gomis up front to shoulder Benzema as well.
The two wingers will be vital to animating the offense how well they do this with the offensive support from Diaby and Cabaye will determine if Les Bleus can put some goals, through Benzema, in the back of the net.
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