The Ribery Dilemna

As the match versus Romania rapidly approaches, Domenech has a pressing dilemma on his hands - what to do with Ribery? The Bayern midfielder is not 100%. However he remains the talisman of the French national team, the player Les Bleus look to when things get tough. See the following example from the Lithuania match.



He has scored 2 of France's last 4 goals. The Ribery -Gourcuff tandem was very dangerous during the game at Romania. So what to do? Should Domenech save Ribery for the away match against Serbia? Should he use him as a super sub against Romania, use him only if need be? Should he start Ribery and tell him "play a good 45 minutes and I will then take you out at the half."

Of course, in his infinite wisdom, Domenech does not really have an alternative that can play on the right wing. Remy could be the best option, but a lot to ask of a youngster for Les Bleus. He could slot Anelka out there as he did against the Faroe Islands, but the Chelsea man's natural tendency is to drift back to the center of the park, back towards his natural position as a high striker. Domenech could try Gignac out wide on the right, but I fear he would have the same tendencies as Anelka. Too bad Domenech passed on selecting players such as Luyindula who is having a good start of the season with PSG.

Here is the tact I would take -

• Keep Ribery on the bench as your offensive wild card.
• Have Henry play his prefered spot on the left side.
• Have Remy jump into the deep end by slotting him on the right.
• Start either Benzema or Anelka up front.
• Formation - Abidal, Squillaci, Gallas, Evra -- Toulalan, Diarra -- Henry, Gourcuff, Remy -- Anelka.

If Les Bleus can jump on Romania, get up a goal or two they could keep Ribery on the bench. If they need a jump start, think of bringing him on late for Remy on the wing. You can always look to Benzema/Gignac to come in late as a 2nd striker or to give a change of pace from Anelka. If Domenech can find a way to "save" Ribery for the Serbia game, that would give him many options for that match. What I fear is that France goes up a goal, has the game in hand and Domenech still decides to run out Ribery...similar to what he did against the Faroe Islands.

The real problem behind all this, Domenech once again has selected players, all solid, but not necessarily fit into the formation he clinges to. France do not have a natural right wing, have a conflict on the left (Henry, Ribery and Malouda prefer that slot) and has no clear center forward (Benzema? Anelka? Henry? Gignac? all solid options, but no clear #1). Granted the lose of Nasri takes away an option for a right sided player. Players such as Luyindula, Remy, Menez to name a few, could be the options to fill the right side of the offense. There is still time to figure this out....but that is fleeting.

Oooof, Merci Ribery - France gets the essential done

That was a difficult match to watch, not to dissimilar from the last time the two nations faced off at Lithuania. Last match the game was unlocked late by Les Bleus with a fantastic long distance strike from Anelka.



This time it was the Kaiser - Ribery - that freed France and allowed them to return to Paris with out the incredible burden that would have fallen on their shoulders had they only take home 1 point. However, unlike the last time the two nations met in Kaunus, Les Bleus actually could have easily come home 3-0 or 4-0 winners. Let us dive into the game:

The Good:

• 3 points, this is good, well just think how bad and UGLY it would have been had Les Bleus not secured the victory. With Serbia securing the full 3 points away to Roumania (Les Bleus barely scrapped together 1 point from the same visit), the pressure was on France's shoulders to get the full compliment of points otherwise they might have been, at best, looking at the 2nd spot in group 7. Now France get to return home for the match on Wednesday against Lithuania in Paris, and should expect to get the full compliment of 3 points again.
• The 3 points would not have been secured had Ribery not "freed" Les Bleus from what could have been a disaster. The Kaiser demonstrated that he is becoming the catalyst and the leader of Les Bleus. The offense is clearly going to be built around the Bayern playmaker - http://tinyurl.com/d4tf7a. His understanding with Gourcuff is the key to the midfield and more importantly the offense. With Gourcuff still finding his sea legs, Henry on the back nine of his career, Anelka being an enigma and Benzema not finding any consistency in his game, the offense really hinges around the diminutive midfielder.

• Speaking of Gourcuff, he needs to get a gold star as well for his game. Compared to his showing against Argentina (granted a heavyweight in footie), the young Girodins had a good match once again showing that his tandem with Ribery is the key to the France midfield. While I think he is still getting accustom to the heavy burden of being both France and Bordeaux's play maker, he is showing why he is so highly regarded in international footie. As Yoann begins to understand how to pace himself and ensure he can weather the strain placed on a player of his caliber he will only grow further in the role as #10 for Les Bleus.
  
• The other player that deserves a good rating was Squillaci, the Sevilla central defender brought a lot of stability to the center of the French defense. Granted, France was not really tested, although there were some dangerous free kicks into the area. What I did see from Squillaci was a calmness on high balls that France has rarely had in the recent past. This does not mean that Mexes is not the future, but it would appear that there are some good options, slowly bubbling to the surface for France.
• One player for Lithuania deserves kudos - Karcemarkas - the baltic keeper made some huge saves. Early on he came out and closed down Luyindula on what could have been the opening goal. He was strong through out the match. On the point blank attempt by Toulalan, while the shot was blocked by a defender, the Lithuania keeper had the goal covered. He was also decisive on the the one on one match up with Nasri. The Ribery goal was impossible to stop.

The Bad:

• French finishing - again Les Bleus did the essential and the Lithuania keeper made some huge stops. However, France needed to be more efficient on their chances. Luyindula could have put up Les Bleus up early, but hurried his attempt at goal. The same occurred when Nasri came on the pitch and had a clear 1 on 1 with the keeper and buried the ball into the on rushing Baltic keeper. Gourcuff also had a great chance in the first half where he took a cross off the bounce and watched his shot settle harmlessly into the keeper's arms.
• Hard for me to call him bad, but I have to put Henry as bad. Not for his play, but I think that putting him up front alone is not really his best position these days. Henry has found himself comfortable on left side of the offense, similar to his role at Barcelona. So why does Domenech stick him alone at the point? Not sure...maybe the astrologist told him to do so. Granted, with the injuries to Anelka, Gignac, and Briand, Domenech might not have had the options to play with Henry on the wing. Obviously it appears that Benzema has fallen out of favor with Domenech and is not trusted to play the entire 90 minutes. Then again I am not sure that Benzema is at his best when he does not have a strike partner to shoulder him up front.

The Ugly:

• Speaking of which, Benzema...it is getting a little ugly with the one time rising French star. Granted he is going through a difficult time for both club and country, all players go through this. But the lack of confidence in the young Lyon player is not good. Additionally, Benzema has not really taken the opportunities when they have been given to him. He was suppose to carry Les Bleus during the Euros, but failed to show up...well the entire team forgot to show up. He has struggled with Lyon this season, at least has not lived up to the lofty goals imposed on him. I think that Benzema can navigate these times of difficulty, hopefully Domenech continues to leverage him, his talent and potential are too immense to be kept down for much longer.
• Domenech and his creativity or lack thereof. Granted, I cannot write about a France game without somehow bashing the manager. So what is ugly about this version of Domenech? First, I am not sure why Les Bleus had to play two traditional holding midfielders. Maybe if Domenech had had some creativity and played a Diaby or a Nasri next to Toulalan or Diarra, France would not have had to wait so long in the game to score a goal. Based on the fact Lithuania did not ever really threaten the French goal, except via set pieces, would another offensive player been the key to the match? I think yes. Especially one such as Diaby, who is more defensive that a Nasri and more offensive than either Toulalan or Diarra. Second, I think that Luyindula was good on the right side of the pitch, but what was ugly was the fact Henry was played alone at the top of the attack, a role he has not played in a while. What this did was left Peguy alone on the right, making most of the play go down the left side. Making Luyindula, too often, a man on an island. The right side was too often ignored. Maybe Domenech could have leveraged Nasri on that side allowing he and Ribery to change sides during the match, keeping the game more balanced. Finally, once again I need to question Domenech's substitutions. Toulalan had a huge game, but picked up a yellow card early. After the French went up 1-0, maybe Domenech should have thought about swapping out Toulalan for ADiarra or Diaby. Why? The Lyon midfielder was still running around the pitch making hard tackles, at times borderline tackles that could have warranted another yellow card, not something you need when defending a 1 goal lead.
  
• The pitch. I realize the Baltics are just emerging from the winter, but the pitch was AWEFUL. It looked worse than a pitch a weekend pub league would play on. Clearly France was not able to play some of their quick passing, combination play that a team with the likes of Ribery, Gourcuff, Henry et al. would enjoy on a pitch worthy of international play. Granted this played to the Lithuania's advantage, so maybe they had no desire to keep a high quality pitch!
  

Overall Les Bleus played well enough to earn the 3 full points. With some better finishing, the game would have been secured well before the Ribery goal. I still have little faith in Domenech and his strategy, creativity and ability to infuse confidence in his team. The next game, again against Lithuania, in Paris will be another big test for Les Bleus. France must take the full 3 points again, the away lose to Austria and draw against Romania mean all these game are vital if France have any hope of going to South Africa.

Domenech once again surprises everyone

We are moments away from a huge World Cup qualifier for Les Bleus against Lithuania...and once again the "genius" that is Domenech springs one on us. Here is the starting line up -

Mandanda - Sagna, Squillaci, Gallas, Evra - Toulalan, L. Diarra - Luyindula, Gourcuff, Ribéry - Henry.

Um...ok. The Squillaci - Gallas combo is not a huge surprise since all week it appeared that Mexes was once again relegated to the bench even though the Roma player had two decent outings with Les Bleus. What is really a head scratcher is Luyindula on the left. Um, uh okay. Now I like the PSG player and I think he has some of the skills to unblock the wing for Les Bleus...however I do not think that he should be ahead of Henry or Nasri on the flank. This move reminds me too much of a Gouvou move for Domenech, maybe Peguy is his new Binky. Maybe some astrology has told Domenech to make this move and Luyindula will entertain us with a brace...one can dream.

I am also a bit disappointed that Domenech does not try something a bit different, put a more offensive midfielder on the shoulder of Diarra, such as Diaby. This would give more offensive punch and with the tall Diaby allow France to better defend on the one area I fear against Lithuania - set pieces.

Part of me hopes that France loses and Domenech gets the ax....again one can dream

PSG's lost opportunity...sigh

Ok I have finally recovered...sort of....from a difficult sport watching weekend. France got trounced by England in the six nations tourney, the Bruins got mauled by the Penguins, and of course PSG lost to hated rival Marseilles. Well at least Arsenal won and Manchester United lost, then again that might too little too late...ok so lets try to revisit the PSG game.

The Good:

• Both teams looked to carry the game to the other, both teams allowed their offenses to attack. Guily and Hourau looked good as the up front tandem for PSG with Luyindula and Rothen roaming the flanks. The defense looked fairly solid, until they lost Camara to a red card. Marseilles' Zenden looked a completely different player and Brandao looked dangerous up front, the first goal being a great piece of work between both players.
• The fans appeared fairly restrained. This derby match usual leads to numerous arrests, violence, and overall fan mayhem. This match seemed to be much more tame, which is good for the security in Paris.
• The keepers, both Landreau and Mandanda are at the top of their games and both played well. Granted Landreau gave up 3 goals, but none were his fault they were all superbly taken chances by OM. Mandanda looked solid and showed more confidence in taking on the balls lobbed into the penalty area. What pains me, is that based on this showing, and more importantly his season so far, it is clear that Landreau should still be in the mix for France's #1 slot, too bad Domenech is a bit clueless when it comes to managing his keepers.

The Bad:

• Giving up 3 goals...ugh....how can that be anything but bad!!!
  
• Missed opportunity for PSG, with Lyon losing at home to Auxerre, Paris had a great opportunity to at least draw even with the leaders in France. With a win, PSG would have been 2 points clear of Lyon and leader of Ligue 1. What a lost opportunity. First of all, there was no need for additional motivation for PSG in this game, anytime PSG plays OM there is no need for either team to be motivated to play hard. But what really kills me is that PSG had a fantastic chance to take the lead of the title chase...this from a team that was battling relegation last season. Granted Marseilles was also highly motivated, with a win they would draw even with PSG in second place, and 1 point behind Lyon. Additionally they would want to avenge the 4-2 loss at the velodrome.

The Ugly:

• Missing Sessegnon, it was clear that the one element that Paris missed was their talented #10. Sessegnon has become the intrigal part of PSG, controlling the center of the park being supported by Makelele, Chantome and Clement with the above mentioned on the flanks. Without the Benin international, PSG was not able to control the middle of the pitch as well as the pace of the game well enough to slow down the Marseilles counters. For PSG to have a real chance to win the Ligue 1 title, Sessegnon will need to stay out of suspension trouble and stay on the pitch. The next few weeks will be crucial, leading up to the April 25th match at Gerland against Lyon. Sessegnon will be vital in allowing the PSG offense to continue to click.

This was not a devastating lose for PSG. They remain 1 point behind Lyon and still have a match against the leader. The upcoming stretch will be crucial - Toulouse, Nice, Lille, Le Havre and then Lyon. Other than Le Havre, all these teams are in the top half of the table. Marseilles and Lyon have an easier stretch but their final part of the season is brutal, including a head to head between OM and OL. If PSG can be in first place by the last month of the season, they stand a good chance to some how winning the title. Not bad for a team that seemed destined for Ligue 2 last season.

Some low lights of the game....from a PSG's fans perspective -