Welcome to the "Frog," my little piece of cyberspace to talk about my passion - le foot (or soccer for my North American friends) especially anything around French football. Of course I will have some guest contributors that might want to discuss other aspects of footy!
I support Les Bleus, Arsenal and PSG but really just love watching, analyzing and following the beautiful game.
"You have to trust your teammates, always. If not we are lost."
France have a quick turn around, after defeating Spain in Paris, they will head East to face Serbia in "qualifiers." Since France is guaranteed a spot in the next Euros...they are the hosts...they are in Group I of qualifiers. This set up allows them to navigate the next two years under the guise of playing qualifiers - ensuring matches and hopefully simulating a real qualifying campaign.
This should be a good test for Les Bleus. They will be heading into a hostile environment against a team with legitimate aspirations to qualify directly to the Euros. With the rapid turn around it is evident that DD will look to rotate some of his roster. From all indications that will be the case.
Only Lloris, Pogba, Sissoko and Varane appear ready to keep their starting roles. I even question why Lloris needs to get another game when Mandanda could use the time to get rid of some international rust...
The apparent changes will give some time to the likes of Cabella, Mathieu and Scheiderlin. Players who have much to gain from these matches if they hope to go to the Euros. It appears that DD will go back to his 4-3-3 with the following line up -
Mathieu at center back is an interesting twist. Not really known to play
that role, what will the Barcelona man bring to the table? And does DD
really see him as an option to play center back? After coming off the bench it appears we will see Cabaye back in his starting role - patrolling the space in front of the back 4. Scheiderlin will be getting his second start for France and should be given some greater chances to show what he can do on the creative side, looking to shoulder Pogba in launching the French offense. Up front we will have a very piece meal trio, without a true center forward, and once again a non traditional right winger. I see Cabella as a more natural central midfielder, pulling the strings from the center of the park. Could the formation morph into something of a bastardized 4-4-2? With Sissoko dropping deeper and Cabella and Remy interchanging at the top of the formation? There is no real target #9 in this formation, so look for any offense to have to be created by the collective effort and with the three midfielders to jump up into the offensive end.
It will be interesting to see how Les Bleus react after having played on Thursday. It is a quick turn around in a very hostile environment....
Feels like the World Cup finals were yesterday...and we are already back in the swing of the international football schedule. France and Spain headlined a decent roster of matches including Argentina v Germany and Italy v Holland. While the match ups, on paper, were mouth watering, the resulting games were, as expected, were a tad drab. So what to make of France's 1-0 win over Spain?
The Good:
France continue their positive rebuilding. After falling 1-0 to the eventual World Cup Champions Germany at the 1/4 stage of the World Cup, France got back on the winning track. France will be hosting the Euros in 2 years. Due to this automatic qualification, France will not have real competitive games for the next two years. Match ups against the likes of Spain go a long way to keeping France's development on track.
Pogba growing into the role as the boss of the midfield...and team. The Juventus midfielder has already captained the French U20 side to the U20 World Cup victory a few years back. He also became an integral part of DD's set up at the World Cup - even chipping in a crucial goal against Nigeria in the knock out stage. He is putting his stamp on the midfield as the box-to-box midfielder Les Bleus have been seeking since Vieira retired. M'Vila was seen as that player, but his career has taken a side step. Although with M'Vila back from exile in the East it might be an interesting combination if he rediscovers his form.
Le Petit Velo - Valbuena - remains the metronome for Les Bleus. He is the creative fulcrum for France. It was his vision and play that was at the center of the goal from Remy. With Ribery's
Remy benefits from Valbuena's creativity
retirement from international football, the only truly creative player France have is Valbuena. Players of the likes of Cabella offer that creativity as well, but he is still a few games away from elevating his game to the international level. France's success over the next 2 years and how well they do at home in the Euros will hinge on how well Valbuena's creative play drives the midfield. Which calls into question why he was taken off the field in the 1/4 finals against Germany when France was chasing the game late on...
Sissoko playing out on the right. The Newcastle man is more of a traditional box-to-box or deep lying midfielder. However since he was put out on the the right by DD in World Cup qualifiers...away to Spain...he seems to have found a role with the national team. He is not a traditional right winger like a Menez or even a Remy, but his power and pace bring something the French national team have not had out on that side. He also seems more willing to stay out on the right allowing for Les Bleus to keep their shape. Since he is more of a deep lying player, he doesn't shy away from his responsibilities to back track defensively.
The Bad:
For once the left side looked a little dodgy. Griezmann had a rather pedestrian game on the left side. This was a bit disappointing after his good showing at the World Cup. Of course one cannot judge the player from 60 minutes. Long term I am not concerned about the left side with regards to Griezmann. But there will clearly be some growing pains for the French left side after the international retirement from Ribery. It is to be expected when you lose a world class player like Ribery.
I am a little concerned with the fact that some of DD's main cogs are not full time starters on their club sides - in particular Sakho and Varane. Neither has maintained regular starting roles for Liverpool and Real Madrid. Something to watch for in their club play. Reality is not sure what DD's other options at center backs since the likes of Mangala, Zouma and Yanga-Mbiwa are not regular starters for their clubs either. The one regular starter is Kos...and even his role looked a little tenuous with the start of Chambers recently for Arsenal! Something to watch for moving forward.
The Ugly:
Speaking of the left side - I think seeing Evra continue might get a tad ugly. Unlike the Gooner who is clearly "anti-Evra," I am not entirely negative on the Juventus left back. But I do
Has his time passed?
recognize that he is well past his prime. And that will not get any better in 2 years time. While the player doesn't seem to want to retire from international play, I question what DD gets from continuing to play him on French left. France have some options out on the left - Digne being first in line. There is also Kurzawa from AS Monaco as well as Mathieu from Barcelona who are options for that left side. I will be shocked if Evra is the starting left back in 2 years time for France...having said that, it might be time for Deschamps to start integrating a new starting left back now. Allow the new left back to integrate with the likes of Griezmann.
One cannot take too much from this game, granted the win was nice. Deschamps started out in a 4-2-3-1 but it was really more of a 4-3-2-1 with Sissoko on the right but more in line with Pogba and Matuidi, Valbuena given more free reign with Griezmann and Benzema as the high line striker. Similar to the World Cup, this is Deschamps' best formation - allowing him to put as many of his best midfielders on the pitch. It will be interesting to watch how this evolves especially when it comes to Cabaye and how he fits in the midfield. He has had a difficult time securing regular first team action with PSG (wonder if he wishes he was still at Newcastle...or maybe Arsenal) but he was a vital part of DD's set up in Brazil. Moving forward will he regain this role with France? Or become a super sub? Not necessarily a bad problem for DD to have - but probably not the role Cabaye desires.
France will not embark on a number of friendlies as they act as the 6th team in Group I - they will play a schedule as if they were in the qualification process but obviously the results will not count for either France or the team they play. I think this is one of the smarter ideas from UEFA - guarantees the host some games, and pits them against a qualification group guaranteeing they get matches against top nations such as Portugal.
What to watch moving forward:
Who asserts themselves as the left fullback for Les Bleus?
Is there a viable back up to Benzema up front?
Will Griezmann put his stamp on the left winger role?
How will DD manage his apparent log jam in the midfield, especially if someone of the likes of M'Vila regains his form?
Should make for an interesting 2 years of preparation for the Euros.
Allez les Bleus!
As it appeared earlier this week, it appears that DD will turn over more than 50% of his starting line up from the one that put up 5 1/2 goals against Switzerland (I give Benzema a 1/2 goal for the one he scored at the end of the game!).
Both full backs will be swapped out with Digne and Sagna getting the nods.
2 changes in the middle three from the ones that started against Switzerland - Pogba back in as a starter and World Cup debut for Schneiderlin.
Griezmann back up front...but not Sissoko on the right wing over Valbuena. Interesting.
Deschamps has always implied that what he likes about Sissoko is the ability of the Newcastle midfielder to play multiple roles - defensive midfielder, wide player and even as a #10 on the pitch. Something to watch, I still see Sissoko as more of a defensive player. Could DD be trying this out to counter some of Ecuador's outside speed? I would have thought that Remy might have been given the start on the right side.
Deschamps is clearly tackling this match as a fait accompli with regards to France's
First taste of the World Cup
qualification to the next round. Which I would agree with. For France to NOT qualify they would have to lose to Ecuador by more than 4 goals and for Switzerland to blitz Honduras. Could happen...very unlikely it will not happen. And it is not as if Deschamps' second options to roll out are chopped liver. It is smart to get some of his bench players some time at the World Cup. I would not have been surprised if he had opted to have Ruffier in net over Lloris. But I have a feeling he wants to ensure his #1 keeper gets time behind the defensive rotation, in case he has to have them in front of him later in the tournament.
If this is the line up that comes onto the pitch tomorrow, it is almost a hybrid 4-4-2 with Sissoko dropping back to form a four man midfield while Griezmann and Benzema act as the two high players. This could be to allow France to absorb pressure from Ecuador and look to hit on the counter. France is almost assured to not only go through but also in the first position in the group, so they can sit back and absorb the pressure. Ecuador is going to look to win this game. They are ahead of Switzerland right now, but they need a result against Les Bleus and hope that Switzerland doesn't. With this potential formation, it appears that DD will roll out a team that can defensively sound, manage the pace of the game and look for Benzema or Griezmann to exploit any counters the French can launch.
I expect Ecuador to start out aggressively, look to find an early goal against the French. If they can somehow spring an early surprise they might be then content to sit back themselves and look to counter through their pacey players. If Les Bleus can weather a potential offensive push early from Ecuador, both teams might sit back and play cautiously until the second half. Depending on what is happening in the other game the pace of the second half might take on a much different look. I also think that Deschamps will want his side to look for a result, keep their positive momentum going. But what he certainly wants to avoid is to create a situation where his defensive gets exposed - and where questions start to arise.
Look for Remy, Mavuba and Giroud to get some time in the second half. Depending on the situation I could see Pogba being taken off for Remy who would slot to the right and allow Sissoko to drop back to the middle three. Mavuba could replace Matuidi and Giroud in for Benzema.
I look for a very cautious first half, but a much more open second (much like many of the other games this week). France keep their momentum going but Ecuador gives them a run for the their money.
I was finally able to watch the lop sided victory for France against the Reggae Boys of Jamaica. It is not often you see a 8-0 score line in an international match. Even when the likes of France play minnows Luxembourg or Faroe Islands in Europe you tend to see much tighter score lines. I remember the reigning World Cup champion France barely beating in a European qualifier: 1-0. So such a score line is an anomaly, so what can we make of it?
The win. Easy to overlook the victory after such a ridiculous score line. But it cannot be under valued the fact Les Bleus head to Brazil on such a high note. All one has to do is think back 4 years when France headed to South Africa after losing to China. We all know what happened to France in that World Cup. By no means do I believe that playing well in the warm ups is a guarantee of success next week, but it certainly beats heading into the World Cup the way we did 4 years ago.
Speaking of no guarantees, the 8 goals scored by Les Bleus is good, but means nothing starting next Sunday. France ended their 3 game warm up tour with 13 goals for 1 against. Again beats the alternative of struggling to score and having to answer those questions in Brazil. The other positive is where the goals are coming from. Over the 3 games Giroud and Griezmann both have 3, Matuidi and Benzema with 2, and Cabaye, Pogba and Remy one a piece. That is a good distribution across your strikers, wingers and midfielders. It would have been nice if one of our fullbacks or center backs could have chipped in with one...okay now I am being greedy. But that should give all these players some confidence heading to Brazil.
Benzema on the left and the 4-3-3. Before we get too excited about the 2 goal and 2 assist night for the Real Madrid player, let us remember he was facing Jamaica not Germany. I do think that there is some merit to playing him out on the left. Granted when I watched the game on TV5, I found it surprising how much the commentators critiqued Benzema for not linking up with Giroud enough and at times "forcing" his way into the central striker role and forcing Giroud out wide. Really? First, Benzema and Giroud had some good interplay. Giroud's goal came from a caviar of a pass from Benzema. I also do not think Giroud is looking to play give and go or go at defenders with the ball at his feet, that is not his job. As I have stated before, his purpose and strength is to hold the line off the last defender's shoulder. Look for crosses and knock them down either to players filling the channels or putting them on goal. Look at the first goal by Cabaye...Giroud played that role perfectly. Knocking down a high ball into the box onto the on rushing Cabaye who was playing off Giroud pulling defenders to him.
With Benzema wide left, he is playing a similar role he did at Lyon when he had the Brazilian striker Fred up front acting in a similar role as Giroud. What I do like about Benzema on the left is that the top 3 of the 4-3-3 formation are really a triangle, with Giroud at the top of the formation. Think of a triangle with Giroud at the top and Benzema on the left and Valbuena on the right of that triangle. The formation can swing in either direction off of the anchor that is Giroud. At times the formation creates a 4-3-2-1, with Benzema and Valbuena playing deeper and having more freedom to run at defenses or at times it is a 4-3-1-2, with Benzema and Giroud playing the striker pairing high with Valbuena able to run in the space behind the two strikers (this is where it probably appears Benzema is "forcing his way" back to the center of the park). Something that has haunted France in the past when they ran a 4-2-3-1 with Benzema as the lone striker is that his tendencies to drop deep, placing him in the clogged up space occupied by the 3 offensive midfielders. In the formation seen against Jamaica, there is space that both Benzema and Valbuena can drop into. The key is a striker like Giroud that stays on the last defender opening up this space, the central defenders have to stay deep to watch Giroud. Karim on the left has some potential. Very interested to see if that is what DD roles out next Sunday.
Quietly, Sissoko has had himself some very solid games. I don't think he will be a starter, barring injury, but he clearly can offer something if he has to play or come in for any of the midfielders. This goes back to the qualifying campaign - look at what he did in the game away to Spain. He will play a key role for Les Bleus off the bench.
Speaking of growing in confidence - just like Sissoko quietly showing well, so has Griezmann. Scoring three goals over the 3 matches played. A small detail, but if you haven't seen it, look at the 8th goal and second goal of the game for Griezmann. It was something you see on the training ground - the aforementioned Sissoko made a good run to the end line, hit a low cross to the front post where the Real Sociedad winger tried and succeed with a very cheeky back heel. Something you only try when you are in form...or have a 7 goal lead...but nonetheless a sign of a confident player.
The Bad:
I realize I just wrote many words praising the formation and the inclusion of Benzema on the left. The bad is on defense on the left side of the formation. One aspect of Benzema's game is that he is a striker. What I mean by that is he runs in one direction, towards the opponents goal. That is fine. That is his job. But when you have two strikers on the pitch, play a 4-3-3, you expose yourself on whatever side your second striker is playing. With a Griezmann or Ribery on the left, they know they need to track back and stop the opposing fullback from making offensive runs. Benzema doesn't do that. The right back that is covering Karim has potentially more space to attack. During the game it was apparent that Matuidi was sliding over to that side to make up for the gap of defensive assistance. Normally this would not be a huge concern. However compound this with Debuchy being more offensive minded from this right fullback role and you might have some defensive liabilities that DD has to cover for with his 3 holding midfielders. Of course if they are being pulled to opposite wings...that is going to stretch them thin and potentially open up the middle. Something to watch for as the tournament starts and whether or not DD opts for a more defensive fullback in Sagna on the right side.
The Ugly:
Where or where is the right side? Maybe it is just my eye sight, and I do realize that the first goal was from the right side. But I am still concerned about how left heavy Les Bleus are, even without Ribery! At times Valbuena popped up on the left...with Benzema and Evra pushing up. Benzema seems comfortable on the left or shifting to the middle while Valbuena, who is suppose to be the right winger, is at his best when he is allowed to roam. The problem with that is he seems to roam a lot to the center and the left! Meaning...once again the right flank starts looking very naked. Even with an offensive fullback like Debuchy making runs down that right side, it is still something that is getting a little ugly. This will become an issue if Les Bleus have any hopes of going deeper into the tournament.
Overall hard to not be happy with not only this result but all three from the pre-World Cup friendlies. But none of this counts come the start of the World Cup. France will face a stern test next Sunday against a team that held England to a goalless draw in their last match. France will not have the freedom they had today, I realize that is obvious. The question is can the 4-3-3 with Benzema on the left succeed against a team like Honduras that will most likely park the bus in front of goal? I think Giroud will be the key to unlocking that. But that is for another post as we get closer the start of the World Cup for France.
Let's also hope France have not wasted all their goals in the past three games!
I will say that the Gooner called PSG, MCFC south, but I prefer calling PSG - Manchester City on the Seine! Why this new name? With the cash infusion from new Middle Eastern backers, PSG has started to spend like the Citizens did when they also received a cash infusion from wealthy middle eastern backers. Yet, I would say the parallels stop there. Why?
Let us look at the recent purchases by PSG.
Gameiro - leading scorer in Ligue 1 for the past few seasons. He was playing for small side Lorient but always one of Ligue 1's most sought after transfers. In the past, players such as Gameiro would either go to Lyon or head to another league. PSG finally did what a club of their stature should do - secure the best players from within your league. Gameiro will add another element to the PSG side, with Hourau struggling to regain his consistent scoring touch and recent misses at the striker level - Erding and Kezman. I would not be surprised if Gameiro became PSG's #1 striker from day 1. Solid signing.
Menez and Matuidi - I lump these two players together because they signed close to one another but they also slot in nicely to fill in for Giuly and Makelele. Menez will slot in on the right channel while Matuidi will become the anchor at the holding midfield role. Matuidi is like Gameiro - one of Ligue 1's best players being acquired by one of France's largest clubs. Menez was a minor coup, getting a player in his prime to leave one of the bigger leagues and clubs: AS Roma to come back to Ligue 1.
Sissoko and Sirigu - As two players from Serie A I will also lump them together. I am luke warm on both signing, warmer on Sirigu, always need quality keepers and last season proved that you will most likely need to use both of your keepers. The Sissoko signing I understand for depth, but not sure I would have gone over this Sissoko, I would have preferred the one from TFC. Regardless I think he will be in the defensive midfield rotation with Bodmer and Chantome, so in the end it could prove a good move for depth.
Douchez - This was a free as the former Rennes keeper was at the end of a contract. The fringe national team keeper was an easy choice for PSG as Coupet was retiring and let's face it, Edel was not going to be the answer long term. Coupled this move with the recent signing of Italian #3 keeper Sirigu and you have the makings of a good tandem of keepers for PSG. The question becomes does the #2 keeper become disgruntled, but if so, you can always sell him and make back some of your money.
Bisevac - The Serbian international was brought in to add depth and talent at central defense, and some insurance as the rumors of Sakho being lured to a larger European club will not go away. Again, another player from within Ligue 1, who was reasonably priced and a know entity.
All these signings are what PSG should have been doing for the past few seasons. As one of France's largest and richest clubs (even before the new investments) they should have always been more aggressive with the talent within Ligue 1. What makes them creep into Manchester City territory is the bid for Pastore. The Argentine is also a target of Chelsea. The latest is that he has signed of PSG for a whopping 38m pounds. This is the one signing that I feel is a "Manchester City" type signing. Get a new cash infusion and spend it like a Russian Oligarch. But unlike some of these other spenders, this move makes sense for PSG. They need a playmaking midfielder, I realize the have also purchased Menez but he is creates from the right flank. Ever since PSG sold Sessegnon to Sunderland they have not had a true attacking midfielder, now they do.
All in all very good signings for PSG. Unlike Chelsea or Manchester City, they have not gone out and signed players just for their names and then wondered where they fit in the system. PSG have acquired pieces that were desperately needed to either replace players leaving or bolster areas that needed addressing.
Call them what you want, I, for one look forward to seeing them on the pitch with all these new assets!
As the French national team approaches their matches against Romania and Luxembourg they get hit with the injury bug again - Diaby still recovering from a tough tackle this weekend during the Arsenal v Chelsea match and ADiarra had to leave practice after picking up a knock to the leg. So who does Blanc call upon as cover for two of his defensive/holding midfielders? Toulalan? No instead his Lyon teammate Gonalons and Toulouse midfielder Sissoko. The latter is not a surprise he has been part of the set up in the past, but the former is a bit of a surprise not because he is not talented. I have always been a fan of the Lyon midfielder, but it is a surprise that he gets a call up over his club mate who has much more experience at this level.
Well what we all have accepted is now official - Les Bleus have qualified for the second place play off for the World Cup, with a rather easy 5-0 victory over the 185th ranked team according to FIFA. Sigh. What could have, should have, might have been...so let us look at the last match from Les Bleus:
The Good:
The win - ok the result should never have been in question, but the fact that Les Bleus have not been shining during these qualifiers - only getting a simple 1-0 win away to the Faroe's - and the fact the Faroe Islands just secured their first win of the campaign over Lithuania 2-1. There was a undertone of nervousness heading into the game, even some of the French players were questioning if they could some how find a victory having to play on the smaller pitch at Guingamp. So France secured the essential, getting the 3 points, scoring goals, and assuring themselves that the game against Austria is a friendly...albeit an important one with the 2nd place playoffs looming.
Titi Henry once again demonstrated that he will lead this side. His work rate in the second half was outstanding, he was basically playing the role of the #10 for Les Bleus. He was not afraid to use his pace to take on defenders but was also clearly seeking his teammates out with a number of clinical passes. His free kick at the end of the first half should have resulted in a goal from Gallas, who tried to make his attempt too perfect only to see his header skim off the cross bar. He did find Gallas again later for the third goal. In the second half, the Barcelona man was at the center of most of the offensive action. While he still attacked mostly from his preferred left side, he drifted to the middle truly looking like a #10.
Scoring a brace means that you did something well...Gignac clearly likes playing this nation, since he opened his account with Les Bleus when France first met the Faroe Islands in August. The first goal today was a true predator's goal, getting a nice square pass from Anelka, he pivoted and fired a shot that caught the Mikkelsen wrong footed. The second goal was a pure individual effort, after a long distribution from Mandanda, Gignac took on, what appeared to be, the entire defensive back line, raced to the 18 yard box and hit an unstoppable right footed shot that nestled right inside the far post. He had a few opportunities to get his hat trick only to have the Faroe keeper make some solid saves. Has the Toulouse man solidified his place in the hierarchy? I think that to Domenech he has...meaning Benzema is condemned to being a super sub. Does he deserve this? To me Gignac is a solid stiker but I am not sure he has the ability of a Benzema. Gignac has a deadly right foot...but not sure he trusts his left foot or has enough of an aerial game. I read a statistic that all but one of his league leading goals he scored last season for Toulouse was with his right foot! I do like him playing for Les Bleus, but I have to see him doing this against more formidable opposition. But for this match...very good.
Speaking of Gignac and Benzema, the young Real Madrid striker responded well to the clouds that were gathering in the press between himself and Domenech. Once again coming in late in the match, to replace the above mentioned Gignac, Benzema played with pace and power that we have come to expect from him when he plays for club. In the last quarter hour he played he had an assist and a goal. However more than these statistics, Benzema was very active on the offensive end, clearly wanting to show his desire and ability. Maybe wanting to give Domenech something to think about!
One Faroe player to point out was Mikkelsen, the keeper. Yes he gave up 5 goals, but made a number of outstanding saves to keep the score line where it was. He made emergency saves on Gignac on a first half break away, against Anelka one on one in the second half, on a point blank effort from Henry in the second half, just to name a few. Without his heroics the game might have ended 7-0 or worse.
It was good to see Malouda and Sissoko getting time on the pitch. The former used to play for En Avant Guingamp, so being able to play for Les Bleus on his old pitch was a well deserved honor. The latter made his first appearance for the A side. A much deserved honor. He did not have much to do, so was not able to show of his skill set, but I hope this match is the first of many for him under the Blue kit.
The Bad:
From France's point of view nothing bad...other than this offensive punch should have been seen earlier in the World Cup qualifiers!
The Ugly:
Even when Les Bleus win by 5 goals...I must point out Domenech's lack of managerial ability. What do I mean by this? I realize without a true #10 (no Gourcuff, no Nasri, no Ribery) that the team went back to a 4-4-2 formation...but why have TWO holding midfielders in that formation? I realize that Toulalan played a solid game, but neither he nor Lass were really needed to "stem the tide" of Faroe attacks! What was telling was watching Gallas dribble at the Faroe defense, in their own 1/3 of the field on more than one occasion...if one of you center backs is pretending to be Messi, then do you need 2 holding midfielders??? France were basically playing a 4-3-3 at the end of the match, with Henry-Benzema-Anelka up front, being supported by Gouvou-Diarra-Sissoko, clearly the Faroe Islands had no answers to that formation. One might argue that it was the 70 minutes of defending they were forced to do that allowed this formation to have success, to which I would say...BS....if France had employed this formation it might have been 5-0 at half time...there is no way this team could have defended against those three French strikers up front. However, once again Domenech demonstrates a complete lack of vision. I am sure some might say - they did win 5-0 so he was doing something right. But to me this is a reflection of what is wrong with the French manager, and inflexibility and unwillingness to change his style even though the players at his disposal may warrant such a change.
Anyways, Les Bleus head to the playoffs, and based on what could happen, it would appear they will face Bosnia, Ukraine, Slovenia, or Ireland (as of right now and having not looked at the latest FIFA rankings) Of which either Ireland or Ukraine would be the most difficult, heading to play in those nations would not be a cup of tea. An expected win by Les Bleus, now need to get ready for the play offs.
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).
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.
