Which line up for France v Sweden for DD?

Les Bleus will face off against Sweden tomorrow in their final international match of the year. After a tepid showing against Albania, much will be expected from this match. Do France need to come out and give us a scintillating 3-0 win? No. It would be nice...but not to be expected. Les Bleus need to come out and show more than they  did against Albania. Last time the French faced the Swedes they left with a 2-0 defeat in the last group game of the Euros in Ukraine/Poland. Deschamps also faces a number of players that have dropped out due to injury - Yanga-Mbiwa and Schneiderlin most notable. So what could the French formation look like tomorrow?

First I think that DD will go back to his 4-3-3. I also expect some new faces on the field.

We already know that in goal we will have Mandanda in place of Lloris, a nice reward for the OM keeper to get a start on his home pitch.

On defense, I would like to see Kurzawa on the left start for Les Bleus. In his 20 minutes on the field against Albania he showed some pace and offensive ability otherwise not there with the other options. He made one turn that looked more like a strikers' move then a left back. Of course it might be Mangala as the center back pairing.  It would be surprising to see Zouma as a starter, unless Managala's calf is not 100%.

Sophomoric behavior!

interesting to see the Monaco left back getting a start against the nation he acted in such a sophomoric manner against with the U20s. I expect to see Jallet back on the right, Varane in the middle and

The middle 3 will look familiar - Cabaye, Pogba and Sissoko as the middle three. Cabaye will have the role of sitting deeper of the three while I expect Pogba and Sissoko to "split" the field between the right and the left.

For the top three offensive players - I would like to see Griezmann on the left and Valbuena on the right. Look for Gignac to get a start in the middle as the lone striker - another opportunity to have a OM player on his home field. DD could also insert Payet on the right in place of Valbuena for the same reason. And see if Payet can offer a real solution out on the right side.

It would be good to see both Guilavogui and Zouma get some time in the match during the second half. See how the Wolfsburg midfielder can integrate with the likes of Cabaye/Pogba/Sissoko as well as if the Chelsea central defender can provide cover or partner with Varane.

I will be interesting to see what DD is thinking with his line up and formation.

Allez les Bleus!

France v Albania...Les Bleus lucky to escape with a draw.

Thankfully that game did not count towards France's qualification efforts...what a bland bland bland effort from Les Bleus. Albania, gasp, were the better team on the night. From the start it was apparent that the team Deschamps rolled out onto the pitch was only there physically and certainly not mentally. Anyways...the game was a friendly...end of the season...at least they didn't lose.

The Good:

• Lloris was world class. He was not at fault on the Albanian goal, a impeccably placed header after France failed to clear the corner kick. Otherwise the Tottenham keeper played a solid game, making some very good saves. One on a long range shot that came down the right flank. The save looked decent in real time, when you saw the replay one realizes what a difficult save it turned out to be as the ball was dancing all over the place and Lloris showed great skill in

  

  Big save that kept it a one goal deficit

  parrying the shot. He made another huge save on a defensive breakdown where he had to parry a bullet of a shot that was heading for the upper corner. The Spurs' keeper was also in command of his area. In a bland showing he was the one bright spot...and without him it could easily have been 3 or 2 goals to the Eastern Europeans. 
• The insertion of Griezmann changed the game. Coming on late in the game, the Atletico Madrid winger quickly placed his stamp on the game. Bringing pace and some offensive punch that was otherwise absent from the French attack. His goal was a perfect two man game on the wing. He and the French right back, Jallet, played a give and go game that sprung Griezmann into the Albanian penalty area where he clinically finish. 
• The Albanians. For a team I thought would pack it in, they took the game to the French. for some stretches they were outclassing the hosts. Ever dangerous on set pieces and smart with their counter attacking. Their fullbacks were dangerous down the flanks and their center backs a constant threat in the air on set pieces. The midfield did a good job collapsing to thwart any French offensive forays. They are a sneaky side that could find a way to the Euros, don't forget they already took 3 points off of the Portuguese.

The Bad:

• The French 4-4-2...was abysmal.  I had written about this earlier but I was not convinced that the 2 striker formation would work. And I feel as if it didn't. The high line was clogged up by both Benzema and Lacazette operating in the same space. The midfield had no width. And the fullbacks were able to push up but  their offensive forays were too often "one and done" runs, which then left a lot of room behind them for Albania counters. Cabaye seemed to be asked to scramble to much to fill in the spaces left by the fullbacks. Les Bleus used to be able to run out  strikers, when those strikers were named Henry and Trezeguet...and they had a certain Zidane in the midfield. Henry was really more of a roaming striker, while Trez was a true #9. France do not have those players. I hope that DD rolled out this formation based on necessity. I certainly do not expect to see it again in the near future. 
• Finishing...stop me if you have heard this before....Les Bleus just lack any clinical finishing, other than the Griezmann goal. Benzema had the 2-1 ball on his foot but inexplicably ballooned it from 10 yard out. Otherwise there just was not finishing threat. Concerning. 

The Ugly:

• Lack of rhythm...Les Bleus looked like they were sleep walking, had zero consistency with they play. They never really controlled the match. Even when they were mounting some sustained threats to the Albanian goal, it did not feel like the French had their finger on the pulse of the game. They still looked like they were chasing the Albanians. Yes Les Bleus were missing the likes of Matuidi, but the apparent lack of consistency and ability to dictate the game was a bit disconcerting. If they play like this against Zlatan and his merry band from Sweden, it might get ugly.

Okay so France move on with a "point" from this game. Thankfully it does not mean anything, but there were more areas of concern than of good. Let us hope that their next match, against a much larger fish, is better than what we saw in Rennes.

DD back to the 4-4-2...out of necessity or a real option moving forward?

Reports coming out of Clairefontaine would have us believe that Les Bleus will come out tomorrow back in a traditional 4-4-2. Hmmm. Not sure what to make of that. Readers of this blog will know that I think France plays better when they play a 4-3-3, taking advantage of their depth and quality in the midfield trident and allowing their wide players to carry the attack - leaning on a lone striker to roam around the penalty box. Starting with 2 high strikers might create a lot of congestion in the attacking 1/3. The potential line up -

Lloris - Jallet, Varane, Yanga Mbiwa, Digne - Sissoko, Cabaye, Valbuena, Pogba - Lacazette, Benzema

Some items to watch:

• Deschamps is putting the former and current Lyon strikers together. How will Benzema function with someone playing off his shoulder. Karim seems to function better as the lone striker, even at Real Madrid when he is partnering with the likes of Ronaldo, the Portuguese is more of a winger. Lacazette has been lined up as a striker for Lyon, even though he is believed to have a future on the wing. Will the two strikers compliment one another...or get in each

  

  The OL connection - will it succeed?

  others' way?
• Is that really a 4 man midfield? Or more of a 3 deep lying midfield with a false #9 in Valbuena? The formation reads 4-4-2, but I can see Valbuena being asked to push higher on the pitch, sitting in the space right behind the two strikers, with the trio of Sissoko, Cabaye and Pogba as the defensive/linking midfield. I could even see Cabaye being the deeper lying player, right in front of the defensive back 4, Sissoko being given responsibility for the right and Pogba the left side of the formation. It will be interesting to see how this midfield evolves. But I certainly doubt it will be a flat 4.
• Where will the wide play come from? With out the usual wingers or formation rolled out, where will the offense come from the wings? Expect Digne and Jallet to be instructed to push high and wide on the pitch. They will be asked to provide the bulk of the crosses and wide runs, overlapping the midfielders to offer wide options for Valbuena.

I am not sure how much we will be able to deduce from this first game, they are not playing the metal of world football. It should be a good test as I expect Albania to pack it in and look to strike on the counter. That will shine the light on how well the fullbacks are able to bring some dangerous crosses, how does Benzema and Lacazette attack the Albania goal as a tandem and can Valbuena break down the defense as the #10?

Prediction - France 2: Albania 0 goals from Cabaye and Benzema.

Allez Les Bleus!!

Deschamps has to back track with his views on the U20s

Well well well...a few injuries and suddenly Deschamps has to backtrack on his stance with regards to including any of the French U20s. The latest is Kurt Zouma from Chelsea who has been brought into the senior squad. This after Kurzawa was brought in to replace the injured Tremoulinas. That might have been the more awkward call up for DD, as it was the Monaco left back that was the leader of the sophomoric behavior of the French U20 team against Sweden...how juicy that France will be playing Sweden during this international break.

Overall I think this is actually a good thing for Deschamps. He needs to start looking at some of the young talent he has at the U20 level. Players like Zouma and especially Kurzawa have legitimate ambitions to being part of the squad that plays on home soil the 2016 Euros. Kurzawa in particular as the French left back role, I believe, is a position ripe for new blood.

Another name that has pulled out is Matuidi, Gonalons was called up in reinforcement. This will open the door for Schneiderlin to assume greater time on the pitch. Could this be to the detriment of Cabaye, who is not getting much time at PSG?

With so many names missing, will Deschamps use these two games for some experimental

More celebrations to come in blue?

sides? I hope so. Players like Lacazette, Guilavogui, Scheiderlin, Yanga-Mbiwa and Kurzawa should get substantial time over the two games. Rotate some of the midfielders along side Pogba to see how they function with the emerging main stay of the French midfield. In the back it would be good to find out what Kurzawa can do on the left as well as Yanga-Mbiwa in the center paired with the likes of Varane. Up front it would be good to see if Lacazette is an option, either as a striker or out on the wing.

 I do not believe that many of the starting roles are in question if Deschamps has his full roster. The places I see some question marks - left back, right wing and possibly left wing (but that is Griezmanns for now). The real questions are the second level players. Who are the ones that provide the depth needed? That would be across the field, but really at the striker role and creative midfielder. It will be interesting to see what DD does with these two games.

Allez les Bleus!

Les Bleus - roster for last internationals - the U20 get shut out.

Deschamps announced his list of players for the last round of international friendlies for their matches on the 14th against Albania and 4 days later against Sweden. Not to many surprised on the list...other than the exclusion of any U20 players. No doubt because of their catastrophic showing against Sweden in the qualifiers.

The list:

Gardiens de but : Lloris (Tottenham), Mandanda (Marseille), Costil (Rennes)

Défenseurs : Digne (PSG), Jallet (Lyon), Mangala (Manchester City), Sagna (City), Varane (Real Madrid), Yanga-Mbiwa (Roma), Trémoulinas (Séville), Perrin (Saint-Etienne)

Milieux de terrain : Cabaye (PSG), Matuidi (PSG), Pogba (Juventus), Schneiderlin (Southampton), Sissoko (Newcastle), Guilavogui (Wolfsburg)

Attaquants : Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Marseille), Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Payet (Marseille), Valbuena (Dynamo Moscou), Lacazette (Lyon)

 

Not many surprises, but DD had to deal with a decimated defensive core with Kos, Sakho, Mathieu and Evra all being sidelined with injuries. We get to see most of the reservists from the World Cup - Tremoulinas and Perrin on defense. Interesting to see Guilavogui back in the picture. It will be interesting to see if the midfielder gets any time over the two games. One area that DD has a wealth of options is in the holding midfielder role. Up front I am a little surprised to see Payet again, as I have stated in the past, I just don't see it with the former Nantes player.  He really isn't a ride sided player and not sure he fits in the middle of park...actually I am not sure he is a full international at all. It will good to see Lacazette on the roster, see if he can give DD a legit option up front behind Benzema.

 

It will be also interesting to see how DD leans on lining them up against Albania. Also, when will DD start calling up some of the U20. He specifically stated that he did not want to reward any of the U20 players after their poor showing. But the likes of Kurzawa were specifically singled out after his sophomoric behavior away to Sweden last month. However at some point some of these players will have to start integrating into the senior squad.

The next week will tell us a lot about what DD is thinking in terms of his line up.

Allez les Bleus.

Expect to see many new faces for Les Bleus walk out on the pitch in Armenia

No one will be surprised to see a completely new starting line up roll out later today when France face off against Armenia. We already know of the injuries to Benzema and Mangala, so already two spots for new faces. And we expect to see DD run through his other players on the roster and see what he has. So from the press here is the line up we might expect to see:

Mandanda - Jallet, Varane, Mathieu, Digne - Matuidi, Schneiderlin - Sissoko, Payet, Rémy - Gignac

This line up shifts France back to a 4-2-3-1, not a formation I really want to see Les Bleus in, and

Dynamic duo for Les Bleus?

really it could be a 4-3-3 with Sissoko dropping deeper on the pitch and allowing Payet and Remy to play the wide winger roles. The things to watch other than the obvious - see how the new faces play - is to see the role Payet takes on. A player that normally is a winger has been slotted more to the center for his club this year and has shown some success. He will also be sitting behind his OM teammate - Gignac. Does this familiarity on the offensive end bring something to the table for Les Bleus? Does Payet give DD a real option as a center of the park playmaker? Or is he more suited to the wing? It will be also be interesting to watch the right side of the formation. With both Remy and Sissoko who can play that channel, and both are more apt to stay in a wide position.

Let's face it, France is not playing a giant of football. The Armenian coach has also said he thinks this game is "sh**" so I don't expect a lot of creativity from the team from the Caucasus. So I expect France to be attacking and carrying the play for the bulk of the game. It will be interesting to see if with Gignac, a more traditional #9 and his playmaker from OM, if Les Bleus can break down the Armenians.

Prediction - France 2: Armenia 0 goals from Gignac and Schneiderlin.

Allez Les Bleus.

Good win for Les Bleus, but concerns remain

Deschamps and Les Bleus continue their "friendly" qualifications, defeating Portugal 2-1 in Paris. Portugal was coming in off a defeat against Albania in Euro qualifiers and wasn't approaching this as just another friendly, especially considering this was also the first game in charge for new manager - Fernando Santos. But like most friendly internationals, this match had the usual characteristics - some spurts of high intensity and many lulls in between. So what to make of this game?

The Good:

• You can never sneeze at getting a result against another international size - especially one of Portugal's reputation.  France follow up their victory a month ago against Euro defending champion Spain with another victory over their Iberian peninsula neighbor.  France, since that miracle of a game against Ukraine in Paris, have been building back their mojo. While I am not ready to say they have arrived, they are clearly progressing in the right direction.
• Benzema finding the back of the net. Remember when Karim had gone what felt like a life time since he scored for Les Bleus? Since the end of qualifiers and through the World Cup it feels as if the Real Madrid striker has regained his form. His goal was not one the most technically beautiful goals, but it was a true strikers goal. After a great rush from Griezmann, who cut the ball back through the penalty box onto the on rushing Sagna, who hit a heavy shot. The former Arsenal man was unfortunate to not have opened his account with France, the shot asked for an outstanding save from Patricio. Unfortunately the keeper was only able to deflect the shot onto the the foot of Benzema. Who, for once, had camped out on the 5 yard box and was in the perfect position to clean up the garbage and put the ball in the back of the net. A true center forward's goal. With players such as Griezmann and Valbuena bombing down the flanks, it is important for Benzema to get into those positions to take advantage of the crosses and pace from his wingers. 
• Speaking of Real Madrid, Varane is quickly becoming a center piece for the defensive back 4 as well as France.  The youngster shows positional awareness beyond his youth but also the physical assets to make up for mistakes and take on players 1 on 1. Just look at how he was able to shoulder off Ronaldo in the second half on a delicate 50/50 ball in the French penalty box. The future is bright for Varane. Amazing that Real Madrid is so stacked that he is not a regular starter.
• Another youngster - Pogba - is quickly becoming an anchor for Les Bleus. The Juventus man

  

  Midfield control tower for Les Bleus

  is the boss for the French midfield. The likes of Cabaye and Matuidi do yeoman's work, but it is the France #19 that is the metronome for Les Bleus. As was stated during the game, he can also play any style of play that may arise - fast paced, he can distribute and add to the attack, defensive, he can easily lie deeper on the field. He also contributed with a smart goal from a nice lay off from Benzema. As the saying goes, the spin of the team is where the strength needs to be - with the likes of Varane at center back and Pogba at central midfield, you have the foundation of a world class spine. 

The Bad:

• Speaking of Pogba...he is a player with tremendous talent as well as confidence. And why not. He is not even 22 yet and he already has captained the U20 French side to an U20 World Cup, where he also won player of the tournament award. He has played in a World Cup and been to a 1/4 final, scoring along the way. Pogba has already played for 2 of the world's biggest clubs - Manchester United and Juventus where he is currently. The one negative about confidence is it sometimes makes you think you are invincible. At times Pogba does things that on the pitch that are the result of youthful exuberance. For example - in the second half, after nursing the lead he plays a ball in his half, doing a few nifty step overs and pirouettes he has the chance to make an easy pass out to his right or even back to his center backs. Instead he tries one more step over, loses the ball and allows a Portuguese break. He needs to be better aware of the situation. Something that will, hopefully, come with maturity as he grows in the game.
• Did France have anyone on the right side? Okay I realize this is a regular criticism in my post France posts. I could probably just copy and paste from the dozens of other posts about this. But seriously...at times I wondered if France forgot they were allowed to attack down the right. Surprisingly the first goal came from Sagna coming down the right flank. Otherwise the right flank was almost entirely ignored. Much of this is, once again, because the right winger, Valbuena, cannot resist drifting back to the middle of the park and even out to the left. I realize that the plan is for Valbuena and Griezmann are suppose to swap wings during the game, but that only works if the other winger goes to the opposite wing! Too often Valbuena and Griezmann found themselves on the same side of the pitch - the left side - and at times almost on top of one another. While the right side was lonely. France must find a way to better balance their attack. For once I cannot critique Sagna since he did all once could hope for as he pushed up when appropriate - he also had the defensive responsibility to keep Ronaldo in check. But without a right wing...that stays the majority of the time on the right, it is a lot to ask of your right back. What is even more frustrating is that playing against the likes of Ronaldo, who will not track back, the right winger could hope for space to open up. Alas the French attack leans so far left we never found out.

The Ugly:

• The Officiating...left much to be desired. The penalty for Portugal? Really? Not sure how that was even given. One could argue that the officials missed the off sides on Evra on France's

  

  Enjoy your minute of action...

  second goal (granted on replay it showed that the play did come off a Portuguese defender  so no offsides, but impossible to see that in real time). Not that the game was out of hand, but the officials didn't really seem to make calls consistently.
• Deschamps substitution patterns. Yes I am being knit-picky but why bring Gignac on in the 90th minute? What does that gain you? You need to at least let him get 10 - 15 minutes of time on the field. Even the commentators said as much. Not sure about the introduction of Payet, at least what were his instructions? He came in and right away camped out on the left...why not tell him to stick on the right wing, as he has done in the past, and see if you can finally balance your attack? 

Overall a good match for Les Bleus. Of course there remains many questions for Les Bleus as they build towards 2016.  I have a feeling we will see a lot of changes next week when they travel to Armenia.

Allez les Bleus!

DD calls up his list for next round of friendlies - are we really prepping for the Euros in 2 years?

Deschamps announced his list of players that will face Portugal (October 11th) and Armenia (October 14th). The list looks very similar to ones we have seen from DD. Actually almost resembles one from 2 years ago...

Keepers: Lloris, Mandanda, Ruffier
Defense: Evra, Sagna, Digne, Varane, Mangala, Mathieu, Koscielny, Jallet
Midfield: Matuidi, Schneiderlin, Cabaye, Pogba, Sissoko, Valbuena
Forwards: Payet, Benzema, Griezmann, Rémy, Gignac, Cabella 

The returns of Gignac and Payet are a return to the past for DD. Not a huge surprise to see the OM #9 since he has been on a tear with his club team this season - 8 goals in Ligue 1. Payet has always been somewhat of an enigma. Loads of talent, a player who rose through the youth ranks at Nantes' top class development program, yet a player who has failed to really shine at the top levels. It almost feels like a safe pick for DD. But not a player I see as a full blown international. It also feels that

Back in blue

these selections were made by default with the likes of Giroud out until 2015. France remains thin at striker, so Gignac could actually have a legitimate chance of making the Euro squad. Payet, I think the jury remains out and might be more of an indication that DD still wants to find the right player on the right flank (do I sound like a broken record??).

My concern is the continuous inclusion of Evra in the side. The Juventus left back looked a shell of his former dominate self during the World Cup. Not surprising considering the miles that are in his legs. Unlike the other international coaches, DD does not have to worry about winning these games. France is automatically qualified for the Euros as the host. So Deschamps is in the unique position to truly test some players that will be key to the France side in 2 years. He doesn't have to lean on veterans that might not be around for the Euros but that he needs now to win games. Yet he insists on calling up Evra when he as viable options such as Digne from PSG (who is in the side) and Kurzawa from AS Monaco (who should be in the side). The next two years should really be about figuring who between these two left backs and even Tremoulinas is going to become the anchor at left back for Les Bleus. Continuing to give time, in training and during the games, for a player like Evra, feels like a wasted opportunity.

The remainder of the squad is straight forward. I would look for DD to rotate through these players during the two games. It will be interesting to see how he manages the formation for - Cabaye, Sissoko, Matuidi and Pogba - as his middle 3 if he continues to go with the 4-3-3. On the wings it appears that Valbuena on the right and Griezmann on the left will be the first choice, but where do Remy, Cabella and Payet fit in this? As for the middle of the top 3, look for Benzema and Gignac to split the games in that role. Kos and Varane appear to be the #1 central defensive pairing. The wide defenders will be interesting with the injury to Debuchy, who will emerge as the right back (and apparent #2 behind the Arsenal man) and on the left...well does Evra get a start???

I would also expect to see the keepers rotate. I would not be averse to even seeing Lloris sit both games and give Mandanda and Ruffier each a game.

It is positive that there isn't too much turn over on the squad and that most of the roles are fairly well defined. But there remain some questions about who some of the support players DD will groom to become important assets in 2 years. Granted, DD also made it known that he was giving priority to the Espoir team as they look to qualify for the Euros. A reason why the likes of Zouma, Thauvin and even the aforementioned Kurzawa were not included on the senior list. However at some point I would like to see some of the youth players get integrated into the senior squad.

Should be an interesting 2 years...might be a slow boil.

Allez les Bleus.