A beautiful loss is still a loss.

————–lloris—————-
bocaly–squillaci–mexes–mathieu
menez–toulalan–cabaye–ribery
————-gourcuff———–
————benzema————

interesting lineup, especially in the defense. Keep in mind that Gourcuff is banned still for the next two matches because of his red card. Who would you use as a replacement? Nasri?

——————–Lloris—————–
Reveilliere—Squillaci—Mexes—Cissokho
——————Toulalan——————
——-Diaby—————-Malouda——-
——————-Nasri——————–
————Hourau—-Benzema———-

i think the 'diamond' 4-4-2 is a good formation, and there are different variations (4-1-2-1-2 or 4-1-3-2, etc). So much depends on the situation with Ribery and Benzema, but i think the depth chart should be like this:

————Benzema————-Gameiro/Remy–
———————Gourcuff——————-
—Ribery—————————–Menez/Nasri—-
——————-Toulalan——————-
–Clichy——Mexes—-Squillaci—-Sagna—–
——————–Lloris———————-

Ideally, I would like to see Nasri & Gourcuff both starting if Nasri is willing to play RM… otherwise I think Menez would do well there. Note that Nasri has adapted to playing on the flanks at Arsenal since Cesc Fabregas is the obvious choice at CM. It is quite possible to see Nasri on the wings for France as well. There is little competition at RM (Valbuena? Ben Arfa?), on the left side there is Ribery, Malouda and N'Zogbia among others.
I still see Toulalan as the top holder, even though M'Vila, Flamini and Lass Diarra are all solid (don't forget Sissoko as well). Lloris is clearly the number one in goal, no other players are even close, and I think Clichy is the obvious no.1 at left-back (Cissokho, Mathieu and Tremoulinas are decent reserves). At RB, I think the competition is between Sagna and Fanni, with players like Debuchy, Corchia and Reveillere as possible substitutes.

The real question is at Centre-back: Mexes is inconsistent, and Squillaci is the only other veteran. There are some good young players like Rami, Ciani, Sakho and Koscielny, but probably none are ready to start just yet. Players like Escude and Givet provide depth but not much more. Another question is at forward – who will be Benzema's partner? I am not sure if Hoarau is the answer, and Briand is better on the wings. Among the world cup players, Gignac is overrated and Cisse is past his prime. I think it is either Remy or Gameiro who will start, and Gomis would be a reserve option.

in case that blanc switches back to a 4-2-3-1…

———————–Benzema———————-
-Ribery/Malouda——Gourcuff———–Nasri/Menez–
—————-Toulalan—–Diarra——————-
–Clichy——–Mexes——-Squillaci——-Sagna—-
———————–Lloris————————-

That is a very, very good lineup in my opinion. I would probably replace Ribery with Malouda.

Center-back is the true problem – Mexes is not only inconsistent, he is very physical. I almost feel like he would play better as a holding midfielder. I just don't feel safe with him being in the box all the time.

About Strikers- My vote for Benzema's partner would be Gameiro. Although a friend and I recently had a conversation about Gomis. He isn't fast or flashy, but his positioning is PERFECT. He is always in the right place at the right time.

Also, keep in mind that Gourcuff is still banned for 2 more matches.

I love your inclusion of Malouda. Although I disagree with your inclusion of Reveilliere. He is old now and does not have much experience with the NT. I do love his name though.

Having Diaby right behind Nasri like you do is very similar to what Wegner plays at Arsenal. They play brilliantly together.

Lloris
Sagna-MEXES-squillaci-Cisokko

Toulalan-Diaby
Menez-Nasri-Ribery
Benzema

Frey
Sagna-Mexes-A.Diarra-Cissokko

L.Diarra-Toulalan
Nasri
Menez-Benzema-Ben Afra

gameiro/ben arfa

ben arfa
and the name is m-olivier not marc

Interesting, a 4-2-3-1. I wonder how Mexes and Squillaci work together. I would have to agree with Toulalan & Diaby being the “2″ if we use a 4-2-3-1. M'vila could be the sub.

I don't know what i think of Lass right now, that pass that led to a goal seemed like he wasn't even paying attention to the game. He still is an amazing player though.

Lloris
Debuchy-Mexes-Koscielny-Clichy
M'Vila
Ben Arfa-Nasri-Menez
Benzema-Gameiro

hi
that is very very good lineup in my openion

This is definitely the line-up I would go for. For when Gourcuff is banned push Nasri into the centre and have Menez playing on the right.

When Gourcuff and all other suspended players return, the formation should be 4-1-2-3 (which becomes 4-1-4-1 when France is not in possession):

Lloris

Sagna–Mexes–Rami–Clichy

Toulalan

Nasri–Gourcuff

Ribery–Benzema–Malouda

For the next game, formation should be 4-1-3-2:

Lloris

Sagna–Mexes–Rami–Clichy

Toulalan/M'Villa (if Toulalan is suspended)

Ben Arfa–Nasri–Malouda

Benzema–Trezeguet

Which Diarra? LDiarra didn't look so good last week, and ADiarra lacks offensive skills. If 4-2-3-1, why not drop Gourcuff into a deep-lying playmaker position (a la Pirlo)? That would give a lot more punch to this line-up (which would place Toulalan a bit deeper than Gourcuff so that you have an unbalanced formation):

Benzema
Malouda–Nasri–Ribery/Menez/Ben Arfa
Toulalan–Gourcuff
Clichy–Mexes–Rami–Sagna
Lloris

the right back position is a bit tricky. the reason i picked Rev is because for me the fullbacks in this type of formation really need to be able to put in a cross. Sagna just doesnt cut it for me, and I dont like the other options too much either.

this is too domenech-like for my taste

Really? are you really gonna play Gourcuff as deep-lying playmaker? I dont know if this will work..
But how about playing Debuchy or Jeremy Clement if we are to play with a deep-lying playmaker? (IMHO)

Great team, although I think I would still rather have Sagna or Fanni over Debuchy. Also I would try to fit Malouda in the midfield.

Very interesting, I like the pairing of Nasri/Gourcuff in the “2″ slot. Also I really wish the next game's formation was almost exactly like yours is. My favorite players are Nasri and Malouda. I have always insisted on having Trezeguet back on the team. However I highly doubt it will happen.

yeah but IMHO Sagna is good, but obviously not a world class full-back. Do you follow Arsenal's games over the years? Sagna's crossings are known as a “no man's land” crosses, means his crossings are never delivering enough. Thus he doesnt make the cut for me.
Fanni? He's good (even better than Sagna in my opinion) but never really that good at international matches. So, why not try Debuchy? Plus, he's younger than both of Sagna and Fanni.

How come no one has suggested Ngog as a striker?

Yes, I like Gourcuff as a deep-lying playmaker. Even his father says that's his best position. It worked for Pirlo. Why not give it a try?

Honestly, I'm not sure. He is the captain of the U21's. That goal he just scored for liverpool was pretty snazzy too. Maybe he could pair up with Benzema. I'm not sure.

Finally, someone mentions N'gog! He gets dismissed by Pool fans all the time yet nearly every time I see him play, he comes thru for them.

GK : Lloris (Sub : Mandanda; Carasso)
RB : Sagna (Reveillère)
CB : Squillaci (Koscielny)
CB : Mexès (Sakho)
LB : Evra (Trémoulinas)
MD : Toulalan
RW : Ribéry
CM : Nasri
LW : Malouda
FW : Gignac
FW : Benzema

The 'second' midfield and attack would play slightly differently :
RM : Menez
CM : L. Diarra
CM : Diaby
LM : Rémy
AM : Saha
FW : Gameiro

That's what I'd do, not that it's very important.

And alongside Debuchy, I also suggest Christophe Jallet. IMHO, he's a lot better at crossings and offensive instinct than Sagna.

I strongly dislike Liverpool, so maybe that's why I actually want to see him play for Les Bleus.

now that nasri is injured, for the nex game i would play:

Benzema–Remy
Malouda–Menez–Valbuena
ADiarra
Clichy–Rami–Mexes–Sagna

How about this?

Lloris
Jallet-Mexes-Koscielny-Clichy
M'Vila
Ben Arfa-Pedretti-Menez
Benzema-Remy

4-4-2 without a “#10″

Lloris
Sagna – Rami – Mexès – Clichy (or Trémoulinas)
Alou Diarra – Diaby
Ménez (or Rémy) Malouda
Benzema Hoarau

Other guys in the 22 : Mandanda, Debuchy, Squilacci, Sakho, Trémoulinas, Mvila, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, NZogbia (Valbuena), Rémy, Gameiro (Gignac)
PS : I hope Rémy will be able to play.

Finding a formation without a #10 is very difficult. France have depended on one for as long as I can remember. I think that your formation may work. In my newest post I suggest a 4-3-3, something similar to what Chelsea play. Because Chelsea do not really have much of a #10 to depend on. Clichy Diaby and Malouda have been doing pretty well so far this season. I think we should play Sakho as much as possible to form into the player he can become.

Interesting team, I'm guessing it's a 4-1-3-2? or is it a 4-4-2 with a Diamond midfield? I guess they're pretty much the same. Although I do not think Reveilliere or Saha will have a future with France.