Flamini Recalled for France, Just in Case

Will he or won’t he play?

That’s what Raymond Domenech and everyone else is wondering about the injured Patrick Vieira. Vieira will definitely miss Monday’s match against Romania, and Raymond and the gang will make a decision as to whether to drop him from the squad on Sunday, the final day for roster changes.

And what’s the injury, anyway? Last week we were reading about his cuisse gauche. Now Reuters is saying it’s his left ankle? But AFP is still saying thigh. I would think that when somebody’s legs are as long as Vieira’s, it would be kind of hard to mistake one for the other, but what do I know?

Today Raymond recalled Mathieu Flamini into the fold, just in case. He’s not officially on the roster. Yet. But if there wasn’t significant doubt about Vieira, they wouldn’t have taken it this far.

From the AFP article, linked above.

“I sense that Vieira is determined to be fit, when he could have given up instead. But he really wants to do everything possible to prepare himself for the tournament,” said Domenech.

However, Domenech admitted that were France to be without one of their icons then things could become difficult especially as they are in the ‘Group of Death’ with Romania, Italy and Holland. “Yes, when Pat is at his best he is irreplaceable… If we are pushing the deadline to the limit is is because of that. I know all about his ability to motivate himself and inspire the others.”

Domenech said that there had been some debate over who would replace Vieira. “There was a discussion over whether Mathieu (Flamini) or Alou (Diarra) should be recalled. However, I would say Flamini has more variety to his game, than the other midfielders who could have been called up.”

It could be worse, though. Italy just lost Cannavaro.