France on the wrong side of a 4-1 result

ha
the last two days people were saying france are going to pound the dutch with goals. Ribery is the new zidane, gomis is better than trezeguet and cisse.
what a slap to the face, 4-1 to the dutch.
so i say fuck domenech, fuck astrology, and fuck the french national team(except for titi Henry)

muuhhhhaaaaahhaaaaa
sorry, this isn’t fair, we were lucky tonight, but how great was that !!
france play nearly well, but our team-guy kuyt made the match different too soon for u.
henry and malouda could have score two or three times coz we were weak behind.
actually i’m so glad we beat france, cause i’m still beliving holland must had win in 98 and 2000, we played so much better, but france was prized to play defense.
this is not finish for france, u could still qualify, and i must admit a vision of a semi-final france-netherlands again give me few fears.
we play awsome offensive football, but affraid we’r still not mature enough to win the tournament.

I would be absolutely over the moon if France had scored 4 goals like that. I’m pretty psyched about the one they did score.

What’s the story with being a French Netherlands fan? Not that I’m judging, as an American France fan.

To all Italian and French fans, you won’t need to worry about the Dutch team throwing the last match or not playing to win.

When we win, we always want to do it in style and be on the offensive. Van Basten and his team wouldn’t want any ‘dark spots’ on a possible trophy and an intentionally thrown game would definitely be a dark spot.

For that matter, you can also expect the Dutch to be willing to take risks with putting additional attackers on the field later in the game against Romania if we’re not already winning.

Ah hell, MvB even puts attackers on the field for defending midfielders when we’re ahead 1-0 and under heavy pressure. Tell me one country/team/coach that has the balls to do that?

All teams that have won the WC’s and EC’s lately have been playing it safe and unwilling to take risks (often winning by little margin with a penalty or a free kick, or a draw followed by penalties). France/Italy/Greece, they’ve all been playing defense/counter, even at 0-0.

By scoring early goals we forced them out of their shells and put them into the position we are usually in, having to attack and risk counters. I’m quite happy to see us beating them at their own game now. But if we meet France or Italy again it’s all going to depend on who scores the first goal again.

I really hope Holland don’t dial it in against Romania, it’d be a shame for both France and Italy to miss the quarters. Romania do not deserve to advance. Besides, if Holland “let” Romania win then karma might see to it they meet again in the semi-finals, and lose for real then.

Now the night of the Romania match, you may fell a slight sting, that’s pride fuckin’ wit ya. Fuck pride! Pride only hurts, it never helps. Fight through that shit. ‘Cause a couple weeks from now, when you’re kickin’ it in the final you’re gonna say, “Marsellus Wallace was right.”

Man, I admit I would love to see Italy find their accuracy the way the Dutch did this tourney.

This is such a tame thread compared to the Italian one LOL.

In my opinion, Frey should be France’s goalie. That guy steals games like a hockey goalie. Sorry, Coupet doesn’t cut it for me. PLUS, it’s retarded to have kept Trezeguet off the team. The guy was ON with Juve.

Bah. While I have utmost respect for French soccer, I feel nothing for the classless Domenech. Nothing.

It’s still sinking in what an epic beating that was.

If Holland “let” Romania win, and lost to them later, that would be beyond tragic from the Dutch point of view, I would think.

Still, it’s borderline inconceivable to think that France could still be in this tournament after those opening games.

france will beat italy, because this italy is weak with totti, nesta, and canna.

Domenech is an idot, I have no clue why Veira did not play, and I am made that Bemenza did not play either. Taking off Govou for Anekla was stupid too. I don’t even get a chance to watch football that much here in America, but it is sad that a head coach would rid of the best players. Trezeguet has done a lot of scoring for France, and Domenech has never wanted to play him. I hate Domenech and that muther F$## f#$#$ the French again. I would love to see him resign at the end of the tournement. What a disappoint, how do you miss manage your teams chemistry.

Henry Ben.ma

Wiltord Ribery Nasir Govou

Viera Maka.

Evra Gallas Thuram Sagnol

NOT COUPE”!!!!!

i mean without totti, nesta, and canna. my mistake.

Interesting suggestion to bring in Wiltord. That’s one that’s not on a lot of people’s radar.

is anyone else completely dissatisfied with Gomis? I know the guy is new to the scene but he hasnt made one impactful play in either of the two games her featured in. I was really impressed with Govou and Henry working together with Ribery and Malouda today. The 4-1 scoreline doesnt really reflect the game, we deserved to lose because we couldnt finish, but I have hope that as long as Domenech keeps those 4 up front and tosses in an attack minded Vieira instead of Toulalan, we should be allright.

Heres hoping the Dutch do us a favour against Romania first though…

@ Chad Buie
Trezeguet can’t play in Domenech system. Domenech system doesn’t need a target man(aka fox in the box).

If I was Marco van Basten, I would change my winning team to give them rest in the game against Romania. Why would this be tragic? Italy and French didnt take make their points. Playing very bad. And Romania did very well as an underdogg against you French and Italy!
It would be smart of Mr. van Basten! And he should be smart, cuz sweden is waiting in the Quarter Finale’s!!
The French played badd.. you misjudged the young players of the Netherlands!
But you all knew they were playing @ the best clubs in Europe.
I think its over for the French and Italy!

Brandon – I agree about Gomis. He’s making no impact, so far.

Hahaha MW, hilarious Marsellus DOES look like a b*tch, though

If Romania will beat Netherlands, all French and Italians will blame Dutch. However, all people forgot that in qualifications Romania won a game against Netherlands and got a draw in the other game with their best players, So who will be the favourite on TuesdaY?

i said the coach was an a$$ even before the euros, he gambled on gomis and it backfired, why gamble if you have a world class striker (oh i forgot he doesnt fit in the coaches system)well this is what his system got us, bravo dome-a$$.

Michel-Olivier. Forget Totti. He never was a factor. Losing Cannavaro was A HUGE LOSS. Have you ever seen an Italian defense stretch like this? Chiellini and Panucci are admirable but they are not solid enough.

To be honest with you, this tournament, France and Italy are twins.

Same goal diff, same beating to Holland, similar general deficiencies and above all two coaches who may not be competent enough.

Well, if Ooijer would be red bookedand a penalty was called (that would be possible) , i think things would had been a little bit different. but anyway i was fed up along time ago with Domenech and with the team spirit, with the way to consider when you draw you took two points to your adversary, rubbish theory of coward. Coupet was a gagman, a good goal keeper would have probably stop the four goals he took tonight. The pair Thuram/Gallas showed what we all had feared, against speed they were very very old. Sagnol gave a good assist but was out of fit. Makélélé was innaturally agessive. Malouda and Govou are the kind of guys who could play all a season, even more, without scoring a goal, at international level it’s just laughable. Evra hadn’t a good match, poor defensively, may be no one tell him that he had to help the two old men who always seem to be in holydays(especially Gallas). May be someone should explain to Henry that a REAL foward don’t miss a 1 to 1, with an hasardous volée lob, when he’s alone in front of the GK. Domenech should stop try predict, but just see, the fit of the players for example. The question is with all the players France produce couldn’t we have a better team ?

I’m just devastated. Maybe I’m stupid but I’m not angry at Domenech at all. We did have opportunities, many actually, but they were unable to make any interesting shot. I still can’t believe Henry’s lob..
But at the same time I was sad, I was smiling seeing the Dutch players. I loved the way they played and the two last goals seemed unreal. A really beautiful game that must bring true happiness to Dutch fans.

Off with Domenech’s head! With a side so loaded with talents, he couldn’t harvest them right to produce results. The French offense is traditionally dangerous for attacking and they are supposed to always keep the pressure up, even when the ball falls on the Netherlands, but during the first half, they waited for a chance to counter attack first. Many people say that France loses because their defense is old and slow compared to the youth and zest the Netherlands have. Maybe. But Domenech had his chance to fix the match by great substitutes in Nasri and Benzema, but he didn’t do that.

Frickin Thuram. Where is Mexes when we need him? Agreed Gomis is too green, we needed Trezeguet. Also Flamini wtf?

Interestingly, the goals we missed are the kind of goals Trezeguet would score.

Domenech is “traditional” while van Basten is “modern”. There is a need to bring the midfield to life if Les Bleus even dreams about passing the ball to the strikers–and the central forwards need to up their teamwork to cross the ball and ram it in properly. France has great attackers in Henry (an aging Henry who is wayyy past his prime, but he still scored), Govou, Ribery… and their defensive line usually is offensive, such as Makelele and Evra. But in Domenech’s “defense-first” strategy (which didn’t even work out–the four goals speak for themselves), they don’t have a lot of chances to contribute much to the offense. I mean, I agree that “Center-back don’t play as strikers, and strikers don’t play as center-back”–in Domenech’s words–but defenders can certainly play their part in an offensive football.

But as a consolation, that was some beautiful football played last night. (: (Although the result was far from beautiful…)

I’m not sure what most of you were watching, but I put the entire blame on COUPET! 1-The first goal was not Malouda’s lack of defensive coverage but it was COUPET who didn’t come off his line. 2-The second goal by Vanpersie could’ve been saved as COUPET casually watched it hit his finger tips and roll in. 3- The third goal was just an impossible angle for any striker in which a goalie of EURO claiber should be saving.
4-France was starting to dictate the play in the start of the second half,
a crucial error by Thiery to lob the ball over Vandersaar rather than his usual impeccable placement along the ground. That would’ve been a huge turning point. The DUTCH ARE NOT ALL THAT ON DEFENSE!!!!!!!!
LES BLEUS had them by the tail and just couldn’t finish their plays by a goal. 5- A very bad substitution by bringing Gomis, instaed of a Nasri or Benzema or Falmini. The teams of the past were impenetratable at the halfline.
6-This team don’t have the speed they used to.
Seven players over the age of 30 what do you expect?
7-This team doesn’t have the same fluency in passing as before.
8-Domenech should be grilled over the fitness issues.
9-This 4-2-3-1 formation actually was working well, but still I reiterate that TOULALAN is taking up a valuable position.
10-Frey will be playing on Tuesday which might be too late!
No matter what A L L E Z L E S B L E U S !!!!!!! Toujour, Toujour!

@ Daniel:

“But you all knew they were playing @ the best clubs in Europe.”

I know smoking weed is legal in your country which is great, but to say that the whole team plays for the top teams in Europe should be corrected as I don’t count Hamburg, Ajax, Blackburn, and
Feynoord as top club teams in the world? who’s world Wayne’s world?
Secondly France played with what they had and players like Govou, Ribery,
and Henry gave it their best, what more could we French fans ask for?
Atleast in this game they went down fighting!

I dont think so many people have to take the blame for this fall as much as domenech, that fool fielded an old defense, and he still used his empty stubborn head to leave sagnol on pitch even when it appeared clear, the punk wasnt delivering, surely france can do better than that, willy sagnol was a disappointment, yes he set up that goal, but sincerely, any right back could do that given such a chance, I was screaming for his substitution right from first half,&I thought that dumb ass (the coach) could see it, but NO,he still left him on pitch,and sincerely all the goals that we conceded in the second half were coming through that wing, I mean, the Van par sie goal, did u see how vannestroy put rounded him up,and he couldnt even given chase?? and then the rueben goal, u can judge for your self which wing that was, I mean, I watched it clearly, the pass to reuben was sent past that fool sagnol and instead of running after the ball, he just relaxed and by the time we knew it, we were 2goals down again, I just want domenech to resign, he has been such a disapointment, and I want to believe that if it wasnt for Zidane, we couldnt even have reached that worldcup finals with that fool as coach

i dunno what game people were watching, but toulalan was the best player for france. Going above beyond his job. I rather anyone be replaced for Viera,but him. Lol gomis and anelka before benzema and nasri.

Foreverzidane i agree with you, but the dutch people have got one advantage: the play as a team! and the french are all individuals. get my drift;)

These days, matches at this level are for a great deal decided by who gets in the first goal… Both against Italy and France, the Dutch leaned (or were pressed) back after the first goal, which created space behind their opponent’s defence. This opened the way for successful fast (counter)attacks. I have no doubt it would have gone the exact opposite way if France or Italy would have scored the first one. Anyway, I’m happy we, the Dutch, can now get rid of two very strong teams, of which one otherwise would have definitely come back with a vengeance…

Romania beated Holland once in qualification round why can’t they do it agian. One of the Bee Gees’ song I think French players should start singing is “I started a Joke”. They looked like clowns in the field.

Van Basten problably wouldn’t put up a completely different team against Romania. The team play is very good now. It’s a good chance to improve it even further by letting them get more playing time. Maybe with a slightly adjustment to the team.

I really hope France can get through. They were strong, but they just didn’t finish their attack.

Toulalan is no Viera and the proof is there for everyone to see by the results. Specially the useless long balls that he sends in with absolutely no clue of his teammates.
World caliber goalies such as Buffon would never be caught holding the
line when the opposition is taking a corner.
The future is bright for Les Bleus and we will finally see Nasri, Ben Afra,
and others shine for 2010.
Yes “ej” your point is well taken and true, the Dutch are a cohesive unit.

I’m pretty convinced Van Basten won’t throw the Romania game. We’d run the risk of losing momentum. Some players even need the game to get more rhythm (I know it sounds funny) but Robben and Van Persie could really do with a match more.

I also expect Engelaar to request to be played.

Sar might take a break, like Gio, but Boulah hasn’t played lot so he’d want to go. I still think that with a lineup like this:

Stekelenburg

Boulah Bouma Mathijsen De Cler

De Zeeuw Engelaar

Robben Afellay Van Persie

Huntelaar

we will punish Romania.

Van Basten will want to 1) stop rumors of Holland throwing the game and 2) keep the pressure on the players.

One off-day could ruin Oranje’s momentum.

France should take care of Italy. I think for the tournament, it would be great if France progresses, but only if we get to see Nasri, Benzema and Viera!!

I second your opinions Jan well said..

Domenech has once again failed to create a chemistry within the team that will cost us a spot in the quarter finals. We need FFF to fire Domenech and bring in Didier Deschamps. Thuram, Makelele and Henry should make way for Nasri, Benzema and Mexes. It hurts to see the French geat beat by that margin. Am I the only one who thinks Domenech should not have sacrificed in form Cisse and Trezeguet? Gigi Buffon has stated himself that Sebastien Frey is one of the top three keepers in the world, what does Domenech see in Coupet that I dont? He is short, slow from the line and uneasy in set pieces. Sebastien Frey would have saved les bleus in WC2006. Why does he insist on starting Abidal in front of Evra? I don’t know what stars he is consulting but he has failed the team and FFF should have fired him after WC2006. Every les bleus fan will see these changes once Didier Deschamps takes over. The last game will be 2-1 to the Italiens courtesy of a Luca Toni brace and then you will see what I mean about Gigo Coupet. Alaise

To be fair, France was playing with 10 men after Gomis got in.

It was fitting that the African team of Europe was humiliated by Orange waves. call me partial, but Italia played on an aqual par with Dutch and if not for that joke of a Rudd goal( yess even Kuyt admits that itwas a offside), and if not for Van Der saar´s brilliance to prevent the score from being 2-2, the story might have been different..Not giving excuses, dutch played magnificently and all the things went their way, but their 2nd and 3rd goals were counter attacks, nothing specially created moves..Also, the referee and UEFA it seems is hell bent on sending Italia home early, even yesterday, the clown of a Norweigen referee denied a perfectly valid Luca Toni goal which was perfectly onside, then the referee gives a non existant penalty to Romania…the referee books De Rossi for a great and a legal tackle when Italia were poring forward at the death..well….the least we can expect from the dutch is to get a result against romania and we will kick out the Africans from Europe , we only need a bit of luck and the intervention of Footballing Gods who have been angry on us till now

no playing nasri and benzema is just plain stupid by domenech..benzema’s pace would have given them problems..anelka and gomis were just helpless out there

@set: you have a great heart, respect! Les bleus were great, put our back against the wall for quite some time. There was just a bit je ne sais quoi in orange: call in hunger and determination.
For the rest: forget the ‘what ifs’, that is the most boring question you can ask in any soccer analysis…

I agree with you mate, what ifs are question of failures, that’s why we have coaches/managers to get the job done with the best there is. We should just learn to accept losing when it comes our way. There was world cup and then Africa nation’s cup….I still remember reading articles that we critical of some African teams who played better than euro super powers in quote”". When teams play and lose it’s not cause their best players didn’t feature or blah blah!!!!!!!!! it’s simple, it’s cos opposition was better off. France,Italy or my beloved England aren’t a bad side.they just had a bad day. ” Eat this!”

HOPEFULLY, Things will change when either of these two nations scramble through to the next stage.However as a fair minded Englishman, may the best team win.

Hey Eddie, I don’t think you understand the purpose of this forum and as an Englishman I’m sure you’ve had your share of bad performances way more than the French. Your team has not been having “BAD DAYS” but “BAD BLOODY YEARS” of Losses after losses, and bowing out of tournaments humilated. O.k. so eat this!
By the way, are you even sure they’ll qualify for 2010?

I do not understand why racist comments from the likes of ignorant bigots like Franco Rossi stay on this board.

I will be watching the game today… hopefully my manager will not come and watch the game with me since he’s all the way for italy and i’m all the way for France on this match, so… İ hope the French will win and my manager will not fire me lol
Allons-y les Bleus!!!!!
and if the French win those orange bastards better be fair and not lose to the romanians on purpose…

@sandrahn

there are some fascist italian guys here. To bad that they imprint a bad impression to all italians (which are not at all racist, most of them).
You French guys are Africans, we Romanians are Gypsies…
There is somewhere a divine justice, and let’s hope that the Superior Nanion goes home after the group finale. Be it ousted by French team or by Romanian team. That way we will be spared of these shamefull posts for the rest of the competition

Guys, as much as I have enjoyed the France of the past play, especially the Zidane years (1996-2006) and the Platini years in the 80s, this French team is a bit of a farce.
Against a superior team with so much firepower and so much technical skill as the Dutch possess now, the French were slow, over-complicated and found it difficult to move the ball around.
After Zidane retired, France got knocked down a notch. In the meantime, the calibre of the competition has gone up a notch. This French side couldn’t score in their listless draw against Romania, got thrashed by the Dutch, and lost in a not very stylish match against an Italian side that is not genuinely strong. Other than Greece, France was the worst-performing team in the round robin and they deserve to go home.
I don’t want to play coach…but, leaving Trezeguet out while playing Bafe-what’s his name? Gomis (totally inexperienced)…what were they thinking? Henry is past his prime, Thuram should be retiring soon. Again, these guys are not clearly up to the challenge. Soccer’s immensely competitive these days. The two bright lights on the French squad are Ribery and Karim Benzema…give them some more time and then a better team can be built around them.