France on the wrong side of a 4-1 result

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

Posted from  France

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…)

Posted from  Singapore

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.

Posted from  Canada

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;)

Posted from  Netherlands

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.

Posted from  Australia

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.

Posted from  Netherlands

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!!

Posted from  Australia

I second your opinions Jan well said..

Posted from  Netherlands

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

Posted from  United States

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

Posted from  Netherlands

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

Posted from  Spain

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

Posted from  United States

@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!”

Posted from  France

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.

Posted from  France

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.

Posted from  United States

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…

Posted from  United States

@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.

Posted from  Canada