Gallas: We should have played faster

June 10th, 2008 | by: jeff |

Following France’s 0-0 draw against Romania to start Euro 2008, our man at Reuters, Patrick Vignal, brings us some quotes from France defender William Gallas, including the nearly contradictory claims that he thinks France “played with the handbrake on” and that “it’s impossible to understand” why the French fans would jeer the team after the game.

If his post-game comments were mixed, Gallas’s performance on the pitch was tidy. With Gallas and Thuram in central defense, Sagnol and Abidal as defensive-minded full backs, and defensive midfielders Makalele and Toulalan, Romania never looked like scoring.

As usual, Patrick Vignal provides a real nugget in his article:

“Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, who both missed the Romania game, may be fit by Friday after playing in a training match against a local regional side yesterday. Henry scored one goal and set up another two in a 7-0 victory.”

That’s what I’m talkin’ about. 7-0. France and Arsenal legends Henry and Vieira fit again. And Henry with the Midas touch. Hey, “regional side,” or not, you can only beat the team in front of you.

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Yaz

It was a -18/-16 years old selection of Neuchâtel and Fribourg (45 mn). Just kids, nothing else.
set

According to some French websites, Henry looked good and very motivated, while Vieira seemed unfit.
Pride of Lyon

Lol, if Vieira seemed unfit in front of -16 / -18 kids, I’d rather see Toulalan play against Holland.
Also against Holland we will have the opposite problem that we had against Romania, we will need to contain their attacks, and for that I think toulalan would be better than Vieira. We may not need the midfields to go up too much in this game, as the Dutch won’t be playing 11 behind the ball. So I’m all for a Tuolalan Makelele affair here.
http://lesbleusfrancefoot.wordpress.com/ jean pierre

i’d take 7-0 against the dutch
Jean-Michel

The commentators of the Dutch/Italy game said that the Dutch do not know how to play defense. However, they maintained a clean sheet all while taking chances on the attack side. Nothing seemed to be going Italy’s way. There maybe a counterattack opportunity for us somewhere in there. At any rate I’ll be glad to see some bleu goals for a change.
Foreverzidane

I’m with Gallas on this one 100%!
Fast short passes through the middle of the pitch with
the great Frank Ribery.
Jason

Seriously, when are the top five football nations going to stop underestimating the dutch. If they win, they say they win on the day, if they lose they say were garbage, they say the eredivise is a beer league made up of football has-beens. France better bring their “A” game if they want to make it through.

Was it really a “shock” that Holland beat Italy??? Not really. No more a “shock” than when France beats Italy in the last match of the group.
maarten

I totally agree wit you Jason,

Although the Dutch track record of the past 6 years isn’t that good,(missed korea, made it to the 2nd round in Germany) there has been a lot of progression. Be aware the Dutch have totally been transformed into a younger team. (no longer Jaap Stam, Frank and Ronald De Boer, Bergkamp, Kluivert, Davids etc.) Instead, a new generation is on the pitch. Where in the world cup the team was still young and unexperienced, the same players have really improved. Only 1 or 2 players play in the ‘bear competition’. If look at the squad that was on the pitch against Italy, a lot of them had successfull years in top competition. Vd sar (man united) V Nistelrooy, Sneijder (Real), Kuyt (liverpool). france needs to be warned, The Dutch are probably starting without Robben and van Persie. Instead of relaxed, i’d be warned.

And for me, as a Dutchie (in case you didn’t notice yet)
It’s great to see a Dutch team again that plays in the national style: attractive, with joy and risks. It may seem naive for countries that have defending in their genes, but we only appreciate a win if it comes with attracive attacking football as well. Of course by playing this ‘naieve’ you run the risk of being ‘outbored’ by teams like Germany, France of Italy. But once every 20 years (’88, ‘74) the Dutch succeed in makeing a performance that is to be remembered longer, and appreciated more.
dirk

I totally agree with maarten.. attractive football will be remembered 4-ever!