Gallas: We should have played faster

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

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

Posted from  France

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.

Posted from  Japan

i’d take 7-0 against the dutch

Posted from  United Kingdom

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.

Posted from  United States

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

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.

Posted from  Canada

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.

Posted from  Netherlands

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