Gignac Fit for Lithuania Part 2

March 30th, 2009 | by: jeff |

23-year-old Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac is Ligue 1’s top scorer this season with 18 goals, and he’s fit (right thigh) to play for France against Lithuania on Wednesday.

I, for one, would like to see him come on around the hour mark, with France already up 3-0, and score a late double to seal a 5-0 win.

The question is: Who should he come on for?

Will Doms play the same first 11?

That would mean another start for Luyindula (29).

Here’s what I wrote after the the first Lithuaniua match on Saturday, “Luyindula is definitely a decent player, but he didn’t make a big contribution. He was through on goal at one point, but had a bad touch, and the chance was gone.”

I later read, from the link that Aditya gave us, that Henry said, “We have to talk about Peguy Luyindula. It’s not easy to come back into the squad after so many years out. It’s been a while. He’s also come in for a lot of criticism throughout his career. He played really well and could have scored a hat-trick.”

I don’t think we’re too far apart. We’re both saying that he’s a good player, but he missed a chance (or 3). I said that he didn’t make a big contribution. If he had finished one of his chances, he would have made a big impact. 1-0 is a tight scoreline. We might not always be able to keep a clean sheet. We need goals to collect the three points.

My other point is that I think Nasri is a good footballer. He’s been consistently good for Arsenal. I think he’s a great player, and I’d love to see him playing for France. I think Nasri, perhaps more that Luyindula, can add to the build-up play.

So I like Luyindula, but I like Nasri even more, in his current form for Arsenal.

That said, if Luyindula gets another chance, I expect he’ll do well.

What do you reckon? Will Doms switch it up, and who’ll get the call.

As always, I’ll state my case for the starting outfield:

Benzema
Henry Gourcuff Ribery
Toulalan L.Diarra
Evra Gallas Squillaci Sagna

I love that attacking 3 of Henry, Gourcuff, and Ribery. When those 3 are in the side, and Toulalan, I’m a happy France supporter. These four are all having a good run of form for France.

I really hope Domenech won’t screw up this decent little run.

Here are the four World-Cup-Qualifier results so far:

Austria 3, France 1 (Mexes horror show)
France 2, Serbia 1
Romania 2, France 2 (Abidal and Boumsong in central defense – perhaps a new low from Doms)
Lithuania 0, France 1

Dom’s brought in Gourcuff for the first time against Serbia. Gourcuff was an instant success – a revelation. Against Romania, France came back from 2 down, and again Gourcuff was fantastic, and scored a screamer. And then on Saturday, he had the assist. Hopefully no one would try to deny that Gourcuff has been fantastic in the qualifiers that he’s played in.

France controlled the match against Lithuania so well, I would be surprised if they don’t win on Wednesday. I wish I trusted Domenech not to do something stupid. That sounds terribly harsh, but it’s a sincere concern.

But, assuming he goes with my lineup, I expect France will win 5-0. Supposing Gignac gets his late double, where do the other 3 goals come from?

A Benzema hat trick? That would be sweet.

Tags: Euro 2008

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Comments

By laurie | March 30th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

I wish they could figure out why Benzema has been so worthless for France and fix it. Then I’d be completely comfortable with your lineup.

Posted from United States

By Guy | March 30th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

I think that Benzema has had to deal with a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders. Every player goes through some lows, Les Bleus just need to be patient with him. I hope that Domenech takes some chances in this match, while I will take another 1-0 win, it should not be so painful. I think that a Henry – Benzema tandem might be a good option. Henry can slide back on the left play deeper and move up to shoulder benzema when necessary. Gourcuff in the “hole” with Ribery owning the right. I also think Domenech should consider the Diaby – Diarra tandem. Too bad Dom has no creativity…

By Jeremie | March 31st, 2009 at 12:35 am

Anyone aware of the fact that Toulalan is out on suspension for this game?
Does that mean we could MAYBE see Flamini play? Im praying that Diarra (the tall one) wont play.

Even better we could have only 1 dm and more attacking players. Wait, i just remember Domenech is still the coach…i just lost my erection

By Aditya | March 31st, 2009 at 3:11 am

No Toulalan! Another test for Domenech. Will he go with 1 DM or 2? Lithuania didn’t really bother attacking on their home turf. He is sure to go with 2 DM’s and the French crowd will boo again which will make everyone from Evra to Nasri comment on French supporters! Btw, is there a special “Boo” for Domenech??

By Michel-Olivier | March 31st, 2009 at 6:08 am

tomorrow’s lineup
———–sun———–
saturn–ceres–vesta–chiron
——-juno—–earth——
—pluto—virgo–moon——
———–gemini———

Posted from United States

By jeff | March 31st, 2009 at 7:07 am

Jeremie – I didn’t realize that. Now I’m nervous.

By metamoralia | March 31st, 2009 at 7:38 am

Jeff, I’ve always enjoyed your analysis of both France and Arsenal and have learned much in reading it …

… but why would you play two DMs at home against the 52nd ranked team in the world when France sorely needs a shot of confidence, if only to help win back an indifferent if not hostile fan base?

I’m not sure about Benzema, either … the word is he’s lacking confidence.

Oh yeah, to clear up a mystery: while TV5 in the U.S. carries France games … TV5 in Canada does not–and hasn’t since the last Euro2008 qualifier, which for all I know may be someone’s idea of a protest at the retention of you-know-who.

Posted from Canada

By Jeff | March 31st, 2009 at 10:19 am

I guess that I wouldn’t necessarily classify Toulalan and Diarra as holding midfielders. Diarra, maybe. But Toulalan is much more than a defensive midfielder, I think. The guys got skills.

But, other than that, I would strongly encourage against trying anything other than what has worked, and that means Gourcuff in the hole in a 4-2-3-1. I fear that any slight alteration to what is working might cause an implosion.

And then, on top of that, I’m not totally against two holding midfielders. A 2-0 victory is fine for me. Keeping a clean sheet is key – get caught out on one counter-attack, and the game can be lost 1-0.

But the key is that the holding midfielders have to be able to play a little football, and I think Toulalan and Diarra can. I’ve always really liked L. Diarra, and I think he could be a top player for France.

Benzema is in a poor state, certainly compared to where he was when he broke into the France team. I just can’t believe that a player as good as he was such a short time ago can not be good again. My gut tells me he would do well if he got a game right now, and that he could contribute holding up the ball, even if he doesn’t score. I wonder how he’s doing in training. I’d be fine seeing Gignac from the start if he’s ready. He might be, for all I know.

Nico’s in the squad, right? He’d be fine. I think Benzema has more potential than Nico, Nico’s starting to get on, and if Big Benz can get a goal, he could spring into life and be back where he was, or if Domenech could get him motivated.

I’d take him out of after 20 minutes if he was too sluggish.

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By lefutur | March 31st, 2009 at 1:21 pm

I think we can pretty much bet that Domenech will do what he has always done, use 2 DM’s. Because he’s boring and doesnt know that to never take any risks is suicide.

So I expect either Alou Diarra or Rio Mavuba to replace Toulalan in midfield and maybe he will start Nasri on the left and switch Ribery to the right or vice versa. I expect Henry to play up top again.

Benzema has underperformed for Les Bleus the same way just about every attacking player, including Henry, underperforms when they play for Domenech. He has very little offensive support and like with Puel at Lyon, doesnt perform as well in a defensive-minded formation.

Posted from United States

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