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List for Slovakia-France Comes Out Thursday

August 13th, 2007 | By: Laurie | 14 Comments »

The list for the Slovakia-France friendly will be released on Thursday, August 16. Who are we expecting to be on it?

I think I join a lot of other people in wishing for an Italian-centered list that includes players like Roma’s Philippe Mexès , Fiorentina’s Sébastien Frey and, yes, Juventus’s David Trezeguet. This is the one last chance to make some tweaks before the huge September Euro qualifiers with Italy and Scotland, and I hope Raymond does it right.

If I were Raymond, I’d start Sébastien Frey in goal to see if he’s got what it takes for the NT. And (I’m assuming 4-4-2 here) I’d put Nicolas Anelka and Trezeguet up front together. As Patrick pointed out in the comments, Trezeguet is looking good so far for Juventus in the preseason as they head back into Serie A. And how long have I wanted to see this Anelka-Trezeguet combination? Since Faroe Islands last year. That’s a long time. But I’m guessing we’ll see Anelka and Thierry Henry. Wonder how that combo will play out? (And I wonder if Anelka will get the blame if it doesn’t work.) And I wonder who will be left out — Djibril Cissé or Karim Benzema? Anybody want to guess which I’d prefer?

I’m guessing we’ll again see Franck Ribéry and Florent Malouda in the midfield, but Samir Nasri’s a definite possibility as well. I have question marks for holding midfielders, although I’d definitely bring in Jérémy Toulalan. And Patrick Vieira is apparently healthy again as well. But what about Claude Makélélé? And which other young gun should serve as backup?

For defenders… First question: Where is Willy Sagnol in his knee rehab? I have a hard time following Sagnol (and now Ribéry) in Germany, but I see Sagnol didn’t play this weekend for Munich, so I’m guessing he won’t be available for France this go-round. Which means we’ll probably see François Clerc again. (Nothing against Clerc, but I really wish we’d develop some more depth at this position.) For central defenders, I’m guessing we’ll see Lilian Thuram-William Gallas again, but I’d sure like to see at least a half with Gallas-Mexès. And at leftback I can’t imagine anybody but Abidal as the starter. But will Julien Escudé be backup at both center and left? Or is there a chance we’ll see Mexès and Sébastien Squillaci as backups in the center, which would open the door for my much-adored Patrice Evra to be called up again as backup leftback? (Crossing my fingers, although I love Escudé also.)

What do you think? Who do you want to see, and how should the team use this match to prepare for the upcoming Euro qualifiers?

Tags: Abidal, Anelka, Benzema, Cisse, Clerc, Escude, Evra, France, Gallas, Henry, Makelele, Malouda, Mexes, Nasri, Ribery, Sagnol, Slovakia, Squillaci, Thuram, Toulalan, Trezeguet, Vieira

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Comments

By Seb | August 13th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

After Trez blasted Domenech in the media and given how Domenech acts toward criticism, sadly he won’t be on the list.

Here is my 23 if I were in charge.

1 Mickaël Landreau
16 Sébastien Frey (starter)

3 Eric Abidal
5 William Gallas (starter)
8 Patrice Evra (starter)
15 Lillian Thuram (starter)
17 Philippe Mexès (starter)
18 Sébastien Squillaci
21 Pascal Chimbonda

2 Mathieu Bodmer
4 Patrick Vieira (starter)
6 Claude Makélélé (starter)
7 Florent Malouda (starter)
8 Jérémy Toulalan
10 Samir Nasri (if fit)
14 Rio Mavuba
22 Frank Ribéry (starter)
25 Yoann Gourcuff

9 Florent Sinama-Pongolle
12 Thierry Henry (starter)
20 David Trezeguet (starter if Anelka doesn’t start)
39 Nicolas Anelka (starter if Trez doesn’t start)

That is actually 21, the other 2 spots could be filled by another goalie, or anyone else.

Sadly, I think Domenech’s 23 will turn out like this.

1 Mickaël Landreau (starter)
16 Sébastien Frey

3 Eric Abidal (starter)
5 William Gallas (starter)
13 François Clerc (starter)
15 Lillian Thuram (starter)
17 Gaël Givet
19 Sébastien Squillaci
21 Julian Escudé
29 Bakari Sagna

2 Abou Diaby
4 Patrick Vieira (starter)
6 Claude Makélélé (starter)
7 Florent Malouda (starter)
10 Samir Nasri (starter)
14 Sidney Govou
18 Alou Diarra
22 Frank Ribéry (starter)
24 Lassana Diarra

9 Djibril Cissé
12 Thierry Henry (starter)
20 Karim Benzema
39 Nicolas Anelka

Sorry about the length of this post. I have nothing against any of the 23 Domenech would pick, I only think my 23 would be better.

By Seb | August 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pm

Oops, I miscounted when doing my 23 though to answer Laurie’s question, I think Sagnol remains injured, which is definitely a big blow, since while I don’t dislike Clerc, I can’t help but feel more confident if Willi was at right back.

By Patrick | August 13th, 2007 at 5:08 pm

I know Benzema is good, but he’s so young! He has plenty of time! It’s ridiculous to select him now when he’ll never be a starter. It’s unfortunate that Trez just recently criticized Domenech for the Italian ref comment. Does he want to be selected or not?

Posted from United States

By Seb | August 13th, 2007 at 8:36 pm

Actually, as it turns out, Domenech will release an A team and also an A’ team, which would be the equivalent of a B team. So 35 players in all will be selected by him.

By Patrick | August 13th, 2007 at 11:29 pm

Well, then there’s really no excuse for Trezeguet not to be selected!

Posted from United States

By Inara | August 13th, 2007 at 11:35 pm

I don’t know if Trez helped his chances after his criticisms of Domenech.

Also, Frey may or may not be a better gk than Landreau, but Landreau is #2, and the pecking order should be respected, unless Landreau does poorly (which I don’t think he will).

Mexes is a card shark. He’s already been red carded and has one or two yellows, and it’s still only preseason!

Posted from United States

By Seb | August 14th, 2007 at 12:29 am

In defense of Mexès, I don’t think anyone was more of a card shack than the man wearing the armband right now (Patrick Vieira). That didn’t turn out too badly, but of course, I will admit that he should pick up less cards, though to his credit, he was named AS Roma’s Player of the Season. Also, Gattuso is as an aggressive bully as anyone, and Paulo Montero was considered an elite defender while being carded more often than anyone else in Italian soccer.

Perhaps giving Mexès a spot will cool him down.

By Patrick | August 14th, 2007 at 1:09 am

Do you guys think Clerc is better than Reveillere? I don’t think there’s much difference, but I’m confused why Reveillere isn’t selected anymore.

You’re right about Trez, Inara. It was really stupid of him to criticize Domenech. What’s with all these irrational, impulsive soccer players? (except Thuram, of course)

Posted from United States

By Inara | August 15th, 2007 at 2:16 am

Mexes has also hit out at Domenech. Yikes. Maybe we won’t be seeing him next September either. I mean geez, at least wait until Domenech posts his lists.

Patrick, I personally think Reveillere is a better defender than Clerc and has his own share of caps. But Reveillere is 27, Clerc is 23, so perhaps Domenech is planning for the future. Or maybe Reveillere also texted Estelle. It’s hard to say, really.

Posted from United States

By Inara | August 15th, 2007 at 2:33 am

Oops, this is the correct link to the Mexes article.

Posted from United States

By massaer | August 16th, 2007 at 2:28 pm

Trezeguet and Mexes are in, Bodmer and Rodriguez still not in. Fuck Domenech

By GFC | August 16th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

Interesting that no one noted the inclusion of Boumsong and the exclusion once again of Clichy from Arsenal. I think that Clerc and Reveillere are not that different other than age. But some reason Domenech loves both of them.

Interesting to see Seb suggest – Florent Sinama-Pongolle. Not sure what he has done other than be a “potential” star, his day may come but not right now. I do agree that we should see Gourcuff sooner rather than later.

How about Gouffran? He is the main reason Caen is back in Ligue 1…

Posted from United States

By Thierry | August 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pm

About Gouffran Domenech answered:” I didn’t wanted to penalize the espoirs who will play an important match in Italia. It’s true that with the Espoirs there are some who could integrate the group. link:http://www.sports.fr/fr/cmc/scanner/football/200733/domenech-la-porte-reste-ouverte_144714.html?popup
Domenech: “La porte reste ouverte” Equipe de France – ITW Domenech – Sports.fr

Posted from France

By Thierry | August 16th, 2007 at 9:22 pm

The list(A+A’)=34

Gardien: Sébastien FREY (Fiorentina), Mickaël LANDREAU (Paris SG), Ulrich RAME(Bordeaux), Teddy RICHERT(F.C. Sochaux)

Défenseurs: Eric ABIDAL(Barcelone), Jean-Alain BOUMSONG(Juventus Turin), François CLERC (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrice EVRA (Manchester United), William GALLAS (Arsenal), Gaël GIVET (Olympique de Marseille), Philippe MEXES (A.S. Rome), Anthony REVEILLERE (Olympique Lyonnais), Bakary SAGNA (Arsenal), Sébastien SQUILLACI (Olympique Lyonnais), Lilian THURAM (Barcelone), Jonathan ZEBINA (Juventus Turin)

Milieux: Abou DIABY (Arsenal), Alou DIARRA (Bordeaux), Lassana DIARRA(Chelsea), Mathieu FLAMINI (Arsenal), Claude MAKELELE (Chelsea), Florent MALOUDA (Chelsea), Rio Antonio MAVUBA (Villarreal C.F.), Samir NASRI (Olympique de Marseille), Franck RIBERY (Bayern Münich), Jérôme ROTHEN (Paris SG), Jérémy TOULALAN (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrick VIEIRA (Inter de Milan)

Attaquants: Nicolas ANELKA (Bolton), Karim BENZEMA (Olympique Lyonnais), Jimmy BRIAND (Stade Rennais), Djibril CISSE (Olympique de Marseille), Thierry HENRY (Barcelone), Frédéric PIQUIONNE (A.S. Monaco), David TREZEGUET(Juventus Turin)

Posted from France

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