My Thoughts on Domenech’s Trezeguet “Snub”

I really tend to agree with this. I think nobody denies the huge talent he is gifted with, but really it seems that the problem has to do with style of play. It was just impossible to find Trez in the middle of 5 Scottish defenders; there was a need for a different kind of player, who moves a lot more up and down, side to side.
I actually like the guy, and I wish he found his niche – but it seems since 2000, so many teams have adopted a super-defensive style of play against France.

I don’t think we have a term that exactly covers the sense of “snub”. But there is the verb “snober” or “bouder” which could kind of approach that.

Sad to say it, but I agree. Like Inzaghi, Trez is basically a poacher, he doesn’t need to do much, just hang around the goal area and take his chances. In int’l football, that type of player is a bit dicey to depend on. Donadoni has reluctantly (due to injuries and suspensions) put Inzaghi on his NT a few times recently and little has come of it. Inzaghi did score two of Milan’s goals in the CL final last season that won them the trophy but I really think the classic goal poacher works better in club football in the modern game than he does in int’l tournaments. This wasn’t always the case but as you say, the game has changed.

What strikes me as funny is that so many Serie A fans are offended that Trezeguet is left out of France’s squad, as if Domenech is insulting their league, and yet most are happy to see Inzaghi off of Italy’s squad. And yet they are the same type of players.

I like Trezeguet, but I like the France NT a lot more, and at the end of the day, I want players on the team who will help the EDF win.

Also, the Govou thing is pretty much irrelvant when it comes to Trezeguet. Govou is there to back up Ribery or Malouda, not the strikers. AND in the 2006/2007 season, they both scored the same amount of goals for the NT (two), though Govou has played a LOT less.

My point isn’t that Govou is a better player or in any way comparable to Trez, but the fact that Trezeguet’s efficiency for the NT has dropped a lot. Some say that Domenech should change his tactics to fit Trezeguet, but that’s just silly.

With the Morroco game basically being a throw away, I understand Domenech putting the younger talent forward and seeing what they can accomplish. It is only fair that he try every possible combination in order to bring victory for the country in the games that do count. Domenech’s management style seems to be less player friendly and more “what have you done for me lately”. My problem with the Trezeguet situation is that one man does not make a team. It is true that Trezeguet does not command the same presence that Henry does at the forward position but Henry does not score in every game he plays either. His ability to create off the ball is what makes him a complete striker. Trezeguet on the other hand should probably change his approach and prove his ability on the wing. Either that or retire from international play which he recently dropped in an interview.
“bouder” is close..I can’t think of it myself.

Jean-Michel,
I agree with what you say about Henry being a compelte striker, but Trezeguet cannot change his game to “prove his ability on the wing.” He has played his style since his early days at Monaco when he was 17. Not only is change difficult, but I have my doubts about if Trezeguet wanted to change if he could pull it off. He’s slow, he doesn’t dribble around defenders, and therefore, he cannot play on the wing. The strange thing for me is that people are always talking about how the France formation and tactics don’t suit Trezeguet. However, both Juventus and France play 4-4-2 with 2 defensive mids. The only difference is that Juventus has players that can CROSS the ball with some precision ie Nedved, Camoranesi, Del Piero, Iaquinta. I’m sorry, but after seeing France vs Argentina and France vs. Scotland a multitude of times, there were absolutely no good crosses into the box for Trezeguet to get to. I’m optimistic, however, because Ranieri (the Juventus coach) has made Trezeguet participate a lot more this year at Juve. I see Trezeguet coming back to the midfield a lot more and trying to play off his teammates more. I hope this can translate to some improvement for France.

Patrick, that’s an interesting point — I was going to ask if anybody knew what formation Juventus plays.

And I don’t remember Argentina all that well (since I watched it in a bar and…well, you know how that can go. But I know that in Scotland you’re absolutely right that there were NO good crosses for Trezeguet to get on the end of.

I wonder how he’d play with Rothen? (Yes, I still have hope for him in my heart. Just not in the Ukraine game if Italy doesn’t win and it really matters.)

Patrick, I agree. Trezeguet is no longer a spring chicken and change can be difficult at this stage of a career. However the best make corrections and adapt. Trezeguet may be reluctant since his style has been his bread and butter since early on. Time will tell…

Oh, by the way, Jean-Michel and Doumé, thanks for the French lesson.

While we’re at it, maybe you can help me out with a word that’s been bugging me for the last year. Is there a one-word translation for “costaud”? Patrice Evra used it in an interview last year, saying that when he came to England he had to become “costaud.” I think google translates it as “manly,” but that’s not quite it. “Strong” and “buff” come close, but aren’t quite there either.

I have no idea why this has stuck in my head, but it has. So is there a literal translation, or do I have to adjust my brain to an approximation?

(Or maybe I just need to get out more.)

“What strikes me as funny is that so many Serie A fans are offended that Trezeguet is left out of France’s squad, as if Domenech is insulting their league”

It’s also hilarious because Trez is such a villain in Italian eyes because of his famous golden goal against them and then of course him being a part of the “tainted” team in the 2006 final (tainted in the sense that so much ill feeling was created on both sides after that final).

Laurie, if you get out more you won’t be able to do this blog! So don’t! (get out more, I mean)!

Laurie,
You are pretty much right. I can’t think of one single word – all these terms cover the word costaud (somewhat ancient slang – strong, solid). Ex: “Chabal est très costaud”
I guess in that case, Evra meant he had to be more physical rather than technical, or maybe more in shape.

Yeah it means physical/strong in the way Evra used it. He’s probably referencing the game is more physical in England than in France and that he had to beef up.

Thank you Laurie. I’ve been wondering for a while why Domenech is still not putting Trezeguet in for Les Bleus. It’s hard to follow anything up here. Major kudos for doing such a great job!

PS “costaud” means “tough”, and that’s as close of a translation as it can get.

oh and to snub is snober

Thanks for the kind words, Olivier. May I ask where “up here” is?