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My Thoughts on Domenech’s Trezeguet “Snub”

November 13th, 2007 | By: Laurie | 15 Comments »

Did you know that if you google the words “Trezeguet Domenech Snub” you get 1980 hits? And that’s just in the English speaking press. (I’d do the French too, but off the top of my head I can’t remember the French word for “snub.” French speakers, feel free to help me out here.)

Sports writers everywhere are saying that David Trezeguet’s lack of a callup this time around is proof that Raymond Domenech is acting solely out of spite and malice where David is concerned. How in the world could one of Serie A’s leading strikers NOT be called up for France?

Me, though? I’m not so sure this is the reason.

Yes, there seems to be some bad blood between Trezeguet and Domenech. And of course I’m not saying that Domenech is incapable of holding these kinds of grudges. When all of the first-choice strikers got injured before the last set of games and he called up Frédéric Piquionne instead of Trezeguet? That was a snub. Making him play on the A’ team (which is basically the B team) against Slovakia? That was a snub.

The thing is, though, I don’t know that it’s necessarily personal. As the next generation of players is coming of age and developing into complete players at last, what I’m seeing is an amazing array of talent that’s bumped Trezeguet down in the pecking order.

Yes, Trezeguet has a long history with the France National Team. And yes, Trezeguet is performing for his club. Problem is, though, so are a lot of strikers. And those strikers have been able to perform for France recently. Trezeguet hasn’t. And it’s not as if he hasn’t had chances. Scotland, 2006, Trezeguet started. France couldn’t score and lost. Argentina, 2007, Trezeguet started. France couldn’t score and lost. Scotland, 2007, Trezeguet started. France couldn’t score and lost. Seeing a pattern here?

Yes, there was that Faroe Islands game in October 2006 where he scored two in the second half. That game made me think it was just a matter of time before he regained his form on the NT. But the Argentina game and the September Scotland game left me thinking, how many chances are enough? At what point to do you say, “this isn’t working and it’s time to move on“? For some reason Trezeguet is not clicking with this France team, and continuing to give him chances, particularly in must-win games, is dangerous.

Trezeguet is a straight poacher. His skills elsewhere are somewhat limited. I’m not sure why Domenech would call him up when he has options like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Karim Benzema, all of whom are more complete players.

On the other hand, the name Sidney Govou comes up fairly often as an attaquant Trezeguet can outperform. I like Govou personally, but I’m not the biggest fan of his skills, so I have some sympathy for this argument. But Govou is having a good season at Lyon, and his skill set is much different from Trezeguet’s. (I don’t think anybody’s going to argue that David is a great winger.) So even if Govou weren’t called up, I don’t see him being replaced by Trezeguet.

I don’t think that David’s days on the NT are over. I think he’ll get at least one more chance. And I really I hope he’ll be able to take advantage of it.

But I don’t think it will be for these upcoming games, even with Anelka injured. These games, especially the Ukraine game, are too important, and I can’t see Domenech being willing to take the risk.

And I’m sad to admit this, but I agree with him.

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Comments

By Doumé | November 13th, 2007 at 10:29 am

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.

By sandrahn | November 13th, 2007 at 11:36 am

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.

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By Inara | November 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm

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.

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By Inara | November 13th, 2007 at 2:14 pm

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.

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By Jean-Michel | November 13th, 2007 at 6:47 pm

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.

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By Patrick | November 13th, 2007 at 8:01 pm

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.

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By Laurie | November 13th, 2007 at 9:27 pm

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.)

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By Jean-Michel | November 13th, 2007 at 11:30 pm

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…

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By Laurie | November 14th, 2007 at 12:31 pm

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.)

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By sandrahn | November 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pm

“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)!

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By Doumé | November 14th, 2007 at 1:35 pm

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.

By Jean-Michel | November 14th, 2007 at 6:18 pm

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.

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By Olivier | November 24th, 2007 at 5:04 pm

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.

By Olivier | November 24th, 2007 at 5:07 pm

oh and to snub is snober

By Laurie | November 24th, 2007 at 5:13 pm

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

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