Official: The Playoff Opponent is Ireland

I agree about the crowd in Paris – they’re always on edge.

Posted from  United States

well guys, it is unbelievable to see many of u just respecting Ireland but not treating them like a threat!1Knowing the way they play( very defensive, physical, strong in set ups, freekicks, corners, good headers in Dunne, Kilbane, Stledger, Doyle, great speedy winger in Duff, a prooven goal scorer in keane), i think France will have to fire on all cylinders if they r to make it..Players like Henry will be totally ineffective against irish defenders, Ribery, gourceffand benzema must play very well if France r to make it..believe me, if France loses in Ireland, itwill be very tough..

Oh, I think they’re a threat.

Posted from  Canada

Ribery is out with knee tendinitis for another month and will probably miss these two games.
Things dont seem to go our way

Posted from  United States

Ireland scares the hell out of me to be honest. The truth though is, we have to be able to beat Ireland or going to the world cup will be useless, because we will have to play teams a lot more skilled than Ireland in South Africa. I see this as a test to see if France is worthy at the moment.

Posted from  United States

I think France are favorites. I’m a fan, and I like some of the things in the side right now, and so I’m feeling optimistic. Ireland aren’t as tough as the best sides in the world, like Brazil, but they’re still a decent side. If they’re playing well and France aren’t on top form, then France could be hurt. But I’m pretty sure France will continue to play well, and maybe still better, and I can’t see Benzema, Henry, Anelka, and Gignac all being stopped right now. Injuries hurt us, so there’s some weakness there. Govou v Ribery – it’s easily Ribery you want in there.

There’s a good frame to the side now with a settled holding midfield and pretty stable back 4.

Most people seem to hate having two holding midfielders, but for me it’s just the France formation, like with Deschamps and Petit in 1998. Those players orchestrate from deep. There’s space in front of them for someone like Zidane, Henry, Pires, Gourcuff, or Ribery to find openings in the back line, and at least 3 options: a striker or one of the two wingers. And then there’s always the fullbacks bombing forward.

Posted from  United States

I notice how all the pro-English media is talking about how France is going to lose to Irelando. Why? Pure and simple, Over 90% of their players play in the EPL. And if France defeats Ireland, they are pretty much beating the EPL. And after Tuesday’s Liverpool vs. Lyon game, they don’t want to admit that France just might be better in football than England.

I love it!

Oh, and my predictions…Game 1 – Ireland 1-1 France. Game 2 – France 3-0 Ireland.

come on guys ireland is a decent team BUT THAT’S IT, it’s not Spain,Germany,Brazil or Argentina, I honesly woul not even worry if we faced England team we beat last year.As far as the French,yes they don’t like their coach, but they love the FRANCE so everyone is behind the team and that’s it,I feel a 1-1 or 0-0 ir irland is probable but win would not surprise me, Ribery out,that’s actually a good thing, his last performances where ok,plus this will be a lesser of a problem for domenech,Henry with Bezema as attacking midfielders,Anelka and they good player from Toulouse forgot his name, up front,LLIORIS has made allot of progress his a decent goalie,the defense as it stands is ok,great defensive midfielders fantastic attacking power, you don’t have to be great to beat Irland just above average will do, in SA team will have to emprove to winn the WC, I WILL GO ON RECORD TO SAY THAT FRANCE AT A MINIMUM WILL MAKE IT TO THE TOP 4,YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK IF I AM WRONG I DESERVE ALL THE VERBAL ABUSE………NOW LET’S SEE AND LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

sorry forgot gorcuff that’s another option

Ok, Terry, I can see you’re excited.

World Cup Semis, minimum. Got it. Thanks for the tip. It’s great to hear.

Now how’s it gonna feel when France lose the first leg of the playoff 3-0? It could happen. I’m not sayin’ I expect that, but Ireland will have a say in the tie, no doubt.

Posted from  United States

Domenech or not, I too will go on record as saying that France could be thought of as worthy semi-finalists. My biggest question is at keeper, though I think Lloris has got the makings of the craft, if not yet the wisdom. Right now, I trust the Arsenal back 3, and think that Abidal can emulate Desailly over four weeks in South Africa. I tend to agree with Jeff re the two defensive mids, but wonder how much difference Flamini might have made. We need at least the threat of a goal-scorer in a boxer. In other words, I lament that Vieira is unlikely to have a second coming. Then again, there’s something to be said for having, in no particular order, Diaby, Nasri, Govou, Malouda, Ribery and Gourcuff. And which other world four match the potential firepower of Benzema, PAG, Henry and Anelka? So, my onze in Dublin (subbing Govou, Diaby or possibly Nasri in place of Toulalan and Evra for Clichy in St. Denis if we need goals):

Lloris
Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Clichy

Lass
Toulalan
Malouda
Gourcuff
Henry
PAG

Any news on the possible Trezeguet return?

I just watched a spectacular game, Liverpool v. Lyon, Champions league. Lyon won 2-1. Amazing game from our players Lloris, Govou, Gomis, and Toulalan. Proving how amazing France really is.

Trezeguet won’t be back. They don’t need him. I hate to say that, but they don’t.

Ireland will beat France

That’s a bold statement xyz.

France will kill Ireland

Posted from  Netherlands

Current Striker Goal Totals:

Trezeguet: 4
Anelka: 3
Gomis: 4
Andre Pierre Gignac: 2
Benzema:3
Govou: 1
Henry:0

Trezeguet is not an everyday starter and often comes in late in games. Thought I’d sprinkle that in. Of course France does not have the quality crossing game that Juventus enjoys with Diego, Cameronesi, ADP, Grosso, & Giovinco. Best healthy options now are probably Malouda, Gourcuff, & Henry.

Posted from  United States

Yes, I want Trezeguet on the team to come in on the 80th minute or so, He does it for Juve, and just last game he scored on like the 87th minute. He does very well late in the game, VERY WELL. Where are you getting these stats from Jean-Michel? is this in their clubs? Speaking of clubs, all the clubs with French players are playing very well(except for the Real Madrid fiasco, not getting into details, well and the Marseille accident.) I seriously think France has the SKILL to win the world cup, but right now we have 11 players on the field not 11 TEAMMATES, and we have a Manager not a COACH. Trezeguet can really help us become a TEAM.

remy 5
gameiro 4

Posted from  United States

Jean-Francois,
I got all these stats from espn.com. These are club stats but from their respective leagues. I don’t think Champion’s League is included. I saw that goal as well and I’m pretty sure he came in the 75th minute or so.

Posted from  United States

France will lose in the playoffs…Theirry henry is finsihed goods, he cant score against physical defenders, and the referes will not allow him to dive like he usually does when the going gets tough..he is past his peak.benzema is overrated..he is a flop in Madrid..the irish r very good in set pieces and Gallas is very weak in air..let us see..irish to nick it 1-0 at home and draw in Paris 0-0..i cant see France scoring without Ribery

Posted from  Spain

Honestly, why is everyone here so pessimistic? France are gaining momentum. They played very well against both the Faroes and Austria. Their attack-minded style is finally paying dividends. Gourcuff should be back. France will easily take care of business

Posted from  United States