Official: The Playoff Opponent is Ireland

Ireland are a good side and it would be disrespectful to talk them down. I think it’s very unfair of UEFA to introduce the seeding rule after the competition had started. It’s very transparent and undignified on their part.

I’m personally gutted about the draw as both France and Ireland are the very 2 teams I didn’t want to see paired as I follow both nations as my Dad is Irish and I have an admiration for French football. I have to support Ireland for this one though.

I was hoping for Greece but they landed in top seeds as well!

Ireland won’t be easy. But it will be a good test of this “new” team that scored 8 goals in 2 matches.

Ireland is a tough team. Lets hope for some good games and not a defensive showcase.I would have preferred Bosnia or even Ukraine.

Damn, I wanted Bosnia haha

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5 were against Faroe Islands – hardly a turning point!!!

If I did the search correctly, the last (and only) time France played Ireland was in a friendly back in …

… 1928.

http://www.fff.fr/servfff/historique/match_detail.php?nomatch=78

Actually, the two sides have met 13 times before: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/France-Irlande_en_football

5 wins for France, 4 wins for Ireland, 4 draws.

… oops, so much for my France football scholarship !

HONESTLY it is the best draw for France, it’s like playing the English B team, Sagna,Gallas,Evra,L Diarra,Anelka,Henry, have or are playing in England that type of style is perferct for them, add Toulalan who’s a real though player and Ribery who is a little scraper I AM NOT WORRY AT ALL.

IRLAND 0 FRANCE 1

FRANCE 2 IRLAND 0

No disrespect intended I wish they would have played slovenia,I like the Irish and their spirit, but Russia or Ukrain it would have been thougher, I think France has their sh.. together now

LLIORIS

SAGNA GALLAS ABIDAL EVRA

TOULALAN L DIRRA

GORCUFF RIBERY
ANELKA (if he hustles) HENRY

I am nervous about Ireland and their set pieces. It will be a very difficult home and away series. The first game will be crucial…how is that for the obvious…

http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/10/2nd-place-draw-is-out-france-to-meet.html

Ireland 2 France 1, this is going to be an excellent match up as long as Irelands defense shows up.

Ireland is tenacious and strong on set pieces.

France has more depth, talent and experience.

The Irish, also, have better coaching.

I hope I can catch it somewhere. I think it’s the most intriguing show down of all the match ups.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/France-Irlande_en_football

No disrespect to Ireland..but how did Ireland won in 1981 when Platini & co were playing??

The fact that France’s home game will be in the St. Denis (just outside Paris) Stade de France stadium is a PLUS for Ireland, not France. The Parisian crowd are a miserable, unsupporting bunch, they’re a hindrance to the national team’s efforts on the pitch. As a France supporter, I wish the home game would be played in another venue (like the one France played v. the Faroes, great home crowd atmosphere). I can see Ireland getting thru this tie, they have a much better manager. France have better players but the Irish players’ mentality, commitment, unity and attitude is superior and could get them thru.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Lloris was fantastic in Champions League this week. Actually, every France team except Toulouse was fantastic this week.

Poor Toulouse.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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