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That Raymond Domenech! He Really Knows How to Change!

August 21st, 2008 | By: Laurie | 20 Comments »

First thing. I’m thrilled by the win, and thrilled that we scored three goals, and thrilled that the Govou who showed up today was Visible Sidney, as opposed to his more-frequently-present evil twin, Invisible Sidney. And Sagna looks promising, especially offensively, and he and Benzema could be golden together when it comes to scoring. And Henry did that one cheeky little in-the-air backheel thing that was amazing and essentially won the game.

So why do I not feel better about this match?

Here’s why: Domenech’s really switching things up and changing things around, just like he was told to, huh?

(Note: That was sarcasm.)

I really thought he was when I saw the call-ups. Now, though, I’m thinking it’s a lot more of the same ol’. Except… a teeny bit different.

Let’s think about this.

Domenech replaced three of the four in the back line!
Yes, but…
…Abidal had to be replaced today because of that red card. Chances are he’ll be back.
…Thuram had to be replaced because of retirement.
…Sagnol maybe didn’t officially retire (did he?), but he was a shadow of his former self at Euros and pretty much had to be replaced. And Clerc, Domenech’s previously favored #2, is injured.

In Domenech’s favor, he did play Mexes over Boumsong in the center. That’s a plus. But that was probably the biggest media outcry after Euros, so I’m thinking it may have been forced on him.

Plus this defense? SCARY. They played it too close to the edge and came close to giving away more than that one penalty. Way too many Hail-Mary, Oh-my-gosh-how-did-he-get-this-close tackles. It really did make for an intense and exciting game, but a really good team would punish them for it.

What about the midfield?
Let’s see…in the center, Makelele is replaced by Makelele Lite (aka L. Diarra).
In the attack… Whoa, looks the same to me. Domenech continues to do the “switch around Govou, Ribery and Malouda” thing. With a taste of “sub in Nasri (here read: Gourcuff) so it looks like I’m being innovative.”

And on the attack, let’s be really creative!
Henry and Benzema. Yeah.

(In Domenech’s favor, it did work today. But I’m still not seeing Henry as a ninety-minute player, and I don’t think that’s going to change as he gets older.)

But what about in goal!
True, Coupet’s eligible but not called up, so that’s a switch. But Mandanda kind of scared me today. There were at least a couple of “bat it away back into danger” moments that reminded me of what always terrified me about Barthez, and he just didn’t look…confident. I personally didn’t see a lot of improvement over Coupet. This could change, but I personally wouldn’t be annointing him the new #1 just yet. I would have loved to see Lloris (or…um…Frey?) out there for a half.

But wait! Domenech got creative with the subs, right?
The biggest WTF moments of the day. Seriously, Alou Diarra for Malouda? I like Alou, but is there anybody out there who can say with a straight face that Alou Diarra is the face of France’s future?

I thought not. We already KNOW how Diarra plays! Put on Flamini!!

Also, Gourcuff subbed in for twenty seconds? What the HELL was that all about?

And subs not used, in a crucial game which just happens to be your last friendly before it really counts, and you have some key holes, and you really, truly need to see who’s up to the pressure before it’s too late?

Does anybody else think that Raymond is just paying lip service to change? And that at the first possible opportunity he’ll be playing 4-4-2, with the only changes from the Euro lineup the ones that had to be made due to injury, suspension or retirement?

Or am I being too pessimistic?

(On the plus side, though? I like the new jerseys.)

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Comments

By Steph | August 21st, 2008 at 5:07 am

Hey Laurie!

Hmm actually I really have to disagree with most of your comments…! sorry! i dont think Doms is paying lip service. i saw a totally different team last night, and players who were really motivated. they’re comments after the game reflected that.

Im not sure he could have done much more about the back line…who else is he supposed to play? There were quite a few close calls though, for sure, but im not sure that was the back 4’s fault.

Midfield wise, we have injuries so who’s supposed to play? We know Diarra is favoured over Flamini presumably b/c Doms views him as more versatile (like when he pushed out to the left when A. Diarra came on). i would like to see more of Flams tho. he might have not wanted to push Flamini b/c he hasnt started playing much (Serie doesnt start till the end of the month) while Diarra playing in France has played 2 games already. i know same is true for mexes but we’re a lot thinner at the back.

and attack-wise, Henry-Benz could be the best duo in the world if they keep improving! You dont think Henry can last 90 minutes? well he was at his most effective late in the game and hes not THAT old. what else is doms supposed to do up front, start 3 forwards? then we’d have even more worries at the back. I also have always found Govou to be exciting when he’s on. Whenever he’s been given the chance (like the 3-1 ovr Italy, the 2-2 draw with Morocco i think it was, and his short time in the euros) he’s been 100% in it.

yeah we’re still playing 4-4-2 but we were more offensive last night, there were less back passes. Toulalan was often well up the pitch and L. Diarra often and goes at the defense when he had the ball. evra/sagna always bursted forward when the opp was there. i mean the 2nd and 3rd goals were purely in the “lets be more direct” mould.

sub wise, i thought they were ok. Gourcuff was just on to get his 1st cap and waste time. Diarra was a bit strange yeah but it was to add some muscle in there. He’s physically very imposing, could be the next Vieira if he can keep improving.

but i really have to disagree with you about Mandanda…he was brilliant!!! he totally saved our butts all game. he was very confident coming out for balls, punching those away that had bend on them. if i were doms i’d start him every game…he’s big, strong and i think full of confidence having led Marseille to the Champions League. finally we have an athletic keeper who is imposing. Frey is most likely retiring from the team. I hope we dont see Coupet again…

i dont know, im really optimistic…but there is still work to be done. we need to be tighter all over the pitch.

cheer up dude!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Michel-Olivier | August 21st, 2008 at 7:35 am

-france has no depth
-henry can’t last 90 minute, if continue like that his back problem will comeback again.
-mandanda suck, he should play frey
-toulalan and diarra’s are too similar. remember petit and deschamps, that is what france need(flamini and toulalan) not lele and pat(diarra’s)
-govou suck, 2 goal is nothing, gomis scored 2 goals he sill suck. sweeden is an old team, since 1998 they keep playing the same players, they don’t give youth a chance.
-france will not qualify for WC, even if they do a repeat of euro08(1p/1goal)

if you are going to criticize what i wrote, i have this to say
vous avez le intelligence commes une vache, et je m’en fous

Posted from United States

By Laurie | August 21st, 2008 at 9:01 am

Steph, I wasn’t referring so much to this game, but to Domenech’s attitude, which is, of course, impossible to judge after one game. You’re absolutely right — who else could he have played? But that’s a huge, huge part of the problem. Domenech never plays anybody else. He never experiments, so we have no depth. It could be that I’m just seeing the world through my own anti-Domenech bias, and wishing for immediate change when it will take time. I hope so.

On defense, I really feel that these are our four most talented players, and I’m hoping they gel. But I sure wish they’d had the opportunity before must-win qualifiers.

Our attacking midfield still really troubles me. It’s basically sticking with mediocrity. (And yes, I am still saying that even though Govou had two goals.)

I welcome your comments on Mandanda — my pirate stream was horrible and fuzzy and constantly buffering, so I couldn’t see nuance. I’m keeping an open mind there. But I still would have liked to see what Lloris could do.

And we’re going to have to agree to disagree on Henry.

My huge concern with yesterday was much less with the team put on the field than with the fact that the “change” really feels — to me — like more of the same. I got the feeling that Domenech is like a rubber band — he can stretch, but it’s not comfortable, and he’s just waiting for the moment when he can snap back to his original position.

I’d be happy to be wrong — and we’ll see how wrong I am when everybody (meaning especially Abidal and Clerc) is back from injury and suspension. If he puts them back in the lineup, when I really, really feel that Evra and Sagna are better? Then I’ll think I’m right. If not, I’ll believe he has the capacity for change.

Posted from United States

By metamoralia | August 21st, 2008 at 10:11 am

Hmmm, if memory serves, didn’t Evra replace Abidal as a starter in the Netherlands game last June? The pecking order may now be: 1. Evra 2. Abidal 3. Clichy

It’s unfortunate Clichy wasn’t allowed into the game yesterday … but, supposedly, I don’t really know, he’s the weakest of the three defensively.

If so, that’s not going to help–from what I read in the comments here–a suspect defense.

Anyway, from my limited exposure, Clichy looks great with Arsenal and imagine what he and Nasri might do for France going up the left side.

Posted from Canada

By Michel-Olivier | August 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am

Official: Frey Quits France

“After a long reflection, I would like to publicly announce that with the current technical staff in charge of France, I have decided to devote all my time to Fiorentina,” Frey is quoted as saying by ANSA.

“I do not want it to sound disrespectful to the current coach, but obviously I will not return given his choices.”

goal.com

Posted from United States

By Jean Pierre | August 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pm

The game yesterday was quite good but not extraordinary fantastic like France 8 years ago. But there are improvements and Sagna, Toulalan, Henry & Benzema combination was not bad. I hope Henry will still continue, about Benzema we don’t need to worry. But when Nasri and Ribéry are back france will be better (anyone knows whether ribéry will be recovered by the time France plays against Serbia (10 September) ?

Posted from Netherlands

By Jeff/433 | August 21st, 2008 at 3:34 pm

I tend to agree with Laurie that about Dom’s limitations, but Steph is really trying to be optimistic about Dom’s/FFF’s new initiatives, and it’s rubbed off on me a bit: I’m cautiously optimistic – at least optimistic that he won’t get worse.

Henry is so good. I like him and Benzema starting together, but as a striker, and a striker over 30, he’s always should be a candidate to come off.

Met – Clichy would be a better option than Abidal. There’s no question for me. Clichy and Evra are two of the best left backs in the game. Abidal is past his peak, Evra is at his peak, and Clichy probably hasn’t peaked yet. Evra at his peak (now) is better than Abidal was at his peak, by some distance. I think Abidal has his supporters on this forum, and I certainly don’t want to offend them any more than necessary, but I’ve been hoping for several years that he’d just be kept on as a back-up/squad player. He plays ok in patches, but as a purveyor of the beautiful game, he’s limited.

I’m a revolutionary, so I’d play Clichy and Evra together, moving one of them up to left midfield, although you’re right about that Clichy-Nasri left side – that just might work.

Posted from United States

By Inara | August 21st, 2008 at 3:41 pm

I have just lost so much respect for Frey. Coupet waited until he was 33 before he got his chance. Frey is 28, he was taken to Euro 2008 and given Landreau’s #2 spot. And he’s whining because he was dropped from a friendly that was aimed specifically to try out the youngsters?

Is he for real?

If that’s his attitude, good riddance! His situation is totally dissimilar to Trezeguet’s. GK is a position with very little turnover, Frey should know that.

By Michel-Olivier | August 21st, 2008 at 4:39 pm

@ Inara
“aimed specifically to try out the youngsters?
hahahaha
how many sub did dom used? and which youngsters did dom tried?

Posted from United States

By Inara | August 21st, 2008 at 4:44 pm

It’s not just the game itself. It’s the practices, the team environment. For example, Lloris might not have played, but Domenech was able to see him train, see his personality, see him in scrimmages, etc. It’s also important for Lloris to get to know his teammates and coaches, acclimate to the expectations and environment, etc.

Same for Gourcuff, who has never received a call up before. The behind the scenes time is just as crucial as time on the pitch.

By Jean-Michel | August 21st, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Those are some good points Inara. I also agree with Laurie. The true Domenech test will be when everyone returns and the selections he makes then. Lets consider this a pre-season game.

Posted from United States

By Doumé | August 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Inara, I agree.

Much has to be said from this game, but I see two good points: coming back from a deficit, and scoring 3 goals. That was point #1 for, start scoring again – and against a team that can regroup in the box. The defensive problems, well I think it’s normal after having these veterans putting up an impressive wall. They will eventually gel. I still believe Mexes will get his marks in the future.
But what I liked, even with admittedly similar players as before, is the will to go through the wings and fight. Yes, Malouda, Henry, and others eventually provided some good balls to work with; I think when Ribery comes back (Franck that is) thing will even circulate better. But, more than the roster itself, I think it was the will to go and do it that made the difference.
So, Laurie, I understand your pessimism, you don’t want to get your heart broken again. But I feel pretty OK with the game.

By Eric | August 23rd, 2008 at 3:10 am

Well I think France scoring 3 goals in one game is a good thing. I mean we only scored once throughout the entire Euro cup. Though the defense was quite shakey i will say that Mexes came up with so many important blocks and tackles. Sagna performed well but I still prefer Clerc over him. Govou played a great game and should never be overlooked. Malouda had his moments and that setup for the second goal was fantastic service. Can someone tell me why L.Diara is on this team? We don’t need him. Anyone can see that Flamini is just a much more talented player. I remember the Ecuador game and he was solid as well as creative. Also i am not sure if A.Diara really has a place on the team but we’ll see. As for Gourcuff, I was really hoping to see him play. I have heard a lot of good things about him. He should of been subbed at the 80th minute. Oh well a victory is a good thing. We need to build off of this win.

Posted from United States

By Seb | August 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm

I think that many of you know I’m one of the more optimistic people around here, typically, but I’m basically with Laurie on this one, as I am not convinced that Domenech really has done anything much different. I think our scoring 3 goals had significantly more due to the our huge advantage in speed over Sweden (Malouda and Sagna were able to outpace the Swedish defenders to get to those balls early to cross them to Benzema/Govou) as well as the motivation of the players than anything that Domenech did for the match.

I don’t know why Domenech didn’t give Clichy (who I am now convinced is actually our best left back) or Lloris a half, especially how Evra struggled in this match, though again, that’s Domenech. My theory? I think Domenech has something against players who depart France early in their careers (examples: Frey, Clichy, to a lesser extent, Sinama-Pongolle, though it’s questionable actually if SP deserves any NT thoughts due to the depth we have).

Instead, he loves those who have stayed in France and are consistent in L1 like A. Diarra, Clerc, and Gomis, whose credentials are good but would be lower than Flamini/Sagna/Trez, for example, on a world scale.

By Jean Pierre | August 24th, 2008 at 1:31 pm

Next match of Les Bleus is on 6 September against Austria, aint it?

Posted from Netherlands

By metamoralia | August 25th, 2008 at 9:10 am

Yes, Jean Pierre, France plays Austria in Vienna.

Austria drew 2-2 with Italy in their friendly last week …

Posted from Canada

By Jean Pierre | August 25th, 2008 at 11:55 am

ah okay:D

ty metamoralia

Posted from Netherlands

By metamoralia | August 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am