The France List for Italy and Scotland

September 3rd, 2007 | by: Laurie |

So much has been going on while I’ve been busy elsewhere! I’m not going to go back to the A and A’ games against Slovakia except to say that the A’ team lost (0-1 if I’m remembering right) and the A’s won 1-0 on a quickly-taken Thierry Henry free kick. I’m still divided on those quick kicks, but on this one I have to say that they should have been prepared — he’d already done it once in the game. Fool me once, etc. etc. I never did get to watch the second half due to computer issues, but they looked good in the first half. Not wholly dominant, especially when it came to actually putting it in the net, but solid. Let’s hope that’s enough for the upcoming games.

Next big news: In case you somehow missed it, Raymond Domenech is suspended for the Italy game. UEFA apparently didn’t appreciate his comments about Italy being a bunch of cheaters and didn’t buy the supporting info he gave, so he is outta there for the game. What do you think? Good news, bad news?

And yes, we have The List for the Italy and Scotland games. So what’s news?

Let’s see… The biggie is David Trezeguet’s back! That hat trick in Serie A must have convinced Raymond at last, because there he is on the list. I’m guessing it was that Serie A experience that tipped the scales. Ditto for Philippe Mexes, also called up. I was a little surprised to see Bakary Sagna on the list again, but I hear he’s been playing up a storm for his new team Arsenal and that probably counts for a lot. Still, though, I was hoping Willy Sagnol was going to be better for these games. Sigh.

I’m also thrilled to see both Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri on the list. France’s future, right there. Doesn’t Karim currently have at least four goals already this year? I LOVE this kid. And I’d love to see both subbed in and getting another cap, except I’m not sure Samir is physically 100% yet after a couple of early-season injuries. Anybody have thoughts on this?

I also thought William Gallas was still supposed to be out. I’m seeing Arsene is again not happy. What’s up here, do you think? Can Raymond just not make it through one set of games without thoroughly infuriating at least one coach?

I’m still hoping we’ll see Sebastien Frey in goal against Italy. I just have to think the Italian experience could mean a lot here. What do you think?

Here is the full list:

Liste des joueurs sélectionnés

Gardiens de But

16 Sébastien FREY A.C.F. Fiorentina
1 Mickaël LANDREAU Paris SG
23 Ulrich RAME F.C.G. Bordeaux

Défenseurs

3 Eric ABIDAL F.C. Barcelone
13 François CLERC Olympique Lyonnais
17 Julien ESCUDE F.C. Séville
2 Patrice EVRA Manchester United
5 William GALLAS Arsenal F.C.
14 Philippe MEXES A.S. Roma
19 Bakary SAGNA Arsenal F.C.
15 Lilian THURAM F.C. Barcelone

Milieux de Terrain

18 Alou DIARRA F.C.G. Bordeaux
21 Lassana DIARRA Arsenal F.C.
6 Claude MAKELELE Chelsea F.C.
11 Samir NASRI Olympique de Marseille
8 Jérémy TOULALAN Olympique Lyonnais
4 Patrick VIEIRA Inter de Milan

Attaquants

39 Nicolas ANELKA Bolton Wanderers
9 Karim BENZEMA Olympique Lyonnais
10 Sidney GOVOU Olympique Lyonnais
12 Thierry HENRY F.C. Barcelone
7 Florent MALOUDA Chelsea F.C.
22 Franck RIBERY F.C. Bayern Münich
20 David TREZEGUET Juventus Turin

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http://www.mcalcio.com Marco

Glad to see Trezeguet back on the list. And maybe with Domenech out of the game, he has a chance of actually playing this time?
sandrahn

Welcome back Laurie. Yeah, Arsene criticized Domenech for his remarks in some press interview (he was asked for his reaction). We all know there’s no love loss there. Apparently Domenech says he’s got proof for his charges. Whatever.

Sagna has been absolutely UNBELIEVABLE at Arsenal. It’s like he’s been playing in the top flight English PL for years, not just a few weeks. No adjustment period, he just started playing brilliantly from pre-season — on. Wenger’s a genius when it comes to spotting these kids you’ve never heard of. He also purchased another young Frenchman, Lassana Diarra, from Chelsea very late in the transfer window.

Did you see this weekend’s Barca game v. Bilbao? The big story was that it was Henry’s starting debut but if you actually watched the game, it was another Frenchman who ran riot all over the pitch and deservedly got all the commentators’ attention — Abidal. I was amazed because I’ve always thought him one of the lesser talents on the French NT.

Forget Ronaldinho, Messi and the rest in that game — Abidal was the man of the match, no question. I hope he stays that way against Italy and beyond.