This Is IT. Ireland-France. Leave Comments and Streams Here

C’mon, guys. One more away goal would probably put it away.

Gignac? comon silly pants?

Posted from  United States

Does anyone have clarification on the away goals rule in these playoffs? I’ve heard it is on, that it is not on, and that it would only come into effect after extra time. And FIFA has been putting out contradictory statements about it.

Posted from  United States

Will say (knocking wood and hoping I don’t jinx it) that France has been fantastic at not allowing free kick or corner opportunities.

Away goals WILL count double in the event of a tie.

Posted from  United States

Gourcuff has been disappointing. This team could really use Nasri.

Posted from  United States

Another underwhelming display from the team, yet somehow, Domenech saves face. Expect a 5-5-0 at the Stade.

Posted from  United States

Expect France to rain goals at Saint-Denis.

Posted from  United States

i strongly disagree we played very well, Anelka did very well tonight

Posted from  United States

Ok we did everything right except for play well, and got the goal so technically i should be happy.
however, there was no movement, fluidity, good vision and and passing coming from all the players except for Anelka.
Gignac had no first touch whatsoever and Gourcuff trying to pull off the fancy things didnt work at all.
I truly expect to see Benzema in front at the stade de france.

Posted from  United States

I’m with the other Alex on this one. I thought France played very well. I was especially impressed with how they dominated Ireland after they scored the first goal. Even though Ireland began coming forward and attacking for, they could not get passed the French midfield/defense. Additionally, the French counter was at times superb.

I thought Benzema would have been better for this game, because I picture him flourishing a bit more in cagey environments than Gignac.

Additionally, I thought Anelka was a bit awkward in the midfield.

Other than those two minor points, I thought France were good, and will crush the Irish at home.

Posted from  United States

My opinion: First half was horrible. France improved in 2nd half. In 2nd half good thing was they maintained possession very well. They didn’t create enough chances though with all that possession. So next step, improve creativity. We will worry about finishing later!

The fundamental issue that I have with my Bleus, and I admit to being spoiled by my beloved Barca, is that nobody ever takes a pass in a position to do anything with it. Pass after pass is taken with the player facing away from, or perpindicular to the defense, which gives it time to re-set and do its thing.

I really didn’t think we looked like scoring against a very determined Ireland. Thank the heavens for own goals. And why, oh why, is Eric Abidal determined to kill me? What an appalling giveaway. Thank you, Lloris!

And Gignac …. I just don’t know what to say. Where did his first touch go? And how did he miss a wide-open net? Gourcuff was shit, as well. The only thing that saved us was that Ireland had no real interest in anything other than keeping us from scoring, and playing a rugby match. So I’ll take the 1-0, confident that we put the but in at St. Denis.

The new shirts rock the house, too.

That was a tough match. Ireland had their chances…so did France to make it 2-0! The return leg will be very interesting. Ireland will have to chase at least 1 goal. Les Bleus can look for a draw. Unfortunately I remember World Cup qualifier before the 1994 USA world cup, France needed 1 point from 2 home games against Israel and Bulgaria…and lost both…a team with the likes of Papin, Cantona and Ginola….90 more minutes to hold out for!

My thoughts on the game -
http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/11/france-v-irelandfirst-halffrance-1.html

The most important thing is to look good, as Billy Crystal once said “The new uniforms look MARVELOUS darlin’” I thought the team played very well
in the second half and deserved to win by a wider margin. Also as stated by most of you how in the hell Gignac missed the wide open net, at this level of the competition is astounding!!!!
The other point which shouldn’t be surprising is WHY OH WHY Domenech not substitute any of the players earlier and waited into extra time to bring on Malouda who’s been playing great for Chelsea recently. I would think that Trez. would have buried the missed opportunities.
Any time they took a run at the Irish defense with PACE they were quite effective, need more of those quick exchanges and having Titi rushing the defenders on the left side, as he showed his agility again.
Abidal is not a central defender [PERIOD].
ALEZ LES BLEUS

But we know the answer to all of those questions, Foreverzidane. It’s because Domenech is an idiot. The tightness of international play calls for a poacher such as Trezeguet. And I don’t want to forget that the HIT THE GODDAMNED CROSSBAR during the penalty phase, but still, the feud is unfathomable. Get over it, and get him in the side.

And did I miss something? Was Benzema injured? The important thing about Malouda is that he provides pace and width. As Benzema said, everyone winds up playing in the middle of the pitch and getting in each other’s way. Dumbenech should have a solution for that by now.

His insistence that Abidal can be a central defender staggers me. I love Abidal, and he is a wonder for us at Barca. But if Guardiola wanted to play him at the center, I would hop a jet to Barcelona and personally deliver videos of Les Bleus matches to him.

I have to find one of those long-sleeved shirts.

We are the single team in these barrages to have won in the enemy’s house. Obviously not the easiest opponent too.
Swallow your contempt for Domenech, be a little satisfied of the result.

Well put Doume. I’ll try. Anelka did not look awkward in midfield. He was all over the place and actually looked like he gave a damn for once. Didn’t give up the ball, held it up nicely, PLAYED DEFENSE,and created chances for himself as well as others. Gignac looked anxious and panicked most of the time. I agree that we needed a seasoned pro up front with Henry & Anelka. Trez would have been nice. The intensity is there and so is the ability but I will no longer dwell on this blatant oversight.Gourcuff was invisible. Is Abidal better than Mexes,Squilacci,Escude,…*cough Boumsong (I’m half kidding with this one)at centerback?????

I’m still loving Gignac for the goals he scored earlier. We were dying away to the Faroes, and he got the goal we needed. I like him in there. I like big Benz a lot too, but I feel like Gignac has more passion for the France team, and Benz is a great option to be able to bring on.

This result in no way changes the fact that Domenech needs to go. He has failed to build a team that is capable of fluid attacking play. In addition, his selection policy in defense is questionable at best. Let’s be honest, the goal Anelka scored was very lucky, and it can be argued that Ireland had the better chances in this game.

Here are some the things that struck me in this game.

1) Abidal should not be in central defense. He almost caused a goal by giving the ball away. His inclusion in the team is strictly due to Domenech wanting to accomodate Gallas, who prefers to play in the right CB spot. Gallas isn’t very fast anymore and needs a fast defender alongside him as he likes to get forward. It works at Arsenal because where he’s partnered by Vermaelen, but Abidal can’t cut it at that position. I feel Squillaci-Escudé could be a better pairing in the long run.

2) Why was Anelka in the midfield? He was decent enough, but if that’s how Domenech wants to use him, he might as well call up Flamini or even Benoit Cheyrou, who would do a much better job. Anelka should not be defending in the midfield because that’s not his strength.

3) Gignac did his best, but was too isolated in this game, and it was easy for Ireland to neutralize him by surrounding him with 2-3 players whenever he got the ball.

4) Gourcuff wasn’t very good. He ran around like a chicken with it’s head cut off but never created anything for the team.

We’ll see how they play in Paris, but to me Domenech can’t seem to make up his mind on how he wants to play.

Domenech should have made subs. Gourcuff was not terrible, but not great. He obviously was getting tired and should have been subbed after his assist. Gignac is great but his finish was not right for this match. Benz would have been able to calmly slot that ball into the open net. But even if this wouldve shouldve stuff, the next leg should be played with a slightly altered starting XI. Perhaps rest Gignac and put Benz in. Maybe even playing a 4-4-2 again, with Malouda or Govou.

Posted from  United States

I think Gignac needs a little seasoning before he comes anywhere close to reaching his potential. Anelka and Henry both have that calm presence that befuddles defenders — like cats playing with mice. Think think, think, think…then react quickly. I’m hoping Gignac will get there too; he’s still very young, and very new with the NT, and I love his passion.

Posted from  United States

french cheats french cheats french cheats hope they get what they deserve in Africa

Posted from  Ireland

Shame to French President.
Shame to FIFA
Shame to Thierry Henry
What is there being proud to reach the world cup final throuh cheats.
I like to see a replay to settle the issue.
I like to see a ban on Henry for the world cup.
I like to see Barcelona sack Henry.
FIFA don’t let the second mistake go on unpunished from the first infamous Maradonna hand again England.

Posted from  Singapore