Updates for France: Injuries, New Call-ups and Banned Substances

October 9th, 2008 | by: Laurie |

All righty, a few changes since the last post. (Thanks to everybody who’s been keeping our readers up to date in the comments!)

First, Lasssana Diarra is forfait with a left knee inflammation. He hasn’t yet been replaced. There was talk about bringing in Mathieu Flamini, but Flamini himself is not at 100%, so for now Raymond isn’t bringing in anybody. Who does this leave us as defensive-ish central midfielders? Jérémy Toulalan, Alou Diarra and Patrick Vieira. Why am I not reassured?

Worse yet, there’s something going on with Vieira — about a possibly illegal substance?

Le Parisien confirmed Wednesday that Vieira had suggested to the staffof les Bleus that they prescribe him a product forbidden to be sold in France, but which isn’t on the list of banned products for the anti-doping agency. (AMA) The staff refused.

Huh…what?

Although Vieira denies everything and he is NOT happy with le Parisien for publishing this. According to SkySports, the substance is Actovegin, which is available in Italy. He says it was considered for his treatment over the summer, but in the end he decided to let nature take its course. He told l’Equipe:

“I’m upset. This is not how I have managed 15 years of my career. I asked about several options for treatment. I received proposals from each and I judged which one would help me heal quickest. I never took anything.”

I’ll provide more details if I find them.

William Gallas is also now out with an injury. He’s been replaced by Jean-Alain Boumsong. And yet again I am fighting the urge to shriek into my pillow, “For the love of God, is this the best we can do?!?!” On central defense, we now have Eric Abidal, Philippe Mexes, Sébastien Squillaci, and Boumsong. Yikes.

Romania has proven that they’re a very defensive team, but they can be lethal on the counter. Hate to say it, but I just don’t trust this group.

Jimmy Briand has also been called in, but for offensive backup. Hatem ben Arfa is iffy and Nicolas Anelka has been having muscle spasms. Not 100% sure what ben Arfa’s issue is, but I know he’s had ongoing problems with his groin (I am being mature here — tell me you’re impressed), and a recent article also mentioned inflammation in his right knee. Raymond has said he’s sure that Anelka will be good to go on Saturday, but he hasn’t been training with the team.

Also, what’s up with Karim Benzema? He missed at least one day of training this week, but I’m not finding any explanation. More later if I find it.

Anybody else feeling nervous?

The good news, again, is that Ribéry’s back. That has to count for something. Right?

Also, if you’re in the US and looking for the game, it will be on TV5Monde. I’ll look for streaming options and let you know.

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John

It would be nice if the astrologer would fill-in some of these vacant spots and give some deserving players a call-up. No repalacement for L. Diarra? Only one replacement(Jimmy Briand) for two offensive players out(Anelka and Ben Arfa)? And I’m a Lyon fan, but Boumsong? The guy’s played one ligue game and one CL game the whole season, in which he began to show shades of his Newcastle days.
John

I would rather have seen Loic Remy called-up instead of Briand.
http://olivierdems.blogspot.com/ Michel-Olivier

boumsong over bodmer, this is madness.
Jean-Michel

Actually it’s typical…
http://bordeaux.theoffside.com Jennifer

I second John’s comment. Maybe Karim is busy playing games with Parker.
lefutur

how classic would it be to have boumsong on the field as a symbol for domenech’s last match in charge of Les Bleus?
Eric Escander

This is not looking good. His replacement choices are terrible. Why not give Jeremy Menez a chance at playing? I wouldn’t know who to put at central defense but I know I wouldn’t choose Boumsong. If we can pull off a win despite all this thats a good sign. Only problem would be that Domenech will be able to continue his horrible coaching strategies. A lot youth being wasted in my opinion.
Jean Pierre

I join the nervous-people club
this is very eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek &$*#()$&(@41 this is like a girlish soap not sport anymore always broblems going on

what a weird choices of domenech, thank godddddddddd ribéry is playing
if the defense was more defensive and strong, we could have lived with 1 less attacking midfielder and put in 3 attacking midfielders (if u play 4-4-2) and I think gourcuff really should play
sandrahn

Boumsong! I’d rather have an out of form Gallas, ffs! I think it’s GolTV or Setanta that’s showing the game delayed on Saturday. Everything’s so messed up, you don’t know if you want them to win or lose. Lose and Domenech stays. Win and France struggle to qualify. Ugh.
sandrahn

“Lose and Domenech stays. Win and France struggle to qualify” — Uh, obviously I meant the reverse of that! Win and Domenech stays, lose and France struggly to qualify. I need more coffee this morning.
John

I wonder if we’ll see a Mexes-Abidal pairing?
metamoralia

Any bets it’ll be Boumsong over Mexes?

… plus some other surprises.

Here’s the “proable” starters according to L’équipe : Mandanda – Sagna, Boumsong, Abidal, Evra – Vieira, Toulalan – Ribéry, Gourcuff, Malouda – Henry.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20081010_114417_avec-boumsong-et-malouda_Dev.html
lefutur

I’m predicting a tie…which wouldn’t be the end of the world for France but which would send Ray Ray packing.

Is he seriously considering starting Boumsong in central defence? He’s looked terrible this season and has hardly played at all. He must have a death wish.
metamoralia

Aren’t Domenech and Mexes supposed to have some kind of bad blood between them?

That plus the Austria game …

… could be Ray doesn’t trust Mexes to be in any position to decide his future as head coach of the NT.
John

Ray Ray will go down with some of his favorites maning the ship. Too bad L. Diarra will be out for the sinking.
Aditya

Didn’t RD say he will resign if France don’t get 5 points in first 3 games. Let’s hope on an optimistic note that he does that after France draws Romania.
Jean-Michel

allez?