What was that defending? Plus two nice goals to earn a point.

October 12th, 2008 | by: jeff |

A central defense of Eric Abidal and Jean-Alain Boumsong: what could go wrong?

The opening goal that France conceded to Romania was a disaster. France looked like trainees who had no idea what they were doing. They just watched while Romania scored.

The second Romania goal was a header from a corner, and France were again completely inept. There was no surprise – Romania wanted to play it to the tall guy, they did, he was unmarked, and scored.

I couldn’t have been any lower than I was after the first goal. It struck me as inevitable, and it would have been no surprise if Romania had gone on to win by 5. France looked so fragile at the back. It was sad.

Fortunately, that was about the last Romania saw of the ball, even though it was only 17 minutes into the game at that point.

I thought the formation looked like a 4-4-2, with Gourcuff playing right up front with Henry. France’s first goal was really nice: Toulalan out of midfield to Gourcuff up front, who played Ribery in with one touch; and Ribery finished like a seasoned striker.

What is the story with Gourcuff? He’s gone from a player who couldn’t get a game with his club, AC Milan, to a key player for his national team in a matter of weeks. All three of the players involved in the first goal (Toulalan, Gourcuff, and Ribery) were great against Romania, and I hope they’ll be automatic picks through the World Cup.

Because France has to qualify for the World Cup.

It is time to put the Domenech era behind us. The opening goal yesterday, in isolation, is sufficient reason to sack the manager. Coming in the midst of outrage that he hasn’t been sacked already, it should be enough to tip the scales.

I have a feeling Alain Boghossian might become the new manager. He’s in place as an assistant with the squad, and everything I’ve ever heard is that people love him. After one of the goals yesterday, the camera showed the players running over to the side to celebrate with him.

The second goal was a long time in coming. Domenech took off Malouda right after Ribery’s goal, and brought on big Benz. I think Thierry Henry played really well again, and France were creating possibilities. Benzema still doesn’t quite have his mojo back. The equalizer came from a long-range Gourcuff strike, skipping off the underside of the crossbar.

It felt like France might get a third, but it wasn’t to be.

The bright spots for me were Ribery, Gourcuff, Toulalan, and Henry.

Alou Diarra started, and he was ok, I thought. Expectations for him aren’t terribly high, and at international level, you might want a player who can bring a little more, but I thought he was ok.

Patrice Evra was part of the comedy crew that let in the first goal, but I think the central defense and the goalkeeper should have done something, and Evra got forward well when France were controlling the game.

Sagna played fairly well again. He defends well, and gets forward well, but after he gets forward, he has trouble finding a useful final ball. When he first broke into Arsenal, he was finding a good final ball from time to time, and we couldn’t believe our luck at suddenly having such a good right back. This season, like with France yesterday, his crosses have mostly come to nothing.

So mixed bags for Diarra, Sagna, Evra, Benzema, and Malouda.

Boumsong, Abidal, and Mandanda all had one to forget, especially Boumsong who looked painfully error-prone.

Mandanda is still a young keeper, and I like the look of him at times. When he does come off his line he takes the ball well, and his distribution is ok. Sometimes he stays back on his line while disaster in unfolding, but he could hope that his central defense would help out a bit.

That’s it for Domenech. Thank you for your service, sir. Some will say you outstayed your welcome, but in time that sentiment will fade, while the run in the 2006 World Cup will be remembered.

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http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I thought the formation looked like a 4-4-2, with Gourcuff playing right up front with Henry.

I have been puzzling over this for the last 24 hours. My problem with seeing this as a 4-4-2 with Henry and Gourcuff up front is that I can’t fit Benzema into my memory of this formation. Was he on the left as a straight swap for Malouda? If so, I don’t know that he was any improvement, because my memory is just not seeing him there. At all. And yet I have lovely happy memories of overlapping runs between Evra and Henry, which my conscious mind is now questioning.

I think this may be in the Setanta archive. If so I may have to watch the second half again, just to figure out the formation or it will drive me insane.
Jean-Michel

I got a chill up my spine after seeing that laser Gourcuff shot. I know its early…and he has some very big shoes to fill….but this kid is special. A few of us on here have already noticed and mentioned the Zidane-esque qualities he possesses. Does any one remember Zizou’s first goal with EDF (linked at the bottom)? I find both Gourcuff & Zizou’s goals strikingly similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACsts8WhCIY
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

Isn’t Abidal naturally a fullback? Seems playing in the center isn’t going well.

And anytime I see Boumsong playing CB for France, well, either France has a dearth of CBs or their coach is an idiot. I’m going with the latter on this one.
http://www.wickeddeflection.com jeff

Gourcuff up front with Henry, until Benzema came on. After that, it’s not as clear. Maybe a bit of a 4-2-3-1 with Henry left and Benz up front, but I’m not sure.

Jean-Michel – I’m right there with you on Gourcuff. His assist and his goal were great, although that Zidane goal was even better.
http://www.wickeddeflection.com jeff

I watched the first half again. When Malouda goes off, they go to a 4-4-2 with Ribery wide left, Gourcuff wide right, with Henry and Benzema up front.
http://www.wickeddeflection.com jeff

Then, in the 2nd half, they played the 4-2-3-1 with Henry left, Ribery behind Benzema, and Gourcuff right.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Jean-Michel, thank your for the video! C’est incroyable.

Not dissimilar to the Gourcuff goal at all. Except that Zizou shot with his left, no? Which makes the goal doubly incredible. Something for Gourcuff to shoot for, so to speak.

After the Serbia game, I was incredibly worried that Gourcuff had been a fluke, like Gomis in the Ecuador game. I’m crossing my fingers that this was not the case!!!
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Jeff, thanks. You’ve saved my sanity. That second half lineup fits with my memories.
Jean-Michel

Laurie,
The fluke factor was definitely running through my head. It’s probably one of the main reasons why I tuned in.
Alessio,
Not sure how Boumsong got the start over Squilaci or Mexes. I guess Domenech is not ready to forgive Mexes yet but seems to have a soft spot for Abidal. Is it really Clichy’s or Evra’s fault that they are just better on the left?
Jean-Michel

Jeff/Laurie,
I think you guys are right. Zidane’s was better and the left footed strike made it extra special. I just noticed that both him and Gourcuff both broke into the national team with the #14….
Michael

Excellent comments for this match.
WE hope Domenech will be removed from the national team very soon.
It is useless to ask current players about their coach or the national team. The coach is their boss & they can’t say anything againt it.
If one works for a company, one will not make comments against their workplace or they will have a hard time staying or will be nicely fired.
Jean Pierre

we are having a new keeper yay&boo his name is pelé, i thought it was a joke but its no joke. he is from Le Mans and now Lloris has to play under-21 and pelé is going to play with Equipe de France A. very nice goals from rumania with supertrio gourcuffriberytoulalan

we are going to get a fresh start with new coach (and an unknown keeper)
btw is it weird that many girls in ma class support france as well since there is gourcuff in da house
http://www.wickeddeflection.com jeff/433

JP – I’ve seen the same thing. When I’ve included Gourcuff’s name in the title of a post, I’ve been linked by fan sites that follow the pop culture of football. They were really excited about the jeans he wears.
Darshan

I really really like Gourcuff…I think he is the best thing to happen to france after ribery in WC06 but the way Zidane takes the ball past those two defenders in the link above is why he is GOD!! If there is one player who can make INTERNATIONAL players look like nothing less than IDIOTS!! Its Zidane…and that my friends is a LEGEND!!

On the goals…please lets get two new CB’s and Frey…I have heard so much about him that I just want him to get a chance…and there is no way it can get worst than wat mandana is already doing…We need strong physical replacements for Thuram and Gallas!!!

Btw did anyone notice Cisse’s last game…he did very well for himself…but only for himself…if only he were less selfish with the ball…
Jean Pierre

oh cool jef you also write a blog? lol al FanaticFranceFan peeps here write blogs

all of u gonna watch france tunisia tonight? and watch domenech getting kicked by FFF tomorrow
Jean Pierre

1-1 looooooooooool boumsong is being weird again