World Cup Playoff First Leg: Ireland 0, France 1

November 15th, 2009 | by: jeff |

France won the first leg of the World Cup playoff away to Ireland 1-0, but the tie is still up in the air.

France were the better team, but they weren’t firing on all cylinders, so they’ll now need to get a result in the second leg in Paris.

The formation didn’t always hold it’s shape, but it was something like this:

Gignac
Henry Gourcuff Anelka
A. Diarra L. Diarra
Evra Abidal Gallas Sagna
Lloris

The Bordeaux players, A. Diarra and Gourcuff, were both fairly quiet. Gourcuff definitely had a few promising touches, but for the most part he was crowded out of the match, and striker Nicolas Anelka took over the midfield playmaking duties.

Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra was heavily involved, but his involvement, especially early in the match, mostly involved failed pass attempts. At one point, I think he turned the ball over in four consecutive sequences.

Anelka is in a new phase of his career. He seems to be integral to England league leaders Chelsea, and overnight he’s become a roaming creator for club and country, instead of the forward trying to break the offside trap. I don’t quite know what’s going on with him and his position at the moment, but he was probably France’s best player against Ireland.

Barcelona’s Thierry Henry, France’s captain, is still one of France’s best players, but the 2003 Thierry Henry is a fading memory. I thought he was in good scoring positions a couple times against Ireland when he didn’t even try to score. Back when he was scoring 20 to 30 league goals per season, he could exploit little gaps to great effect, and score, assist, or draw a penalty. Now it looks like he doesn’t even try to take on players who he would have beaten easily a few years ago. Still, he’s good on the ball, was providing a good outlet wide left yesterday, and he looked dangerous at times.

Anelka got the goal during the second half. It took a wicked deflection off an Ireland player and sneaked inside the post. That opened the floodgates a bit, and it looked like Gignac might add one or two, but the other goals never came, and in the end, France were lucky to not to concede, so it’s a good result, if not quite representative of how much better France were.

No big complaints with the defense, and A. Diarra might have been quietly effective at helping with that effort. France, including Lloris, had to make a few stops, so overall, it was a great result to keep a clean sheet, and to get the away win. (Reading the comments from the previous post, I was reminded of an Abidal giveaway that could have been costly, but overall I’m not personally that worried by Abidal. He almost cost us a goal yesterday, and he’s had his share of clangers, but he’s also been gaining experience for France and Barcelona, and there’s no clear-cut case that someone else would be a better option.)

Any betting neutral would probably be comfortable putting money on France to advance to the World Cup in South Africa, but Ireland obviously still have a chance to progress with some good luck in Paris. I’d be very surprised if Ireland outplayed France, so I’m mostly worried about costly France mistakes in the second leg. And while my worries do tend to creep out first, especially when I’m writing, and trying to be measured in my France fandom, I do think that France will probably control the second leg, and get another victory.

We’ll know soon enough because the match is on Wednesday.

Tags: Euro 2008

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 43 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By Doumé | November 16th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

re: Anelka, all good comments. I still am amazed at how in a few years the guy reinvented himself and proved himself to be really team oriented and un-diva-like (Benzema, your turn).
Yes, he was a determinant force in the game, and -sorry it will sound heretic for some- I think it was good coaching. You could neutralize France by stuffing the box and also hampering any effort by the star midfielder of the moment, Platini, Zidane, Ribéry or in this case Gourcuff. By marking him closely, the Irish figured that much less balls would be fed to the forwards. So it was great to create a bypass solution with Nico to bring the game forward through somebody who doesn’t fit in that scheme and that, for a defender, you don’t expect to see there. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective, plus he had room to place a couple of long shots which…opened things up

By jeff | November 16th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

Doume – I don’t disagree. Because of Domenech having been so frustrating for so long, I sometimes suggest that he’s “stumbled” onto a decent system (the type of comment I realize you don’t always appreciate), but since he brought in Gourcuff, there hasn’t been a time that I remember being overly frustrated with him.

Steven – I tempted to shoot the messenger. I just checked my TV5 schedule, and your story checks out: there’s no mention of footy on Wednesday. Ugh.

It would be hard to avoid seeing the score until 5 p.m. the next day.

By princedesparcs | November 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am

Nice to see/read some of you back on the blog …

My deux centimes: It wasn’t perfection, but I’ll take a one-goal win in Dublin, with Gignac, Henry and Gourcuff playing way below what they’re capable of, any day.

Still, all ’round, a solid effort. Anelka worked hard, hounded and harassed, took the shot that mattered and had fun. Lass was mostly super and Lloris came a long way. I’d be surprised if we don’t see that trio at least approach that level, but I’d be speechless if at least two from among Henry, Gourcuff and APG/Benz don’t do better.

My wish for Wednesday: less dependence on the right side and Sagna’s crosses (which were not to this year’s standards at Arsenal), more work down the middle and fewer cute touches.

Anyone catch Gourcuff get into the post-game scrum? He had a crap game by standards, but he was face to face with some Irish mugs afterward. That could bode well for Wednesday. Which brings up keys: Poise and nifty passing. I respect and mostly like the Irish, but the boys in green will have to look to score from more than a set piece. If France play to their ability and fast, they could score more than one. They’re due, n’est ce pas?

Finally, I concur re Dom. He’s settled on personnel and tactics. I don’t see it that different than 97. Really, I don’t. In fact, doesn’t this front four comprise a more offensive set than what Jacquet put together, without the burden of having to qualify? I’m not saying this is a Cup-winning squad, I’m just sayin …

And it’s $20, but Setanta says it’s showing it live. I say take the day off, watch some foot and quaff a few Guinnesses, wherever you’re taking it in. Merde!

By Laurie | November 17th, 2009 at 12:29 am

Sandrahn, according to the ever-reliable Daily Mail, Diarra went up to Keith Andrews after the game and said, and I quote:

“F*** off, Irish p****. You are out.”

Guess he learned a lot more English at Chelsea than we thought?

(If he had to do something like that, I do wish he’d waited till after the second match. This feels like bad karma.)

Posted from United States

By Aditya | November 17th, 2009 at 2:07 am

If Diarra really did that he sucks!

It might also be possible that Keith Andrews said something to Diarra before or during the game which led Diarra to react like that. I say this because Diarra picked out Keith Andrews to say some words. He didn’t just randomly spoke to a player.

By Amanda | November 17th, 2009 at 7:25 am

Can you develop this, please?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL-FZLYFGXo

thanks

Posted from Portugal

By jeff | November 17th, 2009 at 8:19 am

With Setanta-i, I sometimes don’t quite know what to expect. I cannot miss work to see the match live, but it’s very nearly the same to me to watch on a tape delay of a few hours, and Setanta-i presents an option to “record” the match. I pressed that red button, but I have no idea, rather I’m doubtful, that I’ll be able to watch the match within a couple hours of it ending.

By jeff | November 17th, 2009 at 8:20 am

Also, I don’t know if I’m charged $19.99 for hitting the record button.

By sandrahn | November 17th, 2009 at 8:44 am

Laurie, skysports had a quote from Diarra denying he’d said anything insulting about the Irish or about anyone. His version is that the player he went up to (Andrews, I guess) had been winding him up throughout the game and that all he said was “1-0 to France.” He said that Dunn and nother player suddenly came over to him as if he’d said something terrible. He called the Irish players liars. Who knows what happened.

I have nothing against the Irish but I do get tired of the massive British/Irish chip-on-shoulder attitude when it comes to the French — every gesture, every word is twisted into a “smirk” or an insult, comments are mistranslated to mean something insulting. Some idiot journalist at the Times or Telegraph wrote a blatantly francophobic diatribe about the French attitude in Ireland based on nothing at all except his own personal prejudices. Far as I could tell the comments from the French players and Domenech before the match were all very respectful and wary about getting past the Irish to the wc.

Posted from United States

By Steven | November 17th, 2009 at 11:22 am

Everybody’s jumping on the Anelka bandwagon (including me) …

see here for example:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8364635.stm

… but I’m also reading that he may replace Gignac on Wednesday as lead striker with Govou replacing Anelka on the wing.

Posted from Canada

By jeff | November 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

I hope Gignac gets the start. Through my prism, and I only watched the match once, I didn’t notice Gignac having an especially off match in the first leg. He put the ball into touch that one time when it looked easier to score, but didn’t he also have the ball in the back of the net, with the goal disallowed for a narrow offside call?

Wasn’t Anelka able to have so much space because Gignac looked like a handful? That was my impression. I’ve read several places that his touch was a bit off, although that hadn’t registered with me, but it hardly seems like a case for being dropped when I thinks he’s been fantastic since breaking into the side.

Having Gignac in there is good for my morale, and I just don’t see dropping him for Govou as a good move, and I’d be surprised to see that happen unless Gignac is injured and there’s also a problem with Benzema.

Posted from United States

By Steven | November 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Yeah, a hustling Gignac seemed to have 2 bodies drapped over him through much of the match, so yeah, I think that’s a good observation about him maybe creating space for Anelka … but he also flubbed what looked to be a sure goal in the second half. He reminds me a little of a certain injurd Danish striker in the Premiership, who’s name, errr, escapes me for the moment …

That stuff I wrote above about Govou starting tomorrow should be filed in the “Reports from Paris” Irish journalist-rumour-category. You’re right, Benzema for Gignac, straight up, might make more sense, though I’m not sure Domenech has much reason to trust him ….

Posted from Canada

By jeff | November 17th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Ha!

Hmm? Bendtner and Gignac?

I think Big Nick does well for Denmark, and if he were in a relatively modest side like Toulouse, he’d probably score a heap of goals, so I can see the comparison.

That said, and I like Big Nick, but I rate Gignac more highly – rightly or wrongly. I might be projecting quality onto him that’s not really there, but I’m convinced the guy’s just a brute.

Posted from United States

By sandrahn | November 17th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

jeff, I like Nick too but I feel the way you do about Gignac, I expect more from him, tho I can’t put my finger on the reason as to why.

Posted from United States

By lefutur | November 17th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

you mean like this Sandrahn?

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/arrogant-french-have-already-booked-their-world-cup-hideaway-1945631.html

Posted from United States

By sandrahn | November 17th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

lefutur, that report is idiotic. If they really think that France is the only country not yet qualified to have booked a place in S. Africa in advance, they’re clueless. The article is just making hay of this francophobic obsession. Argentina chose their HQ in S. Africa a long time ago, way before they were qualified. So did Mexico, who were only qualified a couple of months ago.

Posted from United States

By Jean-François | November 17th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

arrogant french. at least we have some arrogance for once, and for a good reason.

By lefutur | November 17th, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Sandrahn, I know its so ridiculous. I’m sure its nuch easier to cancel one of those “hideaways” if the team doesnt qualify than it would be to find a decent place to stay if you wait until you qualify to make a reservation.

Posted from United States

By Benj | November 17th, 2009 at 5:19 pm

A few comments on the Anelka – Henry duo working from midfield during the game:

1) It was not good “coaching”. In fact it wasn’t coaching at all, as Anelka said that he and Henry decided during the game to come down to get the ball. Actually, this shows how little influence Dom has on the team. The senior players decide what to do and the others work around them.

2) In my opinion, it did not open things up that much. The goal was lucky, a half chance at best. It did help France keep possession, which was more important after the goal than before it.

3) It limited Gourcuff’s touches in midfield.

4) It forced Sagna to play as winger and gave Duff a lot more space on the counter.

5) He probably felt he had to do it because Lass and Alou can’t really create chances for others. Unfortunately, when you have nobody up top, there’s nobody to create chances for.

So in my opinion, it didn’t really solve anything. I’ve said this before, but they need more creativity in the center of midfield. They are going to have to be a lot better tomorrow. Lightning doesn’t strike twice.

Gignac was great by the way. He was isolated most of the game and worked his ass off. I hope he starts in Paris if he’s not too tired from the last game.

Posted from United States

By lefutur | November 17th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

^^ agree with all of this

Posted from United States

By GlancingHeader | November 17th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

I agree completely with Benj. Anelka’s playing deep may have helped in the match in Dublin but it is not the right system. It distorted the team’s shape: it squeezed Gourcuff out and left lots of space on the right for the opponent’s winger. It was only a remedy to compensate for the fact that Lass does not have the passing range out of defense. Something needs to be done there.

Posted from United States

By Foreverzidane | November 17th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

I’ve seen a number of you declaring the goal as LUCKY!
So then the glaring miss by Gignac should be labeled as UNLUCKY!
I just don’t get all this criticism of Anelka whom for a change seemed
quite interested and in tuned to the match. You wanted creativity? He did
cause quite the havoc with Henry on the Irish defense during the second
half! Which match were you guys watching? If it wasn’t for his leadership even that Goal that many of you are calling lucky (dismissing all the build up and technical superiority and domination in the second half) then it would have remained a scoreless draw. Which outcome would most prefer?

By princedesparcs | November 18th, 2009 at 12:11 am

The Anelka/Gourcuff argument is compelling, esp. given what happened Saturday, but why is Gourcuff more influential and France better able to hold shape when the Breton is paired with marauding Ribery? I just think that was a bad game for him, due at least in part to the Irish. The French need better and quicker touches than they got/had last week. And a resolute Lloris and center back pairing.

Curious, but somehow very cool, that all of it comes down to 90 minutes in Paris. But sn’et pas 4×20-quatorze and I just don’t see this squad losing this game.

By Jean-Michel | November 18th, 2009 at 7:03 am

I was a bit harsh on our side when I first commented. I remain optimistic about our chances today. Go ahead Domenech, be a bad ass and field the same squad. I support you. Go Team!

By Kxevin | November 18th, 2009 at 10:16 am

I even found a place selling the new France shirts, but they don’t have the long-sleeved version. There are two versions of the shirt: the regular one, for civilians who are probably not, shall we say, match fit, and the TechFit (available in a limited-edition short sleeve for $150USD), for those who are match fit, or have a very positive body image.

I’ve e-mailed my various vendors about availability of the long-sleeved version and they all say the same thing: Not bloody likely.

Now. Who the hell is streaming the match today? I can’t believe that TV5 isn’t going to show it, but they aren’t. I’ve checked ESPN360 as well, and they aren’t, either.

Posted from United States

Comments are closed