An OK start

May 28th, 2006 | by: Chriso |

I didn’t get to see the game against Mexico last but the reaction seems to be mixed.

Raymond Domenech called it a ‘proper warmup match’ but said France suffered from a lapse in form in the second half and that he’ll ‘expect much more from my players in our next clash’, which is Wednesday night against Denmark in Lens.
The players weren’t happy with the booing of Fabien Barthez and Vikash Dhorasoo by the home crowd, Zidane telling French radio ‘this is scandalous to boo any player from the team’, and Domenech equally disappointed saying ‘We are speechless being faced with such an attitude and we have no explanation for it.’

You can probably understand Barthez copping it, he plays for Marseille and he’s keeping Coupet out of the team.

The squad found themselves on photo-op duty on today when French Premier Dominique de Villepin and Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour showed up at Clairefontaine to get some reflected glory.
Wonder if they’ll have another photocall if the team come home after the first round.

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sil27

I am not happy at all with the French performance of last Saturday. The only thing that comes out i sthat the defence is strong and very flexible. However, in the forefront very little occasions were created. It was always the same move…passing long balls to Cisse for him to cross in the middle. The only new positive note form me is that Frank Ribery is very skillful and can give the French team what they currently lack… more penetration and initiative to face opponents….
Akbar

I hate to be a pessimist but this World Cup is looking like the fall of Zizou. We know he’s retiring anyway, but I would have liked it to be in style. The wa Zizou has been playing recently somehow gives me the idea that he won’t be getting much applause this summer.
Neo

I think France played fairly well…At least in the first half, they totally controlled the game and Mexico could not play more than two proper passes before they lost the ball..Cisse is totally useless and I don’t know why he’s even in the team…he made some disastrous crosses that any professional player would be ashamed of..