European Club Cup – A great warmup for the European Cup of Nations

April 21st, 2008 | by: jeff |

People following football blogs aren’t the sort to let the questionable naming of major competitions be an obstacle to their enjoyment, but it just might help increase interest among Americans if the European Club Cub wasn’t oddly named the Champions League, and if the Euros had a name a bit closer to the “World Cup.”

But while the naming of the tournaments is a bit of a mess, the product on the pitch has been good quality. The buzz from the Liverpool-Arsenal second leg is only just starting to dissipate, and the first leg of Liverpool-Chelsea is tomorrow. Barcelona host Manchester United Wednesday.

Who among the French players will be making the cut and earning starting berths in these semi-finals? Henry might not be able to play. What about Thuram and Abidal? Abidal has been critical of his own form, and evidently put in a request to be benched.

If Patrice Evra turns in yet another good performance for Manchester United, and Abidal doesn’t make it off the bench for Barcelona, would that have any bearing on their chances for France this summer? I can’t discuss French leftbacks without a mention of Gael Clichy, a fantastic player who’s a joy to watch; winning the ball and bombing forward, but Evra, at this point, has surely earned a chance to play for France.

Will Makalele be first choice for Chelsea? His chances are better than Malouda’s. Will Anelka figure for Chelsea? Everything is aligned for Nico to score the goals to secure a couple European cups.

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Luc

Have to agree with the observation that the left-back position is a really really difficult one to choose for this summer. Actually, the choice is almost harder then what is going to be happening up front with the strikers. I personally adore Abidal and think that despite his recent form his experience and athleticism will come in handy at the Euro (does anybody remember him saying before the WC game against Spain: “we have Zidane, they don’t”).

But the truth is that both Clichy and Evra are playing incredibly well. I saw some Evra dribbling videos recently and was astonished that he can dribble so incredibly well in addition to his defensive skills.
Un choix incroyablement difficile pour le poste d’arriere gauche!
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

If only we had this embarrassment of riches at rightback.
http://ghana.worldcupblog.org Inara

Abidal and Malouda will play barring any injuries. They’re Domenech’s “guys” and are therefore unbenchable. Anelka’s situation is a little more unclear just because Benzema is so brilliant. Still, I think it’ll be an Anelka-Henry start.
Jan

G’day Jeff, Jan here of the Dutch blog…

I was wondering – pretty off topic I know – how you managed to add more categories to the blog? I only have WC2006 and Group C (of last WC).

I can’t really find it in the edit-suite… Thanks for your help!
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Hey, Jan. I’ll email you with directions.