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France 2-2 Morocco

November 16th, 2007 | By: Laurie | 23 Comments »

Lord, what a frustrating game. Watching it was like driving a Porsche that’s in desperate need of a tuneup. You know what it CAN do, but making it do it is another story.

We should have expected this, though. Domenech fielded a relatively young and inexperienced team that hasn’t played much together. And Morocco played their guts out. In truth, I was happy to get the draw. Well, okay, not happy. But I wouldn’t have been surprised to lose, so a draw was good.

Here was the starting lineup:

———Landreau
Clerc – Gallas – Thuram – Evra
—–Diarra – Makelele
—-Govou – Nasri – Rothen
——–Benzema

I was watching on Sopcast and the video quality wasn’t good, so I’m not 100% sure who did what. Here are a few thoughts, though:

– What is it about Paris? If I had a team like this playing in my back yard, I’d pay huge sums and eat worms to be at every game. But both Scotland and Morocco felt like away games, with the away supporters much more vocal and possibly even more numerous. I could tell when something was going right for France because the booing and whistling would begin. I don’t get it. I think the team needs to play its home games in other venues in France.

– And Morocco played like the home team, 100% and all out the entire game. They should be proud of this game.

– The first goal was 100% a Mikael Landreau error. He batted the ball away to a Moroccan, and Patrice Evra didn’t have him covered. I was surprised that Frey didn’t get to play second half. Anybody else counting the seconds till Gregory Coupet is back? (I missed the second Morocco goal and couldn’t tell you who was responsible for that one.)

– Jerome Rothen didn’t have a great game. If I had a dime for every time he was dispossessed, I’d be down at Starbucks buying a latte right now. Venti. AND a scone. It was that bad. (Hey, I’m from Seattle. All of life is a Starbucks metaphor.) He did have a couple of dangerous free kicks, though, so I’m not ready to write him off just yet. Everybody has bad days.

– Our defense kind of sucked, to the point where I’d find myself shrieking at my screen, “WHY is that guy not marked?!” I couldn’t see well enough to pinpoint the problem, but the holding midfielders weren’t helping. And I’m not sure Francois Clerc and Patrice Evra together provide enough defensive cover. They’re both pretty good at getting up the field, but that leaves just Lilian Thuram and William Gallas and/or Eric Abidal and Sebastien Squillaci in back, and that’s not enough.

– Reader Jean Michel made a joke in the comments yesterday about the mystical healing powers of Clairefontaine: They go in injured and magically come out ready to play. It must be the case, because Raymond subbed in both Jeremy Toulalan (all of second half) and Nicolas Anelka (60-ish minute). They both seemed to be playing at about 70%, in my opinion, and I wasn’t all that happy to see them out there. And it’s a sad day when a DM at 70% is the best we can do.

– I think Hatem Ben Arfa will eventually be better than Florent Malouda, but he’s not there yet. He still gives the ball away too easily, especially when the defenders get up close and personal. He makes up for it with ball-handling skills and an ability to see the field, but for now, when Malouda is uninjured he should start.

– I’m not sure Samir Nasri is fully recovered from that virus. He looked tired and a little off today. But even tired and off, he’s a huge threat. He had a hand in the first goal and scored the second.

– Karim Benzema also didn’t have his best day. Of course, it would have helped if Morocco hadn’t put five defenders on him each time he touched the ball.

– Speaking of that first goal, who is this person and what has he done with Sidney Govou? Govou is playing out of his mind this year. That first goal was pure class.

Think positive thoughts for Ukraine. I do think having Franck Ribery on the field will make a huge difference. And couldn’t he theoretically play on the left wing? He’s done it before if I remember correctly. If Malouda’s still injured, I think I’d much prefer to see Ribery there, even though he’s a right footer.

(And after this game, the Scotland-Italy game has suddenly taken on much greater importance.)

Tags: Abidal, Ben Arfa, Benzema, Clerc, Coupet, Evra, France, Frey, Friendlies, Gallas, Govou, Landreau, Malouda, Morocco, Nasri, Player News, Ribery, Rothen, Squillaci, Team News, Thuram

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Comments

By Inara | November 16th, 2007 at 8:49 pm

It was a tough match, but I think France can take more from this game than if they had won 5-0. They played against a spirited opponent in a (sadly) hostile atmosphere, all the while trying to gel a new team and new tactics together. It forced France out of their comfort zone and made them come face to face with their deficiencies. If our defenses hadn’t been breached not once but twice (when was the last time a team put two goals past us?), we would be deluded about our capabilities.

Morocco took more out of us than even Scotland, since against the Scots it was an offensive problem whereas Morocco played real football against us and made us realize that hey, maybe defense isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Posted from United States

By Massaer | November 16th, 2007 at 9:33 pm

Benzema played the worst game of his season so I’m not worried.
What worries me was Thuram. What a horrible game.
At least he’s no Desailly, he knows Chamakh kinda humiliated him and will give us a better game wednesday. Phillippe Mexes should have been on that pitch.
Somebody could please explain to me why Domenech wants to play Abidal center?
Govou decided to leave Lyon in my opinion. The last time he did he played like Zidane for five months but the best offer he had was from Villareal(it was not the Villareal of 2005 season yet). Or I guess he’s sick and tired of being called Heineken and got into a healthy relationship with a nice girl and sleeps home now.
Aside from that, let’s just hope the italians win tomorrow because this team would have lost in Ukraine.

By Jean-Michel | November 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pm

A scary game… The Moroccan side was a spirited one. Right on to the comments so far. Thankfully the next game is not in Paris (the strike must be getting to them) but yeah..i’d like to see better ball handling and ACCURATE crosses. Toulalan had no business on the pitch but hey..whatever Domenech..Nice to see Nasri get his second goal and yes Govou..*cough..I never doubted you…*cough. The second Moroccan goal was a defensive lapse by uh …everyone. Not sure what Evra & Clerc are doing so far up but they are neglecting their defensive responsibilities. Guess they thought Morocco would not attack as much as they did. No one in this Euro campaign has had France on its heals like this defensively. I sadly say go Italy because France has a few questions it needs to answer before Wednesday.

Posted from United States

By Massaer | November 17th, 2007 at 8:49 am

I know you guys are in the states but today’s headline of L’Equipe was “FORZA ITALIA”. It was so funny

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 11:03 am

I think today we’re all Italians at heart. We’re just not admitting it.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 11:05 am

And that was my favorite part of being in Paris: Getting up each morning and running down to the little tabac on the corner and getting that day’s l’Equipe. It was during the Rugby World Cup and around the time of the Italy and Scotland games, so there was always something interesting to read.

Posted from United States

By glatisant | November 17th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

I think today we’re all Italians at heart. We’re just not admitting it.
Not me.
Though the l’Equipe headline is rather amusing–they seem to come up with really memorable ones, there are several I can remember off the top of my head…

Posted from United States

By Inara | November 17th, 2007 at 1:36 pm

I can’t decide if I want Scotland or Italy to win. I think France can get a draw in Ukraine, so I’m not worried about today’s result. If Scotland beats Italy, then they deserve to go through (though I HATE the way they play). Italy could use a break from the Euros to take a look at their calcio issues. It’s hard to take Italian football seriously these days.

Posted from United States

By glatisant | November 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pm

I think France can get a draw in Ukraine, so I’m not worried about today’s result.
Yes. To be honest, I’d rather France have gone into the final qualifying match with something to win, rather than to play yet another friendly. Not that I’m complaining that we’re qualified, but pressure on that level isn’t necessarily bad for our kids. Anyway, it’s a moot point now. Congrats to our bleus.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 2:49 pm

Glatisant, that’s so true. Wednesday feels like such an anti-climax now. I’m going to have a hard time getting worked up for it, and I’m guessing the players are too.

The one good thing is that hopefully Raymond will rest the injured players now.

Posted from United States

By Hamza | November 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm

I just don’t get it guys. Was France expected/supposed to trash the Moroccan side? The Moroccan team gave out a much much better showtime football [ remember the lakers of the 80s ?! ]. It was a classic African vs. dull tactical european play book though most if not all the Moroccan players play in Europe, except for the weak goal keeper.

The French sides supposed to win gets tiring. They were supposed to win the world cup, then the Rugby world cup, etc.

I am starting to call it the ‘almost winner’ team.

I frankly hated the hissing and booing of the French national anthem. What a sorry shameful act.

I think may Frenchies did not make it to the stadium because of the public transport strike: I doubt it discouraged the Moroccan fans.

Posted from Switzerland

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 8:10 pm

I think may Frenchies did not make it to the stadium because of the public transport strike: I doubt it discouraged the Moroccan fans.

I guess that was my point. If I lived close enough, a transit strike wouldn’t deter me. Why did it deter the France supporters but not the Morocco supporters? I don’t get it.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

I just don’t get it guys. Was France expected/supposed to trash the Moroccan side?

Based on past performance, yes. Maybe not “trash,” but France was definitely expected to beat them. France is ranked #4 in the world, Morocco #42. Those numbers have a statistical basis, and, in general, higher-rated teams tend to beat lower-rated teams.

The fact that this didn’t happen says that perhaps Morocco is underrated, or perhaps France is overrated, or perhaps it was just one of those fluky games where Morocco played well above their standing and/or France played below theirs.

I thought Morocco played an outstanding, exciting game and a draw was a just result. I also thought they did a good job of exposing the weaknesses France will need to work on if they’re to get anywhere in next year’s Euros.

Posted from United States

By Massaer | November 17th, 2007 at 9:02 pm

Jusst to give you guys a heads up. Don’t forget the many Tunisians, Algerians, Morrocans, north africans and africans that wanted to see the game. We’re in paris after all and that’s all we have as immigrants. Us africans. So it made sense that more morrocans would be at the stadium. Like when Algeria and France played together (On that game though the anthemn was also booed and the stadium invaded).
What’s tragic is that the people who were booing the national anthemn only feel “not french” when their parent’s country come here. I know I was 100% senegal when we played France in 2002 and the rest of the time i’m 100% french. Not that I would boo the National Anthemn but I understand. It was dumb but I get it.

Posted from France

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 9:14 pm

Massaer, I hear what you’re saying, but why isn’t there this passion for the France team in Paris as well? Or is it there but just much quieter?

Understand that I’m not criticizing. (How could an American criticize European support, which is a million times what we have here? My city isn’t even showing the national MLS championship on TV.) I’m just trying to understand.

Posted from United States

By Massaer | November 17th, 2007 at 10:02 pm

The thing is Parisians like myself still have a hard time considering Saint-Denis as Paris. Plus the national team showings hae been bismal lately and the tickets are incredibly expensive. Having myself gone to many, MANY games, I just won’t go anymore. Fuck it. Argentina was humiliatiing enough.
Now the rest of the peoplen I wouldn’t know. A lot of the tickets go on sale pretty late because they ares old to corporations first. Those give them as gifts to their clients and employees, kinda like the superbowl, so you have a lot of shitty non-supporters that don’t know the workings of a game.
Then the fédération in france is known not to be professional when it comes to distrinuting properly the tickets. Something is obviously wrong with the whole system.

My offical stance is :”I’d rather be at home enjoying a pizza and catching up with a lot of people unitl the wee hours of the morning than go to Saint Denis and freeze my ass off to see Domenech gamble and put seven defensive minded players against Andorra”

Posted from France

By Laurie | November 17th, 2007 at 10:30 pm

Ah. I’m getting it now. The “it’s the bureaucracy” argument I understand.

Posted from United States

By glatisant | November 17th, 2007 at 10:39 pm

The French sides supposed to win gets tiring. They were supposed to win the world cup, then the Rugby world cup, etc.
? IIRC there was very little hype surrounding the French team as they entered the World Cup finals last year, not surprising considering the disappointments of the past two major tournaments, and the uninspiring form of the side during qualifying.
As the tournament progressed, yes, people started jumping on the bandwagon, but that stemmed from the quality of opponents they faced in succession and the level of play they displayed in those matches, which caught pretty much everyone by surprise. It wasn’t so much that people thought they “were supposed to” win, as they wanted the win for the drama and the storybook ending.

I don’t follow rugby, and I don’t live in France, so I can’t say what the attitude was like then. But considering that France was the host nation, and that it had won the Six Nations championship earlier that year, I would say some level of hype is understandable.

I mean, look at the British press and the level of hysteria there (both positive and negative) every time a major football championship rolls around, and the French press starts to look sane and judicious in comparison.

I frankly hated the hissing and booing of the French national anthem. What a sorry shameful act.
It could have been worse. I suppose we should be glad that there were no pitch invasions or death threats, as Massaer referenced.

We’re in paris after all and that’s all we have as immigrants. Us africans.
As a minority living in the U.S., I can relate to that. I suspect that the national team has much more symbolic resonance for the Morocco supporters, and is tied up more closely with issues like identity and representation. For France, it’s more likely to be just another football match.

Also remember that in traditional French culture sports is held in lesser importance than in places like the UK or US or Australia, not so much a part of the national psyche, regarded as a way through which the culture expresses and views itself. Aimé Jacquet has said that it took the 1998 Cup win to change things around (and then the losses of 02 and 04 turned folks back into fair-weather fans…).

The booing and whistling still hurt, though.

Posted from United States

By Jean-Michel | November 17th, 2007 at 10:46 pm

tru@ “fuck it”, “domenech”, and “gamble” being in the same post by Massaer.

Posted from United States

By Thierry | November 17th, 2007 at 10:53 pm

I m afraid it wasn’t a question of passion but a question of fear. I could be wrong but i think France fans didn’t wanted to be agressed. Saint Denis is a craddle for immigrants. Most of the french/morrocans fans probaly came from here. The memory of riots is still in the mind, and more and more the maghreb immigrants are seen like a dangerous population, with the work of Le Pen, Sarkozy, and alarmist medias, but with the help of certains of them(near like 2 millions of agressions listed last year.(that mean far more). Labourious class=dangerous class was a 19 th slogan but it reappear nowadays.
Moreover, most of the french/morrocans had announced that they will boo France anthem, and they are some fans team who announced that so they wanted to boycott this match, frightened it will happen like France Algeria.
Plus in France football is a sport of mass, a popular sport, but an expensive sport too.
With the cold, and true the fact parisians had probably among the biggest choice of the world to enjoy themselves, may be it could explain this kind of aberration.
Finally i’m pretty sure, the french players didn’t give all they have in order to avoid pitch invasion like with Algeria (6-0). When France lead 2-1 we didn’t see it on TV but they had some pitch invasions quickly controlled.
Each time France play a against former you have the feeling they play “with” a former colony. I think there is the goal to not to humiliate it, a culpability feeling here. The only time France played without any reserve(6-0) against Algeria, first i was surprised, plus i thought it was because Zidane (algerian origin) just wanted to enjoy and didn’t wanted to enter in this kind of consideration. The result was catastrophic: in fact each time France played a former colony the score should be approved by his immigrants, be a diplomatic score, or the ” odious France colonisator” reappear, there are stil guys who say Togo let France won in 2006, afterall.

By Laurie | November 18th, 2007 at 11:30 am

I know I was 100% senegal when we played France in 2002 and the rest of the time i’m 100% french.

Massaer, you’re talking to a woman who devotes a whole bunch of time to writing about the football team from the country of a great-grandmother she never met, so I kinda get this.