France

Penalty? Red? Or Major Dive? Watch the Video

Not up for more detailed analysis, but I wanted to get the video posted. Lloris’ red is at about the 20-ish second mark. Especially watch the reverse-angle. Then tell us what you think.
Update: If you’re not certain, stop by the FFF site and watch the video with multiple slo-mo replays from many ... [read]

Serbia-France: Leave Streams and Comments Here

C’mon, Romania!!! Oh, and France, too.
If we can get a win today at Serbia, our fate is still in our own hands. Our guys can do that. Right?
According to Raymond when asked about the starting XI, « Tout est possible », but l’Equipe is expecting Domenech to go for continuity. Here’s L’Equipe’s ... [read]

Henry-Doms Bust-Up

When it makes the Guardian, it has some legs to it, and the story is that Henry and Doms had a bust-up.
Following the match that ended in a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France versus Romania, Henry reportedly charged Domenech with a lack of style. Henry reportedly stated that the players were uninspired by training sessions, and added, ... [read]

France cancel out their opener with an own goal, Dropping 2 points in World Cup Qualifier at the Stade De France versus Romania

France’s lineup was something like this:
Gignac
Henry Gourcuff Anelka
Toulalan Diarra
Evra Escude Gallas Sagna
Lloris
With Henry and Anelka, it was a bit like a 4-2-1-3, but it was essentially the France formation (4-2-3-1).
And although it looks to me like Domenech is picking just about the right players, the team play is lacking fluidity.
To some extent, ... [read]

France-Romania: Leave Streams and Comments Here (and Ribery and Lloris are doubtful)

So apparently Abou Diaby collided with Hugo Lloris in training, causing injury. Now Lloris is “something of a doubt” for the Romania game. This would leave l’OM’s Steve Mandanda as the keeper for the day. What do you think?
And not only that, but Franck Ribéry is also doubtful, having not quite recovered from tendinitis. ... [read]

New List. Same As The Old List

New! Shocking! Amazing! Unusual!
Except not really.
Clichy and Diaby are back from injury. Vieira is not called up. Remy merited a recall. Other than that…
No new players on the list for the WC qualifiers against Romania and Serbia. Domenech is obviously assuming that the old guard can get the new job done. What ... [read]

Faroe Islands 0, France 1

What can you say about a match like that?
France kept a clean sheet.
Gignac scored a nice goal.
France controlled the match and created a lot of chances, but by conceding free kicks, they also gave Faroe Islands chances to score, and it could have been a disaster.
But it wasn’t.
I remember the last match in the Faroe Islands vividly, and it’s ... [read]

Henry Out Injured

Thierry Henry won’t play when France meet the Faroe Islands in a couple days, because, according to Barcelona, he has pain in both Achilles tendons.
Henry is still one of France’s best players, but given that he’s likely to be missing more games in the future due to injury at this stage in his career, it would be timely for another ... [read]

France’s Squad List for World Cup Qualifier against Faroe Islands on Wednesday, August 12th

Vieira didn’t make the squad. Domenech said he needs games to get back into the team. Here’s who did make it:
Goalkeepers
Hugo Lloris (Lyon)
Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)

Defenders
Eric Abidal (Barcelona/ESP)
Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP)
Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG)
Rod Fanni (Rennes)
William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG)
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG)
Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla/ESP)
Midfielders
Alou Diarra (Bordeaux)
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP)
Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG)
Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse)
Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Franck ... [read]