4-3-1-2 And An (Almost) Entirely Different Team

Ready for some change and excitement? Because Domenech actually decided to listen to Houllier for a change. Only TWO starters from Lyon before Saturday’s Coupe de la Ligue match between Bordeaux and Lyon — Coupet and Clerc. Clerc is officially the only titulaire who’s starting for Lyon on Saturday because Vercoutre will be playing in goal.

Domenech is also starting Mavuba from Bordeaux. But he’s NOT starting Gallas from Arsenal. OR Makelele from Chelsea. (Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently told Claude that he needed to decide between club and country because he couldn’t keep playing well for both at his age.) You don’t think Raymond’s actually started listening to the club managers, do you? (Watch out for flying pigs.)

And he’s going with 4-3-1-2, which as reader Patrick points out is the same as before World Cup.

I’m actually really liking this lineup. Why not try out promising potential players in a friendly? The only difference I wish I could see would be Benzema starting instead of Cissé. But he will sub him in at the half and give him his first cap, right?

Coupet - Clerc, Mexes, Thuram, Escudé - Diarra, Mavuba, Diaby - Nasri - Cissé, Anelka