France’s Game: Possession Football

June 15th, 2010 | by: jeff |

I have an officemate who’s taking a stab at the following the world cup, and he’s far enough along that today I found myself explaining France’s approach: Possession Football.

I don’t know how well the statistics bear this out, but it’s what I see when I watch France play. They keep the ball and control matches. Against the Faroe Islands. Against Brazil. That’s the way it’s been since I married into France 12 years ago, and presumably before that.

This leaves them vulnerable to counter-attacks, but it’s a risk they seem happy to take for the potential advantages of dictating play.

A consequence can be 10 defenders in the box, and a chess match. I find it riveting, although I’m told it’s an acquired taste. (The matches do open up after a goal, if there ever is one.)

Before I started this post, I was hopping around news sites, and found a quote from Domenech that supports my musings from earlier today. Speaking about Mexico ahead of Thursday’s match:

“They’re an excellent side who can give any team a hard time. I watched them against Italy and I was impressed. You must make sure they don’t get too much possession, otherwise you’re in trouble.”

Aha! Just as I said. Doms, like anyone from Clairefontaine, I suspect, has possession on the brain.

In other France news, Malouda confirmed the rumors of his aggression in training prior to the Uruguay match, but denied complaining about tactics. Speaking about Domenech he said:

“Honestly, we did not have a row. On the eve of the Uruguay match I committed two fouls during the training session, he raised his voice, he believed I was being overly aggressive. But there was no shouting match, we moved on to other things, and I am trying to be ready for the next game. I never asked for anything, I am surprised at what came out in the press. I have always accepted to play in whatever position has been allocated to me. I have never refused, you can ask the coach. There has been no discussion, it is above all about recuperating at the moment. Nothing has been defined, the coach has not yet made his choices.”

Malouda on the Uruguay match:

“I did expect to start and was surprised not to but it’s no drama. I’ll accept whatever the coach decides. He’s the boss.”

And from Patrick Vignal: Diaby is “expected” to start and Malouda “should” start. The first time I read the article, I definitely interpreted it as a prediction that they would both start, but when I re-read it, I detected that maybe Patrick was just being sly, and giving Doms some advice.

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Bugs

We accept the counter-attacks because because the defence is impenetrable.
As for Domenech's comment about Mexico, it is only natural for a member of a national entreprise to commend its opponent heading into a confrontation.
Malouda wasn't being “overly aggressive'; he was “showing character”.
And concerning the nil with Uruguay, we have to remember these aren't a bunch of turnips fell off a truck, this is Team Uruguay, champions themselves. They deserve Respect. A nil, though unsatisfying, is not a setback. Not for Team France.
Mexico though?
You goin down…ese.
Yo.
Jeff

“…the defence is impenetrable” – I could have gone into more, but that's the idea, that the defense should be so good that they can recover. It means they need to be fast, or be like Laurent Blanc and have perfectly-timed slide tackles.
Alex

Jeff, what do you think about the argument that France isn't able to create anything with its possession? Additionally, although France is able to hold possession against teams such as Uruguay and Faroes, in the Spain, Argentina, and even Ireland matches, they were not nearly as impressive I thought. Their passing has gotten a bit rusty I think, whereas four years ago, they appeared to have pinpoint accuracy. I would also claim that France used to be a quicker team.
Jeff

I think that argument obviously has merit when France end a match goalless, and the approach can be questioned anytime they don't win, but what I don't like is seeing two teams both trying to play counter-attacking football, where neither team tries to force its will on the match, and they both sit back. I admire a team that tries to play in the opposition half, and keeps trying for a breakthrough, even with 9 or 10 players. I think Spain are using the same approach, and with Xavi and Iniesta they have experts, but they can get caught out too, as they did in the semi-final last summer.

When it's not working, I think a personnel change is the answer, rather than a change in style – especially if one or two players in the attack appear to be non-contributors.

About France's current crop, I'm still distracted by how good they are on paper, and I have to believe that they're going to get some good results in this tournament.