French Friendlies: Recap

June 4th, 2010 | by: Jean-François |

After an upsetting loss to China I was without words. I knew that our team had come far in the past few weeks but it was really hard to see past the scoreline. After a few hours of reflecting, I believe that we can turn everything around.

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One would assume that it would take a number of errors for the French to lose to such a weak side. However, there really aren’t that many problems. The first one, of course, is Domenech, but I would rather not go into much detail. Domenech does well at pointing out the problems in his side, but does little to fix it. He has rewarded players who play badly on the pitch.

Our main issue is finishing, France are doing a superb job of keeping possession, and eliminating most counter-attacks, especially today against China. I think China had two scoring opportunities all night. I’ve read numerous articles that critique the 4-3-3 formation, saying that our problem lies in the front, on the Center and Right sides. I agree with this, Anelka and Govou have not been the best tonight (or all week), and should not start next Friday.

Something did catch my attention however, it seemed like after each team scored France really bounced back and put on the pressure, so the desire is definitely there. Gallas tries so hard every game, it’s just too bad he is so fragile, he could have (should have) had two goals today against China.

Valbuena played in two of the three matches, and really proved his worth. He has been the biggest highlight of the past two weeks. I’ve also learned that Gallas isn’t the only possibility for center defense. Planus and Squallaci had very good games, and for once our problems don’t lie solely with the central defense. I think Toulalan works better alone as the sole Defensive Midfielder. When we had two it was a really big waste and we could not possess the the ball and create opportunities like we can with the 4-3-3.

Thierry Henry had a pretty good match against China. I think either he or Dijibril Cisse should start above Anelka in the striker position, because both have proved that they can stay in the front and wreak hell on goalkeepers. As for the right side, Domenech should start Valbuena against Uruguay and see how things go, he does a very good job of keeping the ball and seeing opportunities open before him.

One dangerous weapon we have are Gourcuff’s freekicks, he created so many scoring opportunities during the past three games. The most important one being the 30-meter kick to William Gallas’ head to level the score between France and Tunisia. I wouldn’t be suprised to see Yoann score directly off a free kick (especially with the Jubalani) or score off one of his impressive distance shots.

All France have to do to win their group is use this criticism to their advantage. I understand that everyone is frustrated with the starting XI etc, but any combination of our 23 man squad can really pack a punch. They just need to show the desire, and want to score. France need to give up possession sometimes and just pull the trigger, you never know what can happen. Our defense can take care of things as long as the offense is scoring. That being said, here are my predictions for Group A:

South Africa 1 – 0 Mexico
France 2 – 1 Uruguay
South Africa 1 – 0 Uruguay
France 1 – 1 Mexico
Mexico 2 – 0 Uruguay
France 1 – 0 South Africa

1: France 7 points
2: South Africa 6 points
3: Mexico 4 points
4: Uruguay 0 points
(yes it’s VERY biased)

How do you feel about the recent friendlies? Do you agree with my group A predictions? Please let me know by commenting below.

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Michel-Olivier

South Africa 0 – 3 Mexico
France 1 – 2 Uruguay
South Africa 0 – 2 Uruguay
France 0 – 2 Mexico
Mexico 1 – 2 Uruguay
France 1 – 1 South Africa
1: Uruguay 9 points
2: Mexico 6 points
3: France 1 points
4: South Africa 1 points

vivre domenech
chupp

You think Suarez and Forlan will only score 1 goal in 3 matches?
JeanFrancoisRacinet

Suarez and Forlan are a deadly pair, the problem is they don't have much in the midfield and the defense to back them up. That being said, this is just how I feel Group A could go. Anything can happen.
Rufus T. Firelfy

I don't know. While I agree with your assessment about the mid to striker link weaknesses, if this kid Lodeiro pans out he can be that key midfielder.

I caught a couple of Uruguay matches and they look to me to be a relentless team that can pull off some nasty wins. What they lack in skill they make up in strict marking. I can't help but think this is a terrible match for France just like I think Paraguay is a rough task for a limping Italy. Both 2006 finalists better find their resolve quickly I reckon.

Mexico is a pure dark horse; organized and skilled. South Africa is the home side. France is in tough.
bof

France is screwed
Robert — USA

WOW. Not only losing to China, but NOT EVEN SCORING?!?!? I'm sorry, but until this team gives me a reason to believe in them, I will consider them the most disappointing team since the French Euro 2008 team. Domenech sure can inspire people when he wants to. I'm referring to his fiancee who actually accepted his proposal after France “bit it” in a 2-0 loss to Italy

Anelka will always be Le Sulk. Why can't he replicate ANY of his Chelsea footballing? The same goes for Malouda, who I'm quite sure will never live up to his potential with Les Bleus.

At this point, I agree completely with Michel-Olivier in that France will crash out with a whimper. When does Blanc take the reigns?
VictorPY

Anything can happen, but you are giving Uruguay to little credit. To me, France and Uruguay have the teams with the best players, but Uruguay struggles as a team. I give Mexico less credit in terms of the quality of their players, but they may have found themselves as a team with all their friendlies. Mexico could threaten a place I was giving to Uruguay and France.

This is a terrible group for South Africa. I doubt they will get out.
Doumé

Jean-François,
Good observations and like you I can only hope that this can be fixed. Yes the score could have been very different if Gallas had touched the ball when he had to. I wish some of the players (Anelka and others) would not do the old “Stop'n'Think” when they are outpacing the opposing defense. But hey, we're all pretty unharmed, and I prefer that to winning 4-0 and having Ribéry out of the WC for injury (I always see a plus in the most desperate situations!).
I thought that the problem in these friendlies is that France feels like thay have to make the game happen while the other teams just hope to contain them, having no preparation to do for any competition. So while the game has no pace, because the ball is going side to side in front of a 9 guy defense, there are little openings or solutions; and after a while there is a bad pass which leads to a counterattack.
In the WC situation, the opposing team will themselves have to try to qualify also, while keeping France from scoring. So hopefully we should see a little more playing from teams like Mexico and Uruguay.
All in all, I see in this team an assembly of parts from a Ferrari, a Porsche, an Aston-Martin, that have to come together and function to their best. For now it seems the car holds somewhat together, but hasn't gone above first gear.
We'll see what this week brings us…it's both a short and a long time!
Rolando

France are cheats.
jeanpierre

the truth is funny
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Doume! Welcome back! If you look back at some of our old comment threads, we've been hoping that we didn't scare you off! So glad to see that isn't true.

I agree- the anticipation will be agonizing this week….but at the same time, I wish we had more time to mesh! Its now or never time – hopefully Euro 2008 showed the team we can't just show up at a tournament and expect things to click. I feel like they've been trying to get along and work together. If they keep that up, Im sure we will see the fruit of their labor during the World Cup…
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Both Jean-Francois and I put our Group A predictions on the main page's post – I think more respect and attention is shown to Uruguay there..

http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/soun...
Doumé

Hi Sarah! oh, I've been there, it's just that so many people have said exactly what I thought already, I just couldn't think of anything to add . By far I prefer this forum to the ones in French, a lot of them are just a place to vent on Domenech and the players. Here at FWCblog people try to talk about the game, the play.
Also I have been busy trying to schedule concerts in June/July and not having to miss too many night games. Argh. I'll miss some.

So, what can be done in one week? Maybe to just keep it simple. What I would like to see are unsophisticated combinations between 2 or three players, based on quick, direct stuff where the guys know where the other is. Like Ribé-Evra-Gignac (or fill in the blanks). No complicated stuff with which, at the time you have advantage, you have to let the defense reform itself by slowing the game down looking around and trying little passes through a forest of legs. Yes yes I know, that's easy to say…also I thought especially against Costa-Rica, many long shots were taken (Gourcuff, Ribéry, etc) which were threatening; that's great against a thinck defense, but has to be taken in good conditions, not in a “if all else fails” position. I think simplicity would give more continuity, and long shots would also open things up. I think there is so much talent -old and new- that it shouldn't let itself get bogged and not express itself.
One little week!
http://www.adidas.fr/om Justin C.

What is wrong with Anelka?

Where is Djibril?

Also, Gignac and Valbuena deserve to be on the field more than they've been on. They played with a lot of spark and need to be put ahead of some of the so-called “starters”…
John

All of Ireland are praying for you to flop out of the WC in the first round, but your cheats seem to be doing their utmost to achieve that objective themselves! We are planning one hell of a party in the Emerald Isle when you crash out. Not one act of contrition by the French FA, what a shameful Nation!
Michel-Olivier

menez, gameiro, cabaye and cheyrou deserve to be in the squad
ferrini

honestly, i think that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going..France will scrape thru the group stages and then will knock out some top teams and will atleast reach the semis…even my team Italia is written off by all but watch out, we will make it to the final…i mean we will struggle in the group stages but will come on top, then have an easy last 16 with Denmark, only one tough match with probably spain in quarters….
it will be france vs Italia in the final, i have said it here..first
Jani

South Africa 1 – 2 Mexico
France 2 – 2 Uruguay
South Africa 1 – 1 Uruguay
France 1 – 1 Mexico
Uruguay 2 – 1 Mexico
France 3 – 0 South Africa

1: France 5 points 6:3
2: Uruguay 5 points 5:4
3: Mexico 4 points 4:4
4: South Africa 2:5

Allez les Bleus!
Jeff

Denmark won't be easy. Everything else you wrote may well be true, but I would expect Denmark to play with pride and quality.
Jeff

Jani – That looks like a dogfight. Pfff. So we'll qualify, but still be upset!
Lauren

As somene who is Scottish I will be supporting France, as I can speak a little French and love your country. In Scotland, We hope you draw England and destroy them. Allez les Bleus et bonne chance, de tout L' écosse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JeanFrancoisRacinet

I would love to see France score 6 goals in group stage. I remember 4 years ago when we only saw 3. And before that, 0…… However I think that whoever wins on the opening day will go through. I don't care how we go through, I just hope that we don't pair up with Argentina in the round of 16. For some odd reason I fear Argentina more than England, Holland, and Spain.
JeanFrancoisRacinet

Doumé,
Thanks and you have some very valid points.

I believe you're correct about playing weaker teams. The Chinese defense was an accurate representation of their population, they were defenders everywhere! Because we brought more guys up into the offense, the counterattacks were very scary. In a way, we haven't really played a 4-3-3 yet because against the weaker teams there was always a defender, or two (sometimes 3…) playing offense. Against China I only saw Reveillere playing offense.

Once we are playing more competitive teams and stretch the field out it will give our whole team breathing room I think we can really create some offensive chances, without having to worry so much about keeping possession.