Norway – France Live Blog: Norway 2 – France 1 (Full Time)

August 11th, 2010 | by: jeff | View Comments

I’m here. My match video is “about to begin.” Using the old-fashioned technology of updating this post with major events and discussing the finer points in the comments (if anyone’s there), I’m going to attempt a Live Blog of Laurent Blanc’s first match in charge.

None of the 23 who were in the World Cup Squad are in the squad today.

Mexes is tonight’s captain. (People were expecting Lassana Diarra).

France’s Starting 11 : Ruffier – Fanni, Rami, Mexès (cap), Cissokho – M’Vila – Sissoko, N’Zogbia – Nasri – Hoarau, Rémy

Blanc had mentioned he likes a 4-1-3-2, right? (Which sounds a lot like a 4-4-2).

Hoarau Rémy
Sissoko Nasri N’Zogbia
M’Vila
Cissokho Rami Mexes Fanni
Ruffier

That’s a guess. My video hasn’t started yet. The match starts at 9:15 p.m. CET (3:15 Eastern). It’s 3:07 p.m. now.

Six players are getting their first cap: Ruffier, Rami, Cissokho, M’Vila, N’Zogbia et Hoarau.

We’ve seen very little Fanni, Sissoko, and Rémy.

Mexes and Nasri have the most France experience of the first 11.

Since no one’s commenting to contradict me, I can state uncontested that Mexes has been shocking in some of his France performances.

And we’re off. I got video two seconds before kick off (ESPN3.com). So far, just stadium noise with no commentary (I love it).

Laurent Blanc looks sharp in his suit.

Tasty touch from Nasri early.

Hard foul from Mexes (3′).

Commentary kicks in (4′).

Riise loses it for Norway. Goal kick (6′).

Riise kicks it inot touch (7′).

Fanni gets forward from right back – Nasri – Hoarau…lost possession.

Everything is going through Nasri – very much in the Zidane role.

Header from Hoarau – saved.

Shot from Remy – corner. (9′)

Rami (Lille) heads wide from the corner.

N’Zogbia playing to Nasri’s left.

N’Zogbia shot easily blocked (12′).

Nasri takes the corner.

The commentator is excited about a potential Remy transfer.

Good shot right at Ruffier (Monaco) – he parried it (why?) but gathers it up.

Another Norway attack – goal kick (14′).

Riise long throw – Rami clears. Rami clears with another header (16′).

Sweet France move. N’Zogbia (I think) from the left to Remy – sweet header but the keeper saves (17′).

Hoarau is involved in the match – wearing the number 9. He’s available up front and he’s getting some touches.

Rami and Mexes in central defense. So far Rami looks ok (21′).

M. Sissoko (Toulouse) shanks a nice Nasri pass – over for a goal kick. Ugh. (23′).

Mvila (20, Rennes) is playing the holding role in midfield. It’s a big chance for such a young player in a position that he could play for years to come if he can claim it as his own.

Hoarau is there to support Nasri. Popping up to play 1-2s (give-and-gos). (30′)

Two chances for France in quick succession. M. Sissoko gets his shot perfect this time, but it’s saved nicely and Remy has another header. (31′)

Ruffier decisive for a corner – punches clear (34′).

France ALMOST concede. Rami almost scored an own goal, but didn’t. Just wide of the far post (on the ground) (35′).

All Norway for a few minutes here (37′).

Mexes passes to Remy who’s several meters offside. Odd. (38′).

Sweet little touch from M. Sissoko, backheel to Nasri, A. Cissokho getting forward on the other side. Mvila getting forward through the middle. (39′).

Everybody for France looks good. Ruffier scared me a little earlier, but there are some very interesting players for France in the outfield – like Nasri and Mvila – the midfield axis (43′).

Mexes nicks it away – initially looked like it might be a penalty (44′).

Norway are able to get crosses in from the wings. France are just doing enough to clear.

Halftime. 0-0.

Cat Stevens’ Father and Son playing in the stadium in Norway at halftime.

The Formation

It was sort of a 433 in the first half.

Hoarau Rémy
Nasri
N’Zogbia Mvila Sissoko
Cissokho Mexes Rami Fanni
Ruffier

But Nasri was dropping deep and Remy was playing wide right at times.

It was a lot of fun to watch. A bit reminiscent of a France youth side, with players who just go out and play. It’s 0-0, but it feels like it could be a 1-0 or 2-1 France lead based on the balance of play. Get some goals, gentlemen.

2nd half underway.

Lassana Diarra’s on. Jeremy Menez is on. Ben Arfa’s on.

Bena Arfa goal (48′).

Left-footed from way out. Absolutely brilliant strike. Low to the far post.

It was just about Ben Arfa’s first touch.

Norway goal. 1-1. Ruffier might have done better. (51′)

France’s weak spot was in the left side of defense. Norway striker did well. Normally the keeper would’ve saved it, I think, although it was from close range. The defense would have done well to get in a block. Ugh.

Nasri and Mvila are both still on.

With Nasri, Ben Arfa, and Menez, there’s a hint of attacking arrogance in the side. (56′)

Lassana Diarra with two consecutive giveaways of the type that hurt us so much against Ireland in the World Cup Playoff second leg. I would drop him if I were the manager, or at least make him play wide where the giveaways aren’t such a scoring opportunity for the other side. (57′)

Hoarau off – Benzema on (61′).

Nice run from Nasri (65′).

That time the Diarra giveaway does result in a goal (71′).

Boo Lassana. Don’t give away the ball from the deep-lying midfield position setting up the opposition for a goal.

Cabaye on – Mvila off (74′).

Great save by Ruffier (75′).

Another really good save from Ruffier. The second within a few seconds, but two distinct sequences (not reassuring defense) (75′).

The same Norway striker has both of their goals.

Rami header from corner just over (77′).

Mexes passes it to no one, and then looks mixed up for the resulting attack. (78′).

Briand on – Nasri off. (79′)

Ben Arfa – great run to the end line but his cut back is cut out. (81′).

Nice run and shot from Menez. Keeper saves (85′).

Ruffier lost at sea for corner. Mexes clears (86′).

Benzema playing up front, has space to run, loose pass to Ben Arfa and the chance is gone. (87′).

Fanni brings a player down. Norway with a freekick from a decent position. (90′)

Mercifully wide (91′).

3 minutes added.

Diarra with another giveaway in a dangerous position when he’s under no apparent pressure (92′).

Freekick for France. Who’s going to take it? (93′)

Cabaye. No threat. Full time.

Full time thoughts

Disappointing loss after a fun first half, and a great Ben Arfa goal to start the second half.

If Blanc wants to avoid similar defeats, he’ll probably want to avoid selecting Lassana Diarra. Diarra’s decision making is too rash at this level at his position (right in front of the defense).

Will Blanc be a bumbler like Domenech or will he drop players who under-perform?

And what about Mexes? I can only see him staying on as a starter for France if the options are very limited. I thought he was underwhelming. I thought Rami was better. It’s only one match, and it’s a friendly, so it’s hard to say, but obviously there were problems with the team defending.

I’d love to hear if Blanc has a plan.