October Squad announced. Toulalan left behind.

September 30th, 2010 | by: Jean-François |

Just a few minutes before writing this post Laurent Blanc released his squad to face Romania in the Stade de France on October 9th and Luxembourg in Metz on October 12th. Both matches are Euro 2012 qualifiers. Here is the squad:

GARDIENS : Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux)

DÉFENSEURS : Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ANG), Adil Rami (Lille), Philippe Mexès (AS Rome/ITA), Mamadou Sakho (Paris-SG), Benoît Trémoulinas (Bordeaux), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal/ANG),

MILIEUX : Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ANG), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ANG), Blaise Matuidi (St-Etienne), Yohann Gourcuff (Lyon), Samir Nasri (Arsenal/ANG).

ATTAQUANTS : Kévin Gameiro (Lorient), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Loïc Rémy (Marseille), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris-SG), Dimitri Payet (St-Etienne)

The biggest surprise would have to be the exclusion of Jeremy Toulalan. Some may be upset to see that but to be honest I think M’Vila, Diaby, and Alou Diarra are doing a superb job. Other notable exclusions are Ribery (injury & suspension), Abidal, Cissokho, Gignac, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, and Koscielny.

Toulalan

One interesting inclusion is Dimitri Payet of St-Etienne, I’m guessing Laurent Blanc saw his terrific goal in the Rhone Darby this week? It’s also very comforting to see our play-makers, Nasri and Gourcuff, included in the squad. Now the real question is, who gets that #10 slot? Matuidi is back as well, he did pretty well in the last few minutes against Bosnia.

I would like to see Blanc take advantage of the fact that we are playing a minnow (no offense, Luxembourg) this month and give some players such as Payet, Sakho, Matuidi, Tremoulinas, and Gamiero a solid 45 minutes of playing time. Maybe we could also give Lloris a break for that match. Although I do expect 3 points and plenty of goals. With the group being as tight as it is, every goal counts.

Here is Payet’s fantastic game-winning goal against Lyon in the 100th Rhone Darby

Sorry that I have not been able to keep this blog up-to-date. My move to France was more complicated that I first expected. Do expect a preview and possibly live-blogs for both matches. I am going to go see the France-Romania match live in the Stade de France next week so I will not be able to attend the liveblog.

How do you guys feel about the squad? Would you have chosen someone else? Please let us know by commenting below.

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Jerome

unfortunate that of course that goal had to have been scored against Lloris…but I don't think any keeper would have saved that one.

I'll be going to the match vs romania, so I'm hoping to see a strong lineup. I'm curious to see how/if Blanc plans to play nasri and gourcuff together. Could form a nice midfield duo, but I don't want to see us having the same problems england have had with gerrard vs lampard.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Jean-François Racinet

Lloris did a fantastic job even getting a hand on that ball.

I think that Blanc will play either Nasri or Gourcuff in the #10 slot with the other to the right in the #8 slot. The midfield combination if Nasri Gourcuff and Malouda could only be surpassed by Spain right now. I really hope we avoid any drama whatsoever. We've had too much. I'll be going to the Romania match as well with my cousin. Hopefully it will be a great atmosphere. You have good tickets?
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Im a bit shocked Squillaci wasnt chosen either – he and Kolcielny have been performing well but I can understand Blanc's desire to want to keep the team that won at Bosnia together.

Some fascinating interview tidbits from Blanc's interview with France Soir…

- Anelka is a quality player (Blanc also mentions playing with him), but he must assume consequences for his actions

- On Benzema…
This is not a lack of ambition. There are many young French players who arrive at a very high without difficulty. They have gifts and natural qualities. To pass the course, we must get to work. That's where we can compare that to a lack of ambition or a kind of sloppiness. I think it's a surprise for them when they are realizing that their natural qualities are not enough and that we must work collectively and tactically.
…
He does not usually work. When you are alone with the person, he listens to you. But these same attentive and responsive players, when they go out into the street, meet people who tell them: you're the best, you play for Real Madrid, you do not need to work. These are false friends.

On rotating the Captains armband..

So far yes. Florent is one of the experienced players, but it is not enough to be captain. Captain is a behavior, an attitude, a little while. If I feel somebody emerges, I'm not more stupid than another … If the guy shows interest in the role and that it does not weaken, the sublime, and that it can transmit to others this sublimation, of course yes.

On Gourcuff
LB Zidane took his international debut at age 23. Gourcuff is 24 years old. He plays the same position, the center of a team, so much is expected of him in the game he has the ability and talent. It is not sure he gets there. Allow him to be able to get there. Do not give him too much responsibility off the field because it is perhaps not yet able to bear them. It is an introverted boy, helping him. Let him play. Let him mature, simply. Think that at his age, Zinedine was the little guy who came with his bag in the France team.

Complete interview here: http://www.francesoir.fr/equipe-de-france-football/les-verites-de-laurent-blanc.30650
Jerome

not entirely sure. I'm currently in london (standing by my beloved arsenal) and one of my relatives over in France bought them. He's been there many times though so I'm assuming he was able to get us some good seats. Either way, being in the stadium is good enough for me! It's already an improvement from watching it online in the states.

And I agree with the midfield. That trio would be a force to be reckoned with, if they all clicked and played together well. I'm not sure which would be better off in the 10 or 8 spot though. Nasri has shown that for arsenal at least, he can manage in just about any midfield/attacking position. Apart from our defense, which is a whole different story, my only fear would be that we could get caught in the counterattack with those 3 in the mid.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

It's hard to speculate on who Blanc will start because he's still so new as the France manager. Valbuena did well against Bosnia, but Samir Nasri has been really good for Arsenal at times this season, especially since Fabregas went out injured. Diaby was good in the Bosnia match but he's struggled with injuries (and form) recently.

The system Blanc used against Bosnia was to press them high up the pitch with Diaby furthest forward when we were defending. Arsene Wenger should have no hesitation in copying this tactic because it gives Diaby something to keep himself occupied. If Diaby plays like he played against Bosnia, then talk of needing Nasri or Gourcuff to play the number 10 makes no sense to me. If Diaby plays like he did against West Brom, he should be substituted in the first half.

I could see Gourcuff maybe replacing Diaby and Nasri maybe replacing Valbuena. Other than that, barring injuries, I think he'll use the players who got the away victory to Bosnia, with even Clichy, whose error-proneness is at a peak, keeping his place.
http://twitter.com/ledefootoir Le Défootoir

The french defense of Arsenal (Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy) has been awful against WBA.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

It is very rare for Sagna to have a bad match like he did against WBA.
Robert

“It's already an improvement from watching it online in the states.”

It just isn't fair!!! I remember when Directv used to carry Setanta. That and Fox Soccer used to broadcast nearly 80% of France's NT matches. Now, only OVERRATED England and Mexico are guarantees.

That said, I am SO EXCITED with these two matches coming up! I cannot wait to see the progression of this team under Blanc. He is such a smart, resourceful coach and he is truly a blessing to French football.
Nicolas

According to L'Equipe, the starting 11 could be

———-Lloris————
Sagna–Rami–Sakho–Clichy
—-A. Diarra–Diaby (or M'Vila)
Nasri—–Gourcuff—Malouda
———Benzema———–

Wouldn't it be nice ?

Squilacci is probably disappointed, because he's a starter with Arsenal : he played all of last 5 games and even scored in CL. To me he's probably the best French center back, but Lolo doesn't agree with me !!
I think Blanc had avery clear idea about his center backs even before being appointed in August. I'd heard that he was already very fond of Rami last season.
Squilacci is maybe more
of a steady player, without being a top-class center back like Sakho might become.
One thing I like in Blanc is that he looks ahead, and gives their chances to young and talentuous players like M'Vila, Sakho, Gameiro or Matuidi and Payet (that free kick is just gorgeous !!)
anon

not sure why gourcuff should start vs. romania. he hasn't been playing well and he appears to lack confidence
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

I could see Diaby keeping his place ahead of Gourcuff. It would be great if they were both perfectly fit and both starting for their clubs so we could see Blanc's thinking.
Jeremy

with the way diaby has been playing for Arsenal, I see no reason why he should keep his place.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

I could see Diaby being a player who steps it up for the national team, if Blanc gets the man management just right.
abd

Finally, the french have decided to bring the Algerian influence back into their team. Africa FC should be winning games very soon.
Wai

David Trezeguet

One the hottest strikers alongside with Payet for France at the moment. 3 goals in 4 games played thus far. Seems no one remembered him anymore.
Adrian

Hahaha I can predict the line up…
(4-2-3-1)
Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Mexes, Clichy; M'Vila, Diaby; Nasri, Gourcuff, Malouda; Benzema…!!
Adrian

Hahaha I can predict the line up…
(4-2-3-1)
Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Mexes, Clichy; M'Vila, Diaby; Nasri, Gourcuff, Malouda; Benzema…!!
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

Alou, captain against Bosnia, to be dropped?
Nicolas

Diaby was great against Bosnia
Adrian

Yeah, it seems very likely for him to be dropped…
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

I heard it here first.
Smile

Cisse 4 league games played 5 goals.
anicho

Blanc basically said no to him. He said he prefers younger players.
anicho

Carrasso for #2!! He's been immense recently.

Tremoulinas shouldn't have been called he wasn't very good recently.

Gourcuff has been poor for over 19 games now. He shouldn't start. (he was involved in his first goal for Lyon yesterday which is good). For his talent level I can understand the call.

Ciani should be pending a call soon also. Since the PSG match he has been solid. If Blanc continues to over look him I would be quite concerned about his lack of good judgments
Jeremy

Of all the players, blanc probably knows Gourcuff the best, so if he has faith in him, so do I. He might just be one of those players who performs better for country than club. I'd be ok with that.

either way, he's here to stay so we might as well see how he does.