Post Game Thoughts: Costa Rica

My Player Ratings: (1-10 scale)
Goalie:
Steve Mandanda – 5.5

Defenders:
Gallas – 6
Eric Abidal – 6.5
Patrice Evra – 6
Bacary Sagna – 6.5
Sébastien Squillaci – 6

Midfielders:
Alou Diarra – 6
Yoann Gourcuff – 8
Florent Malouda – 6.5
Jérémy Toulalan -7

Forwards:
Nicolas Anelka – 5.5
Sidney Govou – 6
Thierry Henry – 6
Franck Ribéry – 8.5

I was very happy with impact made by Valbuena and Diaby, especially the latter who I feel has what it takes to overhaul a shaky 'usual' starter.
My man of the match is Ribéry, of course. But Gourcuff is a really close runner-up. Had Toulalan played in the 2nd half, he definitely would have been my MOM. Valbuena comes 3rd.

I prefer Anelka on the right flank and Henry upfront. The 4-3-3 formation is perfect.

Valbuena was solid as a sub and I think is a real option for the right wing. Ribery was clearly the man of the match. He demonstrated why he, and not Henry, should be on the left wing for Les Bleus. I would agree with your assessments of the players – Anelka and Henry left much to be desired up front – but we know they have it in their boots to bring some goals to the side. My own thoughts – http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2010/05/les...

Quick note, Abidal has played in central defense for France, let us not forget he also played there against Italy in the Euros and got red carded! Ugh. But completely agree that Abidal played well in that spot.

Gourcuff was awesome very proud of his play tonight. Ribery was the best tonight but Gourcuff was close. Diaby did well, and Valbuena is a good Sub! definently not man of the match though nor first team material for the moment. But again Gourcuff is shaping up nicely.

Henry didn't shine tonight, but I like him up front. I've never been a big fan of Anelka despite his goal against Ireland (Other than that I can't think of a thing he's done for the team. The 3 up front I'd like to see would be Ribery, Henry and I'd rotate the third between Gingac and Cisse.

Sweet second half. I saw sparkle and confidence, both mostly missing of late. I also liked the interplay between a couple of players, notably between Gourcuff and Ribery. If it were up to me, I'd pick either Gourcuff or Abidal for man 'o the match. The former carved the pitch to his liking as the match went on, and Abidal was quietly superb.

Although I thought he was good, Ribery benefited, weirdly, from lots of room, particularly in the first half. Lots of fire and brimstone but I was looking for more, such as a legit shot on goal. Other standouts: Diaby, for his nice work leading to the second goal and for winning the ball a few times; Sagna; and Toulalan.

If Malouda can bring his Chelsea form forward (though, as a gooner, I'd also like to see Diaby do well) and if Anelka (and/or Valbuena) can solve the right side, with Gignac as a center forward scoring three or so a la Henry 98, this squad can beat anybody, including and above all, Spain.

Love your comments pdp.

Yes, Abidal has had a bunch of matches in central defense (including that Italy/red card match). A while back (I get increasily less specific/confused about time as I get older) it looked like Doms had settled on Gallas/Abidal as the first choice central defense, but then Abidal got injured, I think.

Squillaci has been ok, so maybe defense won't be a disaster. I don't know if Gallas should be a starter on current form. His attempted header which they replayed in slow motion was not good.

Henry added absolutely nothing to the game. Ribery definitely showed up in the first half and started fading away in the second but he's the man of match. Gorcuff woke up and showed some serious confidence later on in the game. As JF and Icegaze mentioned the 433 formation was a nice surprise. Had we converted more scoring opportunities maybe Domenech would be the man of the match.

“I believe that Costa Rica has a large capacity, and could qualify for the next World Cup.” They were very close in doing so. The final spot for qualification in CONCACAF was up for grabs on the final day of qualification games and Costa Rica looked like they were going. But Honduras pipped them. Costa Rica are no mugs, they've improved their game very well in recent yrs, they're one of the best teams in CONCACAF. Yes, I know, it's CONCACAF, not exactly the Eurozone – but frankly, I don't know why the Eurozone is automatically viewed as universally superior to CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. When I watch the overwhelming majority of teams in UEFA (not the Hollands, Spains, Frances but the Slovenias, Slovakias, Polands, etc.), I'm not in the least impressed. Teams like Costa Rica, Paraguay, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay are not only better to watch, they're just better–period. Both Brazil and Argentina have had an increasingly difficult time in the last 15 yrs or so in qualification rounds — whereas they used to just breeze right thru it.

Re Diaby: “Wow, did you see his moves today? He has such good footwork for someone of his size. I criticized him earlier, but now I realize that he deserves to be there. He proved me wrong”

Let's just hope he's consistent. Last night he showed why he can be such an impressive, exciting player. I just want consistency from him. That's what we gooners have been wanting to see for 4 seasons now. If he can do that, then LOOK OUT!

Thought Sagna deserved a better rating.

Agree with all other comments re best players — for me, it was all about Ribery, Diaby, Valbuena (yes!) and Gourcuff. Very surprised to see Dom change the formation, and his choices for subs. Good calls. Has someone spoken into his ear or something?

It's amazing how much good a 2-1 victory in a home friendly has done for my morale.

I read that Vital Arsenal link about Diaby that you posted. It definitely had some good detail about his season, and it's a good read for people to see how Diaby is viewed by Arsenal Supporters, although I'm more pro-Diaby, and I think he sometimes gets overly criticized because people's expectations are so high.

Anyone who watched last night will know why I'm always going on about his potential and how much I like him. For me, his style of build-up play, the solo runs where he beats multiple players, is wonderful to watch. If these runs end in losing the ball, I still like them because I feel like he was putting some pressure on the opposition, and that it will eventually lead to something, whereas other Gooners, including close friends of mine, will be furious with him (and supportive of the other players who chose to pass the ball sideways for 90 minutes).

Yeah, but a defense like this, they can't go far. Nice to see progress in midfield though.
Christian Loriau

If Domenech can solve the problems in central defense for the game in Tunisia I'll definitely make him my man of the match.

I think the Defense has the capacity. I think its mainly the new formation, once the defenders get used to it they should do a lot better.

“If these runs end in losing the ball, I still like them because I feel like he was putting some pressure on the opposition, and that it will eventually lead to something, whereas other Gooners, including close friends of mine, will be furious with him (and supportive of the other players who chose to pass the ball sideways for 90 minutes”

I agree with you on this, I'm certainly not a supporter of the constant sideways passers — those who refuse to take risks and just look clueless, so that's all they do. Diaby's not the only player who frustrates me (Theo, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner). For me the reason Diaby gets so much stick is because out of all of them, at his best moments, you see a player who suddenly blows everyone else on the pitch away, incl. someone like Arshavin. You think “wow, wtf???” For me, his problem is motivation. Maybe he'll keep that motivation at top level for the world cup.

You are correct and we are all getting older! I think that Gallas will be a starter unless he cannot even move. I think that Domenech will not want to do without his leadership and experience, but I agree that he does not look 100% which is a little concerning.

Costa Rica has long been a power in CONCACAF, they can beat the U.S. or Mexico on any given day. They have always slightly underperformed at the WC but usually qualify. I think France has an excellent chance at winning it all, if they win their group they do not have to face either Spain or Argentina (given that they win their groups) until the final, which leaves possibly England and Brasil (given that they win their groups). So , if you follow me, I think this France squad can defeat an overrate England and Brasil and make it to a final against Spain or Argentina. Once in the final, it could go either way. But I would predict France to make it to the final.

Did anyone else find it uplifting that France did not give up after going down a goal? Additionally, I liked the fact that France played so well in the second half. Perhaps this marks a new era of French confidence.

I think the defense was horrible. That game could have easily ended 2-2 had the Costa Rican header not hit the crossbar in the first half. The offense was a bit more inspiring though. I thought Henry could have been more creative, and Anelka sucked, but Ribery, and Valbuena were in great form. I'd like to see much more of Valbuena on the pitch in the World Cup, he might be the spark the French team needs.

I was definitely uplifted by the offense not being so sluggish, as it has been for so long.

Valbuena was pretty good. I'm reserving judgment a little bit because we get a kind of beginners luck or extra motivation with new players, who then get unbelievably jaded and play like they've been drugged. Benzema, for example, but certainly not just him. Gourcuff had a little bit of that, but in his case I think it was because of injury.

Obviously if he can reproduce that kind of performance, he'll be a huge asset.