Starting Lineup, and the Place to Leave Comments During the Game

March 28th, 2009 | by: Laurie |

UPDATE: L’Equipe is reporting that Peguy Luyindula will start on the wing, with Henry up top and no Benzema! Now this could get interesting.

New lineup: Mandanda – Sagna, Squillaci, Gallas, Evra – Toulalan, L. Diarra – Luyindula, Gourcuff, Ribéry – Henry.

Maxifoot is listing the following starting lineup:

Mandanda – Sagna, Squillaci, Gallas, Evra – Toulalan, L. Diarra – Ribéry, Gourcuff, Henry – Benzema

Raymond is tinkering with the centerbacks, giving Squillaci a shot. Probably because Mexès has the potential to be brilliant, yet still scares the living hell out of every thinking person, given that he plays every second as a red card waiting to happen.

Other than that, with the possible exception of leftback (didn’t Abidal start last month?) I think this is precisely the same lineup he used against Argentina. Because that worked so well.

I wouldn’t be so frustrated about this lineup if Raymond had shown any capacity to analyze the game as it goes along, substituting out non-performers. But…no. I’ll be surprised if he makes two substitutions, no matter how badly the game goes.

Am I being pessimistic?

Interesting points from Gaël Clichy in an interview this week on playing with the NT. I’ll search out the link later, but he basically said that he feels he has very little freedom to get forward for France, because so much is required of him defensively and one tiny mistake could cost them a chance at qualifying. And that this definitely constrains his play.

No pressure, guys.

Here in the US, the game is on TV5Monde if you subscribe. (Listed on the west coast schedule as showing at 12:37. Yes, I’m serious.) Otherwise be sure to check out myp2p.eu for illicit streams.

And if you’re watching near (or on) your computer, be sure to stop by here and leave thoughts as the game progresses.

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Zizoued

That’s another dumb move by Domenech. Is that got to do with Astrology and movement of stars eh?
pean8ts

domenech…GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michel-Olivier

Lithuania 2 France 1
Eric Escander

Mandanda? oh crap, we’re in for some game with this guy in goal.
http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/ GFC

Domenech once again finds a way to surprise everyone. Not sure Luyindula is ahead of Nasri in the pecking order. And why not play Diaby next to Diarra, give Les Bleus more offensive punch and some height to defend set peices???

More of my rantings:

http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/03/domenech-once-again-surprises-everyone.html
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I’d forgotten the racist banner the last time France played here. The announcers were just talking about it.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I’d also forgotten how awful their pitch is.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I’m hesitant to say this, given how it’s worked out in the past, but Gourcuff especially is looking promising today. This lineup has potential
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

And set pieces (theirs) still make my heart stop. Every time.
Steven

Laurie, where are you watching this? TV5?

Does anyone have a good site to watch this?
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Steven, Yes, I’m watching on TV5. myp2p.eu has a lot of links, but it’s always trial and error. http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=34087&part=sports

If anybody has a working one, can you post it here?
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I’m wondering if we won’t see Nasri second half. Luyindula hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t added a lot either.
Benjamin

I remember reading somewhere that Nasri and Ribery HATE each other…if there is any truth to that, does anyone think thats why we haven’t seen him playing at all. I mean come on he is a no brainer started so that could be the proble, or the stars told Domenech that Nasri isn’t the man.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

And that’s the half. SO MANY CHANCES!!!! These are the ones we always lose 0-1 because we lose attention on one counter.

(I know, I shouldn’t say that.)
Zizoued

Nasri is not starting because Domenech is an idiot.
Jao

LMAO. The ball was in our attack for about 95% of the match. We got about 5 shots out of that max. This is why we boo Evra.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Second half, both sides seem to be playing for the draw.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Woohoo!!!! RIBERY!!!!!!!!!!

(And the assist by Gourcuff wasn’t half bad either.)
lefutur

Bravo Francky!!
Ryan

Working stream here: http://adotri.com/Sports.htm

2nd box down from the right. Incredibly smooth.

I tuned in right after Ribery scored.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Whew. Three points. That should have been much easier than it was.
Eric Escander

We played good not great but it feels good to get the three points. Next time we should be able to dominate them. This is good to see, hopefully we can keep up the momentum.
ahmad

where can i stream a full replay