News: FRANCE VS SPAIN JUNE

heres what everybody's talking about ...... guesss what?!,i could care less ,we are going to win !
ALLEZ LES BLEUS!
Samedi 23 juin 2012Quarts de finale de l'Euro 2012
France - Espagne, à Donetsk (20h45)

Remember what they said about us in 06'? Hopefully there's a repeat.

Blanc: France need to believe they can beat Spain

The Bleus coach claimed that he feels his side could overcome the world and European champions but to do so they need to have faith in their own ability to reach the semi-finals

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eu...nc-france-need-to-believe-they-can-beat-spain

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

back to work

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!!!

Are those girls going to play against Spain??

Regarding the match, i just don't see the miracle happening for France, but hopefully i'm wrong.
When you look at the weaknesses of both teams, Spain looks more capable of exploiting those of France than the opposite.
These current french players love to control possession just like Spain (though not as well), they lack defensive "mentality" and they'll get frustrated after a while if they don't see the ball enough which might cause some concentration issues defensively (Knowing that defence is France's biggest issue) that Spain will exploit.
On the offensive side, France has a problem in the sense that there's never a player making runs behind the defenders, so when the players manage to get the ball, they'll be forced to try to pass their way out instead playing foward and direct.
We've been hearing about how Italy and Croatia did well against Spain, it's true but there're reasons for that. Italy and Croatia were in place defensively (like i already said, defence is France's biggest issue) and both teams have to players of great quality that created alot (whenever their teams decided to push foward) that France just doesn't have, PIRLO & MODRIC.
For all the weaknesses that are being pointed out about the Spanish defence, they've conceeded only 1 goal so far.

Zidane warns France that they must stop impressive Iniesta

The Real Madrid legend feels that the Barcelona man could destroy their chances of reaching the last four of the European Championship, and tips Spain to win the upcoming clash

http://www.goal.com/en/news/90/fran...france-that-they-must-stop-impressive-iniesta

Nasri: France are glad to be drawn against Spain rather than Italy

The attacker believes the Azzurri are harder to play against due to their more defensive nature, while pointing out that the holders often struggle against Les Bleus

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eu...re-glad-to-be-drawn-against-spain-rather-than

NASRI is 100%percent right

How's Nasri right? they won't see the ball against Spain and Italy on the pitch contrary what their formation may lead us to think, aren't too defensive. I believe Italy wouldn't have just sat back and waited

I seem to remember that Croatia had a fair amount of possession vs Spain. And France should be able to do better assuming they line up correctly.


[EDIT] Croatia has 35% possession according to this link:

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/eurocup/matchtrax?gameId=2012061810239

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eu...-need-to-show-what-they-can-do-says-emmanuel-
Emmanuel Petit speaks the truth

Does anyone knows the details of the incidents in the French locker room after the Sweden-France game?

That's the thing though. I don't think we really need the ball to win. That's IF we play defensively sound. Sometimes I think this squad would be better off with less possession. When they do get the ball, they'll be more decisive, and we have great players who can run on the dribble.

From Goal.com: On Tuesday evening, in the France dressing room after the 2-0 defeat to Sweden, another incident among the players exploded into view. It didn't even last 10 minutes, but it was violent. Alou Diarra was seemingly the most vocal. He took to the floor to air his discontent and disgust, crying out angrily having taken issue with several team-mates for their lack of motivation and team spirit.

The old criticisms and insults resurface. Certain players were close to fighting each other. Across the dressing room, words were flying in all directions. It heated up between Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri and then Diarra and the Manchester City star.

Laurent Blanc had harsh words for Philippe Mexes because of the yellow card that will deprive the coach of his services for the quarter-final against Spain on Saturday. Franck Ribery tried to calm everyone down, but it was as if the whole dressing room was possessed.

Florent Malouda also raised his voce. The Guianan offered this more than muscular explanation: "What I've seen has awoken some demons in me," he stated. "I will not speak about the match, but about attitude, and what emerges. We can do a lot of harm by swinging punches. If we had the spirit the Swedes had, we could have lost, but we wouldn't have woken up with a hangover. Normally, in a locker room, it's sometimes necessary have these outbursts."

?? Hmmm. I wonder what Malouda wanted to say so badly. He was one of the worst players on the pitch. Sounds like at least a couple of players had issues with Nasri (including Ben Arfa, who looked terrible too.)

Thanks for the details. I am not surprised that Nasri is in the middle of this. He is such an unappealing character and tends to antagonize everyone.

SPAIN

Casillas

Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba

Busquets, Alonso,Iniesta, Xavi, Silva

Torres

FRANCE

Lloris

Debuchy, Koscielny, Rami, Clichy

Cabaye, M'Vila

Menez, Nasri, Ribery

Benzema

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

Good. So Cabaye is expected to play? I had heard that he was still struggling with the thigh injury.

That's really our best lineup right there. Go big or go home!

thats the theme of the match ! you hit the nail on the head !

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

biase matuidi might get some playing time i heared tomorrow , better do a good job if he passes the ball fast we need the one touch passing from this nut at least hes wearing lucky number 12 which is my favorite number

2012

12

Yikes. I'm not sure he has what it takes to take on a side like Spain.

My only change should be Diarra for Nasri. Nasri should start on the bench.
He is a bad match up against Spain.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS

It's sounding as if Blanc may leave Nasri out of the starting 11 due to his attitude. It seems he is instigating problems within the squad.