WCQ UEFA Playoff: France vs... ???

[bwiorly]

I thought I'd start a pre-draw playoff thread, so we can talk about our potential opponents... Who do we like? Who should we fear?, etc. Once we know the team we'll face, we can start new pre-game/game threads.

A couple of points of information first:

The playoff draw will take place in Zurich on Monday October 19. Teams will be seeded in two pots according to the October 16 FIFA rankings, resultaing in four Pot 1 vs. Pot 2 matchups. A separate draw will determine the home and away order, meaning Pot 1 teams will NOT necessarily have the return leg at home.

The two legs will be played Saturday November 14 and Wednesday November 18.

Barring major upsets on Wednesday, the pots will be as follow (current FIFA rankings in parentheses):

Pot 1: Russia (6), France (10), Greece (12), Portugal (17)
Pot 2: Ukraine (25), Ireland (38), Bosnia (46), Slovenia (54) or Slovakia (45)

Yes, no chance of a matchup vs. Portugal thanks to Ukraine beating England today...

IMO, best matchup for us would be Slovenia/Slovakia. Then, not sure... If we don't draw Slovenia/Slovakia, I say what will matter most is actually not whether we get to play Ukraine, Ireland or Bosnia, but whether we have the 2nd leg at home or away.

In any case, I feel pretty good about our chances to qualify--doesn't mean that I won't be a nervous wreck come mid-November, though...

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

[zizouForlife]

a team that doesn't play defensive all the time

[Seymour_Gunner]

a team that doesn't play defensive all the time

That would be Bosnia, but they have a potent attack.
I'd say Rep. Ire would be be one team France would like to avoid. They play tight defense and in many respects are like Scotland.

[corolla]

I too would prefer Slovakia/Slovenia. I'm going to be very worried come November. I like the way France played yesterday but I think we'll have a better idea of if that was just a sign of a weak opponent or the sign of things to come after the match v. Austria this Weds.

Also, keep in mind that Greece could take top of Group 2 on Weds if they beat Luxembourg and Switzerland loses to Isreal. One is probable, the other is possible. I wonder how that would effect the pots.

[corolla]

Just did a little research and now I'm going to answer my own question. Switzerland is 15th in the world rankings. So, they would be seeded and in pot #1.

[N. Platini]

Lets face it , whoever we're picked against is going to play defensive football .

What worries me is that it's no secret that we struggle against this style of play , yeah we beat the Faroes easily but these teams in pot 2 will have better discipline and quality .

I really hope Franck and Yoann are at 100% when these games come around .

Early goals and it's a whole different game , that's what we need to do !

[Suyuntuy]

France has the manpower to beat anyone. At this point no one wants to get us in the playoff.

Otherwise, we should try avoiding Ireland. They're good at the bunker-and-counter strategy, and our forwards lose their cool when things don't work for a long time.

[corolla]

France has the manpower to beat anyone. At this point no one wants to get us in the playoff.

Otherwise, we should try avoiding Ireland. They're good at the bunker-and-counter strategy, and our forwards lose their cool when things don't work for a long time.

I agree with this sentiment. But then again, no one wants to be in the playoff in the first place. Now, with that said, there aren't really any cupcakes in this round and I would expect tight and cagey affairs in all of the playoff rounds. I hope I'm wrong and France runs through whoever they play, just a bit concerned to say the least. Like I mentioned earlier, our performance on Weds will determine my level of concern for the upcoming matches in November.

[Catel]

Bosnia is a pure booby trap.

Portugal would be taken seriously. But the risk is we underestimate Dzeko's, Misimovic's, Pjanic's team.

I want Slovenia !

...everybody wants Slovenia... :o

[JediMindTricks]

Just did a little research and now I'm going to answer my own question. Switzerland is 15th in the world rankings. So, they would be seeded and in pot #1.

switzerland should top their group with a draw tomorrow, no?

[corolla]

switzerland should top their group with a draw tomorrow, no?

Yeah, they are only a point away from automatic qualification. I was just wondering what would happen if Greece took the group today. It's a bit of a long shot, but just wanted to consider that possibility.

I also agree with the earlier sentiment about Bosnia. I think they're definitely a dangerous team. I think Ireland are also dangerous, and Ukraine is a quality side. Let's just say that Slovenia would be the ideal situation. However, there seems to be this dark cloud over the Domenech era so don't be surprised if the name Slovenia doesn't come out of the pot for us.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

None of those teams really strike fear in my heart. That being said Slovenia would be the obvious choice. I watched that England Ukraine game, and despite them winning, (with England a man down for most of the match) I thought they looked like shit. I haven't seen Bosnia play all campaign, but I doubt it's a team chock full of Pjanic's lol.

[N. Platini]

In normal circumstances none of these teams would be feared by us , but because we're not sure which France is going to turn up we're not 100% confident .

But in normal circumstances we would've breezed through our group ...

I wouldn't say Ukraine are quality side , they're just very good organised . Like Ireland .

[Suyuntuy]

England didn't care about beating them, either. With that Ukrainian victory, Croatia (the team that kicked England out of Euro '08) has been left virtually dead.

True, we don't know which France will play in the play-offs. But it's also all that bunkering they do against Les Bleus. Teams that play openly are easier to beat, for us.

[bwiorly]

Well, no surprises today. It'll be either Ukraine, Ireland, Bosnia or Slovenia.

The draw is scheduled for Monday, 2 pm local time in Zurich--that's 8 am Eastern time for those of us in North America.

Not sure how to evaluate those 4 teams based on today's games, but maybe (I repeat *maybe*) Bosnia isn't as dangerous as people fear.

I'd still take Slovenia over the other 3 teams--then Bosnia, Ukraine, and Ireland in that order.

[JediMindTricks]

ireland and ukraine can be tricky. good luck to you guys.

[Bosanac]

None of those teams really strike fear in my heart. That being said Slovenia would be the obvious choice. I watched that England Ukraine game, anad despite them winning, (with England a man down for most of the match) I thought they looked shit. I haven't seen Bosnia play all campaign, but I doubt it's a teamchock full of Pjanic's lol.

Well of course not but offense is the strength. Personally i think with france struggling and having a poor coach, Bosnia is the most toughest opponent, but do to our poor defence, france would be the toughest for us. our coach and famous former coach said they both wanted france. personally i want france least.

in today's game against spain the result was not indicative. (even del bosque said that) we out-chanced them and dominated first half but could not score. we also had many yellows going into the game and could not press and be aggressive and step up into their face..and thats deadly vs any country especially spain. it was a fun open game for the fans.

the players to watch out for include: dzeko, misimovic, ibisevic, pjanic, salihovic and ibricic.

Dzeko was 2nd in goals last year in Bundesliga.
Misimovic was top in assists in Bundesliga.
Ibisevic led halfway through the year in goals before getting a season ending injury.
Salihovic is one of the best free-kick takers in bundesliga and great crosses/shot.
you guys know pjanic.
ibricic plays for hajduk but should be moving a better club.

[StarrMatthieu]

i hope we play against Ukraine they would be a great team to bounce off and kick start the world cup right i did alot of thinking and ukraine would be good but anything team would be great to play against :D

[Catel]

In normal circumstances none of these teams would be feared by us
Maybe we have to be feared ?... I think - I hope - that we're still "anybody but France" for our potential opponents. That would be logic considering the current Portugal quality.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Well of course not but offense is the strength. Personally i think with france struggling and having a poor coach, Bosnia is the most toughest opponent, but do to our poor defence, france would be the toughest for us. our coach and famous former coach said they both wanted france. personally i want france least.

in today's game against spain the result was not indicative. (even del bosque said that) we out-chanced them and dominated first half but could not score. we also had many yellows going into the game and could not press and be aggressive and step up into their face..and thats deadly vs any country especially spain. it was a fun open game for the fans.

the players to watch out for include: dzeko, misimovic, ibisevic, pjanic, salihovic and ibricic.

Dzeko was 2nd in goals last year in Bundesliga.
Misimovic was top in assists in Bundesliga.
Ibisevic led halfway through the year in goals before getting a season ending injury.
Salihovic is one of the best free-kick takers in bundesliga and great crosses/shot.
you guys know pjanic.
ibricic plays for hajduk but should be moving a better club.

Well in that case, i would actually look forward to playing Bosnia, as it would be a more open game. Then France can use their speed and passing ability more effectively.