France v Denmark (31st May) - {R}

[gaijin]

Have at it.

Probably one of the best sides not to be in the World Cup finals. Memories of four years ago still fresh...

[navid90]

i think they're stiffer opposition than mexico. they'll actually have a go at our goal and test our defense a little. i predict draw or slim unconvincing win as usual

[BenP]

Yes, Denmark will be tough. They didn't qualify for the WC, but they def. are a quality side.

I think it is a very good warm-up match, even if France plays poorly.

[lefutur]

Yes, Denmark will be tough. They didn't qualify for the WC, but they def. are a quality side.

I think it is a very good warm-up match, even if France plays poorly.

I remember they were very organized and didn't give up any space at all at the back.

France definately needs to dig deep into their bag of tricks in order to be able to score. I think Ribery should start with Henry for this one.

[sl7vk]

I would love to see Ribery start this one.....

[allezlesbleusno1]

Here is the line up for Wednesday's game against Denmark:

Barthez - Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal - Makelele, Vieira, Malouda - Zidane - Henry, Saha.

Still using the same formation...4-3-1-2



http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20060530_201554Dev.html

[lefutur]

Here is the line up for Wednesday's game against Denmark:

Barthez - Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal - Makelele, Vieira, Malouda - Zidane - Henry, Saha.

Still using the same formation...4-3-1-2



http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20060530_201554Dev.html

Zidane's going to have to be on his game and providing balls for this formation to work.

I'm interested to see how Saha will do.

[allezlesbleusno1]

Yeah I agree, Zidane is going to have to play better. Denmark play a very physical game much like the English game. I think that is why Domenech is going to try Henry and Saha in the front since they used to playing in the EPL. Saha is interesting, he's had some good games with Manchester United the last part of the season.
Too bad Ribery does not start.
Zidane's going to have to be on his game and providing balls for this formation to work.

I'm interested to see how Saha will do.

[astroboy]

I actually think this is a better attacking lineup for the Zidane we've seen recently. With three mainly defensive midfielders (although Malouda was very good going forward on Sat, obviously) he needs to provide an attacking threat--which was totally non-existent with Trez (doesn't come to the ball) and Cisse (has no real on-the-ball skills). I think Saha and Henry are both much more capable of dropping back, so even if Zizou keeps playing the very conservative passing game he's displaying of late, we should have better offensive construction...

[navid90]

poulsen will stifle zidane just like in 2002 and he might even get under his skin. as for the 3-1 midfield it seems like a box midlfield to me because maloud was attacking and vieira wasn't on the right he was in the middle w/ maka? i dk that what it looked like to me

[awmhamodat]

Im disspoainted that ribery sn't starting.I hope he still gets alot of playing time.Anf ******** sakes , makele and viera again:mad:

[sl7vk]

I'm just waiting for fragile frankie (louis saha) to pull up with a hamstring problem or some shit today.... Uggg, I just hope nobody gets hurt today, with the exception of Boumsong.... Boumsong and Silvestre..... Oh, and Barthez too... :)

[Mefisto]

I expect france is going to win this game because denmark has a shaky defense at the moment


Danish captain Thomas Helveg will receive his 100 cap for the danish national team. only national coach Morten Olsen, Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup has played more than 100 games for denmark

[Adrian Cocot]

I'm surprised people think France will have a tough time in this match. I predict a good match (for a friendly), but I don't think Denmark will do any better than a tie -- the central defense is too suspect IMO.

Denmark tends not to play a physical game. Actually, they're playing with a somewhat unorthodox formation today -- instead of Gravesen and Poulsen anchoring the midfield with Tomasson as an attacking mid with a targetman/box player in front of him (Skoubo and Larsen, both on the bench), Tomasson is playing up front with a three-man central midfield of Gravesen, Poulsen and Daniel Jensen. So it will look more like a 4-1-4-1, with Poulsen as a dedicated bodyguard on Zidane. That being said, Henry will have a field day against Helveg especially, and I don't think anyone has the pace to stop him.

I'm hoping to download this game later tonight, though.

[sl7vk]

I'm surprised people think France will have a tough time in this match. I predict a good match (for a friendly), but I don't think Denmark will do any better than a tie -- the central defense is too suspect IMO.

Denmark tends not to play a physical game. Actually, they're playing with a somewhat unorthodox formation today -- instead of Gravesen and Poulsen anchoring the midfield with Tomasson as an attacking mid with a targetman/box player in front of him (Skoubo and Larsen, both on the bench), Tomasson is playing up front with a three-man central midfield of Gravesen, Poulsen and Daniel Jensen. So it will look more like a 4-1-4-1, with Poulsen as a dedicated bodyguard on Zidane. That being said, Henry will have a field day against Helveg especially, and I don't think anyone has the pace to stop him.

I'm hoping to download this game later tonight, though.

I think a lot of this is a general feeling of ineptitude when it comes to the current French squad. France has rarely scored more then 1 goal in a match in the past 2 years, and I don't really see why tonight would be different in that regard. 1-0 to France is how I see things going. Another drab display that lacks creativity and spirit. Just what we've become used to under the Domenech regime.

[lefutur]

I think a lot of this is a general feeling of ineptitude when it comes to the current French squad. France has rarely scored more then 1 goal in a match in the past 2 years, and I don't really see why tonight would be different in that regard. 1-0 to France is how I see things going. Another drab display that lacks creativity and spirit. Just what we've become used to under the Domenech regime.

Unless....Ribery goes on early in the second half. that could spice things up a notch or 2!

[awmhamodat]

any links boys???

[lefutur]

woohoo! goal for Henry in minute 13.

Im sensing a good WC for him this time around... :)

[gaijin]

any links boys???

tvants://www.tvants.com/tvants/?k=aa4c56434973eb31
tvants://www.tvants.com/tvants/?k=7e696b439d11eb3e

[lefutur]

According to the commentators on Eurosport, Vieira seems to be having a poor game so far...