How is this performance possible ?

[Ballon d'or Identity]

How can we explain to see players who are for the most part good with their clubs, so inept when wearing a blue Jersey.

How can we explain to see a team that is already worn out after 60 or 70 minutes ? And don't tell me they're old, even Henry looked like he was 50 after the first half.
The heat ? Oh please don't blame the *********NG heat. England, Holland, Sweden all played under the heat and they didn't seem so slow.

How can we explain the lack of passion ? This is a world cup putain de merde.
When i see those players not moving a toe, trying to open up spaces, moving around like crazy, it makes me mad.

How do we explain Viera to be in this team ?
I heard he's been injured for a longtime now, still he plays for France but why ?
Why is Henry so inneficient in front of the goal when in blue. He has clear chances at almost every game. Shall we allow him to play with an Arsenal Jersey ?
Did you see his "pass" to the swiss goalkeeper. He's so weak when he plays for us.

There's something wrong in this team ever since 2002 and i don't understand what. The malaise seems to be more profound than we think.
Zidane arguing with Gallas, Wiltord going off the pitch without even greeting Dhorasso on. Did you see his face when he understood Wiltord went off without greeting him on ? He was gutted.

Quite frankly, if we keep playing like that, even Togo will be hard to beat.

[ilv2]

There's something wrong in this team ever since 2002 and i don't understand what. The malaise seems to be more profound than we think.
Zidane arguing with Gallas, Wiltord going off the pitch without even greeting Dhorasso on. Did you see his face when he understood Wiltord went off without greeting him on ? He was gutted.

hmm.. i didn't notice that! poor vikash, as much crap I've given him here, he deserves respect. That's just terrible - you wouldn't happen to have a video of that would you?

At the end of the day, the result isn't much of a surprise.

[Ballon d'or Identity]

hmm.. i didn't notice that! poor vikash, as much crap I've given him here, he deserves respect. That's just terrible - you wouldn't happen to have a video of that would you?

At the end of the day, the result isn't much of a surprise.

Unfortunaly no. It happen right after Wiltord hurt himself a bit after trying to get a Zidane pass in the box. He went straight to the bench.
I don't know if you've seen it on TF1, but if you did, at one moment,Larqué said "Wiltord has gone out, but France is still playing with 10 players", then like fives seconds later we see Dorahsoo along the line waiting, unaware wiltord has gone out. When he realises and see him on the bench, you can see he's disgusted.
It all happened fast.

[Rima067]

I am not sure about the Wiltord/Dhorasoo incident to a point. I just rewatched it and Vik was delayed coming on because they made him take off his ring. He had already run onto the pitch and they called him back.

In the meantime, Wiltord was walking along the touchline to the bench.. but, you are right in that he did not greet Dhorasoo.

[Ballon d'or Identity]

I am not sure about the Wiltord/Dhorasoo incident to a point. I just rewatched it and Vik was delayed coming on because they made him take off his ring. He had already run onto the pitch and they called him back.

In the meantime, Wiltord was walking along the touchline to the bench.. but, you are right in that he did not greet Dhorasoo.

Oh really ? Well maybe i read too much into this then.
But themood is defenatly not the one of 1998 and 2000, that's for sure.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

I think it was out of frustration more than anything really. Being an Arsenal supporter I've seen on more than one occaison that Wiltord can be very moody when things arent going well

[Nanbawan]

Wiltord is a very honest guy, he knew his (and the team's) performance yesterday was really below par.

[allezlesbleusno1]

The biggest challenge is chemistry amongst the players. That's why nobody works in tune with each other. It was quite evident when the team did not move as a block or unit up the field to set up our offense yesterday. Individually these players shine but collectively they are nothing. Unless they find a way to find cohesion amongst themselves this will prove futile. We can defend all day long, but you must be willing to score at least one goal to win a game. It does not seem like the players are trusting each other to move up and down the field collectively. Thus there is no fluidity in the movements out there. We do not necessarily need speed things up too quickly in the passing, but we must become unpredictable. We have to create from nothing.

[I-Got-The-BLUES]

And that pathetic 4-5-1 is not helping the cause.
Henry will never shine being stranded by himself up there by himself
Zidane/Henry/Ribbery definetly weren't on the same page at all.
Wiltord wasn't even in the same book as everyone else....and we could go on & on about what went wrong.

Like I said before, the 4-5-1 has to go...Trezeguet MUST start (some may disagree, but I'm sure most will agree that he has to get some minutes)
4-4-2, with both Henry and Trezegoal up top.....Henry looks like he's gonna need some time before he can find the net, so he can jus set up Trez, who will jus perch himself around the net.
......in the mid-field, Zidane up top....Ribbery playin high on the right....
Viera and Makalele can hold the back.

Prolly too offensive minded for Domenech though:o

[lefutur]

What I want to know is why no one is panicking in the Brazil camp considering there pretty weak performance against Croatia?

Slow starts are common in the WC. I think as long as France abandons using 2 defensive mids (i.e. get rid or Vieira) they will be OK.

[ruudgullit]

What I want to know is why no one is panicking in the Brazil camp considering there pretty weak performance against Croatia?



At least from what I saw of the Brazil/Croatia game....Perhaps no one is in a panic because: 1) Brazil got 3 points against the stiffest competition in their group. And personally I think Croatia is a stronger team than Switzerland. 2)they at least looked dangerous, created good chances, and played cohesively going up and down the field. Even if Croatia had scored Brazil at least seemed to have the ability to score another3) They didn't have to rely on the woodwork, their keeper's arse, or a fortuitous handball(Sagnol clearly beaten and then clearly holding the attacking player prior to the handball) to keep the ball out of their net. 4) They have the creative, goal scoring talent of Ronaldinho. Don't get me wrong I love Zidane, but the chances of him pulling a rabbit out of his hat these days are much slimmer than 5-6 years ago. 5) When you take out Ronaldo you can bring in Robinho, Fred, Juninho, or a number of other talented skillful players. When France sub we bring in Saha, Trezeguet, and then what? Dhorasoo?

I'm not on the Brazil bandwagon eventhough it may seem like it, nor am I here to condemn France. I don't want to see Zidane go out like this nor do I want to see France go out like this. Unfortunately I don't see what I would consider the strongest French team on the field or on the bench. No Giuly, Pires, Anelka, Cisse...I'm sure there are others.

The "pretty weak" performance Brazil put on is nothing compared to the "EXTREMELY WEAK " excuse for a performance that France displayed. Thank the heavens Switzerland wasn't lucky enough to score on the 3 miscues, because judging by yesterday's performance I couldn't even guess where a goal might have come from. It's just frustrating watching the same non-urgent, non-inventive style of play from WC 02 and Euro 04. Where are the attacking, inventive, "hungry" teams of 98 and 00?

[Nanbawan]

It's just frustrating watching the same non-urgent, non-inventive style of play from WC 02 and Euro 04. Where are the attacking, inventive, "hungry" teams of 98 and 00?

I don't really agree about euro04. The team was unsettled in defense, not very efficient in attack and seemed yet again physically ill prepared...But, boy ! Those attacking waves over and over in every match (especially England and Greece once we conceded the goal). People have bagged this tourney with '02 but for me that wasn't really comparable even if the end result was also disappointing.

[ruudgullit]

I don't really agree about euro04. The team was unsettled in defense, not very efficient in attack and seemed yet again physically ill prepared...But, boy ! Those attacking waves over and over in every match (especially England and Greece once we conceded the goal). People have bagged this tourney with '02 but for me that wasn't really comparable even if the end result was also disappointing.


Just curious....you don't agree with me about what part of Euro '04? You didn't think that team was for the most part pathetic? I kept thinking in the England game they're going to turn it on, they're going to turn it on...it never happened. They besieged England's goal only because England decided to go into some sort of bizarre defensive shell and not attack anymore. Saved by a bit of brilliance from Zidane is all I really remember, the first part of the game was awful and looked headed for a loss. The Croatia game could've very easily gone the other way, too. A Swiss team that was beaten 3-1(albeit a clear cut win) then ties France now 0-0? The Greece game? Same thing...where was the attacking, creative team that I watched in 98 and 00? Sitting back Not doing much and then the Greek team punches one in on a Lizarazu mistake. Then France decides to come to life to try and score? This team has been on a downhill slide since sometime around 02 or perhaps they're resting on their laurels. Even if Euro 04 was as you say, I just remember it leaving a bad memory for me compared to watching the two championships prior. No urgency!

But maybe I just remember the bad and forget the good...but as impressive as the attacking waves after they went a goal down might've been? Now perhaps that is the problem...when you boast a team with Zidane, Trez, Henry... you should take it to people and score, not wait for them to score before you spring to life!

[guignol]

[QUOTE=ilv2]hmm.. i didn't notice that! poor vikash, as much crap I've given him here, he deserves respect...QUOTE]i didn't notice it either... it turns out both of them are among my lieblingspielers :o

you may find it hard to believe, but PLG replaced him on purpose on his last match in gerland, the night we clinched our third title, to offer him an ovation and what an ovation! gerland for 5 minutes...VIKASH! VIKASH! VIKASH!...

mon dieu que c'était beau...

[Gnafron]

Malouda was the one missing against Switzerland. Abidal + Malouda is awesome because they are the only one giving pace to les Bleus.
People are so in despair here that they fell into the Ribérymania plague, but Franky is to be used as a sub for 2 or 3 games,.
Vieira, poor Vieira where are you man ? The only way you get noticed is when you commit stupid fouls.

Hopefully for us Makélélé is in good shape…

Henry alone up front will not work (i am not one of those Arsenal onanists that can be seen thoughout the media) - why ?
Simply because you have to choose between building the team around Henry and giving Zidane the playmaker role. The first choice isn't one as long as Zidane is in the team.
If you want Zidane to be the heart of the team Henry cannot play alone: you have to pair him with Trezeguet (or Saha).

The real choice is: either 1 defensive midfield or 2 ? 4-1-3-2 or 4-2-3-1 ?
The answer is simple: Makélélé should be the one playing.

Barthez
Sagnol Thuram Gallas Abidal
Makélélé
X Zidane Malouda
Trézeguet Henry


X could be Dhorasoo, Govou, Wiltord, Ribéry but not Vieira

Now with that system Vieira is benched and comes in when France is leading, replacing Zidane

Please, Domenech not Henry alone upfront, that'll screw us…

[Ballon d'or Identity]

This team has been on a downhill slide since sometime around 02 or perhaps they're resting on their laurels.

We've gone downhill ever since March 2002 whenwe beat Scotland 5-0 at home. This was a dream match, i don't know if some here have seen it, but the level of play and fluidity in the game was outstanding.
Then one month later we faced Russia (0-0) and from there, nothing, like that without any warning.
Football is cruel sometimes.

[guignol]

We've gone downhill ever since March 2002 whenwe beat Scotland 5-0 at home. This was a dream match, i don't know if some here have seen it, but the level of play and fluidity in the game was outstanding.
Then one month later we faced Russia (0-0) and from there, nothing, like that without any warning.
Football is cruel sometimes.the dream match was in 2003 in gelsenkirchen when we beat germany 0-3. les bleus rocked. i have lots of corresponents in germany, and they'd call me saying things like germany is a good solid team, but what chance does anyone have against artists like that?

[I-Got-The-BLUES]

The real choice is: either 1 defensive midfield or 2 ? 4-1-3-2 or 4-2-3-1 ?
The answer is simple: Makélélé should be the one playing.

Barthez
Sagnol Thuram Gallas Abidal
Makélélé
X Zidane Malouda
Trézeguet Henry


X could be Dhorasoo, Govou, Wiltord, Ribéry but not Vieira

Now with that system Vieira is benched and comes in when France is leading, replacing Zidane

Please, Domenech not Henry alone upfront, that'll screw us…

I like that a little bit more, opposed to the 4-4-2 i suggested. (The 4-1-3-2 that is)
Definetly wouldn't put Wiltord there....would give the nod to Ribery or Dhorasoo...leaning more towards Ribery.

[Ballon d'or Identity]

the dream match was in 2003 in gelsenkirchen when we beat germany 0-3. les bleus rocked. i have lots of corresponents in germany, and they'd call me saying things like germany is a good solid team, but what chance does anyone have against artists like that?

Yes, but there was no after, after this win. I remember it as being a moment of class when we were beginning to struggle.
Before the scottish match, it was pure joy watching this team. I remember against most of the teams coming to France, it wasn't about if we were going to win, it was more "how many are we going to put at the back of their net".
They looked invincibled. AHHHH good all times.

By the way, you wouldn't have a link to the highlights of this win would you ?
Just to cheer me up a bit. Would be enourmously appreciated right now.

[ruudgullit]

the dream match was in 2003 in gelsenkirchen when we beat germany 0-3. les bleus rocked. i have lots of corresponents in germany, and they'd call me saying things like germany is a good solid team, but what chance does anyone have against artists like that?

Perhaps I was a bit premature with the "downhill slide" in 02. They did come through their Euro 04 qualifying on a tremendous unbeaten run. Somewhere in and around there though things started to break down.