Your Starting 11 Against Togo

[Zaius]

Henry-Trezeguet
Malouda-Dhorasoo
Makelele-Diarra
Silvestre-Gallas-Thuram-Sagnol
Barthez

3 replacements will be:

-Ribery for Dhorasoo at halftime
-Saha for Trezeguet in case of problems (scoring or otherwise)
-Vieira for Diarra in case of problems (unlikely, most likely the 3rd sub will be an misc sub depending on how game goes)

Reasoning:

Reason I start Diarra instead of Vieira is I think we need more than 30 minutes' worth of energy. The reason we stopped playing after 30 minutes against Korea is, I think, old age. Love Vieira, but he's not the runner we need.

Reason I start Trezeguet instead of Saha is that the reason I believe the Henry/Trezeguet duo has been lackluster in the past is because of relatively competent defenses that have been faced. If Trezeguet is faced with a porous defence, I think the floodgates could open.

Reason for Dhorasoo starting is that we have seen Ribery is great and energetic but he seems to have trouble pacing himself. I want to make sure we get his full energy for a half time.

Overall reasoning:

This team is much younger than its previous counterparts. The reason I am making such a drastic change is because the first two games lacked energy from the midfield with a few exceptions. I want a fully energetic midfield. Our younger, second string midfielders are actually quite skilled. We're giving up very little skill for a lot of energy by doing this.

Please tell us who you think should be the starting 11.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Barthez
Sagnol Thuram Gallas Givet
Makelele
Wiltord Malouda
Dhorasoo


Trezeguet Henry


Sub Ribery for either Wiltord or Dhorasoo depending on whos struggling
Sub Malouda for Saha if were not winning by 2 goals by the 60-65 min.

[allezlesbleusno1]

I'd be willing to go with a more radical approach: 4-3-3

Barthez

Sagnol Thuram Gallas Givet

Makelele

Dhorasoo Malouda

Saha Trezeguet Henry


Sub: Dhorasoo- Ribery and Maloud- Govou and Makelele - Vieira

Let the goal feasting beginning if we can achieve that at least. Who knew I'd ever have question such a feat with such offensive players as Saha, Trezeguet, and Henry!?!

[lefutur]

Whatever the line-up I think it is imperative to get rid of the 2 defensive mids strategy. Vieira shouldn't start at all IMO.

I think a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 with only Makelele in front of the back 4 will provide the much needed attacking strength to score more goals.

[allezlesbleusno1]

Precisely, it's time to Joga Bonito...accelerate the pace of the game, bring back the fluidity lost in the game! We need to score, we need moral victories here...with the quality of players we have we should be able to run this score up!
Whatever the line-up I think it is imperative to get rid of the 2 defensive mids strategy. Vieira shouldn't start at all IMO.

I think a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 with only Makelele in front of the back 4 will provide the much needed attacking strength to score more goals.

[Zaius]

Whatever the line-up I think it is imperative to get rid of the 2 defensive mids strategy. Vieira shouldn't start at all IMO.

I think a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 with only Makelele in front of the back 4 will provide the much needed attacking strength to score more goals.

You know what, I think you're right. There's no need for 2 defensive midfields. Let's try 4-1-2-3:

Henry-Trezeguet-Saha
Malouda-Dhorasoo
Makelele
Silvestre-Gallas-Thuram-Sagnol
Barthez

With Ribery for Malouda, Vieira for Makelele if necessary, and Govou for any of the offensive midfielders/forwards that needs to be replaced.

I like this more! my lineup pretty much looks like allezlesbleusno1's lineup. Let's hope Domenech's lineup looks like ours (doubtful :()

[ilv2]

You know what? Let's start Ribery - he couldn't handle his first start against the swiss, ok fine. But a start against togo in a critical match will send him a clear message, and hopefully, instill him with the confidence he lead the attacking midfield. It's clear that people are looking to him anyways - hell, even Zidane said when Franck gets on the pitch, everybody looks for him (and not simply because he has fresh legs)
No doubt starting him would be a gamble, but I have a gut feeling that he is up to the challenge.

Or perhaps i'm just going crazy.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Sorry wasn't able to throw caution and the wind, and I tried to make something that could actually envision Domenech using. If I had my way we would be running a 4-3-3 right now.

[Zaius]

Sorry wasn't able to throw caution and the wind, and I tried to make something that could actually envision Domenech using. If I had my way we would be running a 4-3-3 right now.

I think everyone but Domenech would. What are the chances that the only guy who wouldn't run a 4-3-3 happens to be the coach?

[allezlesbleusno1]

Ce mardi dans L'Equipe, les schémas tactiques que le selectionneur des Bleus, Raymond Domenech, pourrait appliquer pour vaincre le Togo, vendredi, à Cologne, sans Zinédine Zidane.

Première option : un n°10 dans le même système de jeu avec Vikash Dhorasoo, ce qui permettrait de maintenir le 4-2-3-1, utilisé depuis le début de la Coupe du monde. Deuxième option : un n°10 en changeant de système avec, par exemple la titularisation de Franck Ribéry et le recours au 4-3-1-2. Troisième option : sans n°10 avec une ou deux pointes et l'adoption d'un 4-4-2, qui permettrait le retour de Louis Saha ou de David Trezeguet aux côtés de Thierry Henry.

Although I'd rather go with a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation, I would rather settle with the 4-4-2, than the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-1-2!

http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/20062006/53/presse-mardi-dans-l-equipe.html

[franco]

...instead of the starting 11, you should really worry about YOUR COACH...he is such and idiot and it does not matter what your 11 would do in the field, he is just gonna go out there and ******** it all up...

...I WANNA SEE TREZE!!!!....:mad:

[Allez Lyonnais]

---------------Henry----Trez----------------
-------------------Ribery--------------------
--Malouda---------------------------Wiltord--
------------------Makelele-------------------
-Gallas-------------------------------Sagnol-
------------Givet---------Thuram------------
------------------Barthez--------------------
----------------└────┘-------------------

2nd half subs: Saha for Trez, Dhorasoo for Wiltord (switching Ribery to the righthand side)

[blackjack]

I think the ideal lineup would be something like this

-------------Coupet
------Gallas--Thuram---Givet
---------------Makalele---------
--------Dhorasoo------Vieira-------------Malouda
---------------------Ribery
-----------Saha------------Henry

Looks funny, so I'll explain how it works. The three backs, especially Gallas, are all capable of playing well in a three man backline. To make this formation work defensively, though, Malouda must play essentially as a wing-back. He runs. And runs and runs and runs. It becomes 4-4-2 in defense, with Malouda becoming the left-back. Gallas plays to the right of center because he has enough pace to make up for the absence of a wing-back on that side, while the same cannot be said of Givet. This plays like 3-5-2 in attack. When France are attacking, Malouda overlaps on the left, and Ribery is a true libero. He can do as he pleases, whether that is sliding out right or acting as a linking player. This gives the risk of leaving the middle open, so Makalele must do the work of two men in stopping the counter. I've seen him do it time and time again for Chelsea, so I have no doubt he can do it for France as well. The thing that this formation is vulnerable against is the long ball, so Vieira must pressure hard in the midfield to deny them the time to provide good service to Adebayor. He can (and should) be subbed out for Diarra at half-time because he will have to expend a ton of energy defending the middle of the field.

Of course Domenech will never try this. But I would love to see it.

[allezlesbleusno1]

Interesting formation, I wouldn't mind to see it. Only concern is that Malouda would be worn out from always having to run back and forth into position, but he has the stamina at his age. This lineup theoretically should work against Togo as I don't see them doing too many long balls, and nevermind them being accurate either.
I think the ideal lineup would be something like this

-------------Coupet
------Gallas--Thuram---Givet
---------------Makalele---------
--------Dhorasoo------Vieira-------------Malouda
---------------------Ribery
-----------Saha------------Henry

Looks funny, so I'll explain how it works. The three backs, especially Gallas, are all capable of playing well in a three man backline. To make this formation work defensively, though, Malouda must play essentially as a wing-back. He runs. And runs and runs and runs. It becomes 4-4-2 in defense, with Malouda becoming the left-back. Gallas plays to the right of center because he has enough pace to make up for the absence of a wing-back on that side, while the same cannot be said of Givet. This plays like 3-5-2 in attack. When France are attacking, Malouda overlaps on the left, and Ribery is a true libero. He can do as he pleases, whether that is sliding out right or acting as a linking player. This gives the risk of leaving the middle open, so Makalele must do the work of two men in stopping the counter. I've seen him do it time and time again for Chelsea, so I have no doubt he can do it for France as well. The thing that this formation is vulnerable against is the long ball, so Vieira must pressure hard in the midfield to deny them the time to provide good service to Adebayor. He can (and should) be subbed out for Diarra at half-time because he will have to expend a ton of energy defending the middle of the field.

Of course Domenech will never try this. But I would love to see it.

[guignol]

I think we need to change things as little as possible, since the present alignment seems to be gelling. but there are player choices for the spots that may surprise.

Barthez

Sagnol--Thuram--Gallas--Malouda

Viera---Makalele

Wiltord----Ribery----Henry

Trezeguet

and USE subs!

depending on who gets tired first, chimbonda, diarra, dhorasoo and even govou should be ready to do 30 minutes or even a half.

[ilv2]

I think the ideal lineup would be something like this

-------------Coupet
------Gallas--Thuram---Givet
---------------Makalele---------
--------Dhorasoo------Vieira-------------Malouda
---------------------Ribery
-----------Saha------------Henry

you're forgetting Sagnol. You can therefore move Gallas over as a FB and take out Givet.

[Zaius]

you're forgetting Sagnol. You can therefore move Gallas over as a FB and take out Givet.

I think he purposefully left out Sagnol.

[ilv2]

I think he purposefully left out Sagnol.

why? sagnol is impeccable down that flank both in attack and in defense

[guignol]

why? sagnol is impeccable down that flank both in attack and in defensefor 60', 75' tops.

i think he should start, but when willy gets tired (and he obviously does) WHERE IS CHIMBONDA? why the hell did ray pick him if it's just to sit on the bench?

[guignol]

this from maxifoot:

togo coach otto pfister indicated to FIFA, "i'm getting my players ready for the last match. four or five of them haven't had a chance to play yet. now i'm going to give the youngest players a chance to learn."

sounds good!