Match Amical: France v. Suede 08/20/08 [R]

[AfrcnHrbMan]

21:00 CET 3:00 EST
Goteburg, Sweden

YAY Now we get everybodys dream pairing of Gallas and Mexès at charnière, now we can stop talking about it endlessly :p. Apparently the pair have only played 66 minutes together in 6 years!! This should be interesting. Great test for les bleus, and against a solid national team in the swedes. L'equipe says we are going with a 442 and Mandanda will start in net, though Lloris is expected to see some time. We got a young keeper revolution going on in side after having geezers between the sticks for so long. Sagna is getting the respect that he deserves by taking the starting spot in Willy's absence. But we again lack creativity in the center of midfield with L. Diarra and Toulalan expected to start. Maybe somethings do never change. Henry, naturally is captain. God bless him.

Le onze de départ : Mandanda - Sagna, Mexès, Gallas, Evra - Govou, Toulalan, L. Diarra, Malouda - Henry (cap.), Benzema.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

This is actually a really good game. Must be a bad hour to watch, though, in the States like I am.

[Fonsos]

Ain't this a B...tch

Five goals scored in this match and four scored by Lyon players.
This is pretty damn funny to me.

A+,
Fonsos

[lefutur]

How did Mandanda look?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Mandanda was awesome. He really did not have a shot at stopping the goal, and he came up with a lot of good saves after that.

[sebastien21]

really good game today. Benzema was awesome. He played alot better today then in the Euros & Henrys back heel to Govou was class.. i know its just a friendly but i'm really happy to see France playing well again. Also happy to see Yoann Gourcuff get his first cap.:cool:

[Kazuma]

Good that we're playing well again.

As much as I dislike Raymond I'm giving him one more chance to get things right.

[prvev]

Mandanda was awesome. He really did not have a shot at stopping the goal, and he came up with a lot of good saves after that.

Good to hear. I was going to ask the same question.

I'll have to catch highlights at some point...I too am glad to hear that they played good football. Hopefully it lasts.

[Inara]

The defense wasn't reassuring at all. And this is in a friendly against Sweden, who were missing Ibrahimovic, their most dangerous player. I can't believe I'm saying this, but having two DMs is what kept the scoreline in our favor.

[Fonsos]

The defense wasn't reassuring at all. And this is in a friendly against Sweden, who were missing Ibrahimovic, their most dangerous player. I can't believe I'm saying this, but having two DMs is what kept the scoreline in our favor.

Even without Ibrahimovic, Sweden is still a very good team. I'm happy with the scoreline. Keep in mind we're without both Ribery and Nasri. I'm not worried about the defense, they'll be there when we need them and hopefully this is the start of something beautiful from an offensive perspective. Govou comes through again when given the opportunity and the Benzema - Henry connection is getting better.

I like the new jerseys and can't wait to get one soon.

A+,
Fonsos

[N. Platini]

really good game today. Benzema was awesome. He played alot better today then in the Euros & Henrys back heel to Govou was class.. i know its just a friendly but i'm really happy to see France playing well again. Also happy to see Yoann Gourcuff get his first cap.:cool:

What , 30 seconds ? :D

Malouda actually played well :eek: Didn't expect that either , I still think the team needs a whole change because it doesn't really look any different from the Euro team .

[Fonsos]

What , 30 seconds ? :D

Malouda actually played well :eek: Didn't expect that either , I still think the team needs a whole change because it doesn't really look any different from the Euro team .

Well since you put it out there, why not share it with the rest of us. What is the make up of your whole new France squad?

:rolleyes:
Fonsos

[Kazuma]

What , 30 seconds ? :D

Malouda actually played well :eek: Didn't expect that either , I still think the team needs a whole change because it doesn't really look any different from the Euro team .

Just be glad that Thuram is retired after what seemed to be an eternity. He was good but parts of the 98 squad are already moving on. I want a change as much as the next guy but be patient! If Raymond has hopefully learned anything it's to stop being an idiot when choosing players and to do so based on form, not star signs or leagues that one hates.

Sometimes people can't be easy to please. I am willing to give Raymond another chance after some thinking as hopefully this past summer has nailed some common sense into his head. We have plenty of players with good potential, there's hope.

[lefutur]

Maybe the defense was kind of bad but I think that is easier fixed than not being able to score goals which has been France's problem forever.

Doesn't it seem that Govou only scores goals with both feet off the ground?

[AfrcnHrbMan]

overall good performance from les bleus. The defense was shaky, especially in the second half. Gallas is a world class defender, but he is prone to mental lapses, that I am a witness to week in and week out. Sagna had a good game, though he did get his head turned on a couple of occasions. Malouda finally played well, and more importantly, Henry had his best game in blue in a while. Henry has looked good this season, and this might signal a turnaround in form for him. Benzema was his typical dangerous self, and was real close to putting that header in early in the second half. Toulalan is a beast, and set up the first two french goals with some amazing passing. He without a doubt has solidfied his posistion as a first choice call up. I hope this game has silenced a few Govou detractors, as you can see what he can contribute if the offense is actually playing to their abilities. He had a great game.

[Inara]

Doesn't it seem that Govou only scores goals with both feet off the ground?

Govou misses a lot of chances, but when he does score, his goals are almost always spectacular. He rarely scores a "normal" goal.

[Fonsos]

I watched the first half last night - I'll watch the remainder tonight.
Based on what I saw in the first half from the defense, I didn't see anything of major concern. The screw up that led to a nice finish by Larsson, is an easy fix and appeared to be a classic miscommunication error by a group not used to working with one another. The front line is looking damn good and it's only a matter of time before "Titi" and Benzema really start to connect on some amazing finishes. I'm not sure what's up with those that aren't high on Govou and I could care less. He definitely works his ass off when he plays for France and has scored some sweet ass goals (in my world all goals scored by a team I support are sweet).

It was great to see Mexes on the backline. What happens to the midfield when Nasri, Flamini and Ben Arfa are available? Will Gomis make a return or was he a one hit wonder. I'd like to see more of Gourcuff.

A+,
Fonsos

[N. Platini]

Well since you put it out there, why not share it with the rest of us. What is the make up of your whole new France squad?

:rolleyes:
Fonsos

:rolleyes: right back at you .

Well first of all I wouldn't have Govou our starting line up , apart from the Italie game what has he ever done in a blue shirt ?

We carry players who are clearly past it , Thuram & Makelele not to long ago , Henry who's been totally useless for his club , why should he start in our NT ? Does he even deserve a call-up from his crap performances ? Again what's he ever done in a blue shirt when we needed him the most ? Gallas can't defend to save his life , brings bad influence in the team , replace him with Squillaci or Escudé .

This would be my ideal team :

Mandanda , Sagna , Mexes , Escudé , Evra - Nasri , Ribéry , Toulalan , Bodmer , Nasri - Benzema , (David would've been a good partner for Benz but of course our idiotic coach makes him quit)

As of now , our NT is going nowhere as long as the fools at FFF continue to believe in Domenech . Prepare for more failure .