Does France depend too much on their Megastars?

[Lusankya]

It's funny, after the WC 06 I thought france will still be a great team, even without Zidane. But now they sucked during the EUROs and lost 1-3 to Austria!

France appeared in 5 WC semis and 4 EURO semis so far, but if you only consider the semis they reached without Platini or Zidane then it's only 1 appearance in each tournament. 50 years ago!

What do you think? Is it just nonsense and France will be good again, when they get a new coach or did they rely too much on their "Legends" (Platini, Zidane)?

[thepremierleague]

Argentina wouldnt have won the WC in 1986 without Maradona, so what every team needs stars to win, apart from a few rare wins like Greece and Denmark.

[johan neeskens]

It's funny, after the WC 06 I thought france will still be a great team, even without Zidane. But now they sucked during the EUROs and lost 1-3 to Austria!

France appeared in 5 WC semis and 4 EURO semis so far, but if you only consider the semis they reached without Platini or Zidane then it's only 1 appearance in each tournament. 50 years ago!

What do you think? Is it just nonsense and France will be good again, when they get a new coach or did they rely too much on their "Legends" (Platini, Zidane)?

Judging on Euro 2008, Italy is in more trouble than France in my view.

[BocaFan]

Judging on Euro 2008, Italy is in more trouble than France in my view.

France were not only worse but also more dreary than Italy in Euro 2008. Do you really see Italy having any trouble qualifying from that group? France OTOH are in a heap of trouble!

Anyway, last weekend's games should put the final nail in the coffin for the argument that Italy-France-Scotland-Ukraine was the group of death in Euro 2008 qualifying. Unless by "death" they mean fans want to hang themselves after watching any of those teams play. :cool:

[lost]

at least youi didnt have to watch england during this time. playing dull football can be unbearable, but playing amateur football with champions league winning players, involves far more pain than just boredom.

[Kazuma]

Sooner Domenech is out the better.

[Duck Manson]

The problem with France is they have one of the worst managers in football history.

[essie]

The problem with France is they have one of the worst managers in football history.

Do not forget the fact that they are French as well.

[Duck Manson]

Do not forget the fact that they are French as well.Yeah, that never helps....

[blanc]

Hey, I agree with DM! :p

I think they do; but it seems the new generation is a 'new <insertsuperstarnamehere>' left right centre, so this new generation will probably consist of Benzema, Nasri, Ribery, Toulalan, Mexes, etc etc ..

And they can all be considered (at the very least, potential) stars, and thats 5/11, so hopefully, France will become a great team with the 'x factor' that only star players can provide.

[Duck Manson]

hopefully, France will become a great teamEh, as long as Dumbneck isn't the coach.

[johan neeskens]

France were not only worse but also more dreary than Italy in Euro 2008.


The French had moments where they showed how well they can play. I don't think I've seen a single outstanding Italian moment.

[johan neeskens]

Hey, I agree with DM! :p

I think they do; but it seems the new generation is a 'new <insertsuperstarnamehere>' left right centre, so this new generation will probably consist of Benzema, Nasri, Ribery, Toulalan, Mexes, etc etc ..

And they can all be considered (at the very least, potential) stars, and thats 5/11, so hopefully, France will become a great team with the 'x factor' that only star players can provide.

You'll be fine. Like I said, I think Italy have much more of a problem esp in the longer term.

[Duck Manson]

You'll be fine. Like I said, I think Italy have much more of a problem esp in the longer term.:confused: I'm sure this was a joke. Saying France has superior young talent to Italy.

[johan neeskens]

:confused: I'm sure this was a joke. Saying France has superior young talent to Italy.

No it wasn't. Italy are in a bit of an identity crisis I reckon.

[Duck Manson]

No it wasn't. Italy are in a bit of an identity crisis I reckon.Chiellini, Aquilani, Giovinco = no identity crisis in sight.

[JuveFE]

[QUOTE=johan neeskens;15692968]No it wasn't. Italy are in a bit of an identity crisis I reckon.[/QUOTE

What are you talking about??

explain

[johan neeskens]

[QUOTE=johan neeskens;15692968]No it wasn't. Italy are in a bit of an identity crisis I reckon.[/QUOTE

What are you talking about??

explain

They've adopted a more attacking style of play and as a result they're now at their weakest where they once were at their strongest (i.e. defensively) and I can't see it working for them as there are better attacking national teams.

[BocaFan]

The French had moments where they showed how well they can play. I don't think I've seen a single outstanding Italian moment.

Well, Buffon had some outstanding moments. That's about it though.



They've adopted a more attacking style of play and as a result they're now at their weakest where they once were at their strongest (i.e. defensively) and I can't see it working for them as there are better attacking national teams.

Seemed to work for them in WC 2006.

The more attack-minded teams tend to be the most inconsistent. As a Dutch follower, you should know this. And we've seen that with Italy the past 3 years.

[evangel]

Seemed to work for them in WC 2006.

Well, most of the matches Italy played there could have easily turned into a loss. Like you said, playing the way they did in the 2006 World Cup won't help them consistently. They've managed to do just enough the past two years, in large part due to their opponents' failure rather than their own play. If they ever went on some long losing streak I would not be surprised.