[puntu]

Could anybody use this template and do something similar for France?

ARGENTINA

COACH
José PEKERMAN
Favors a slow, ball possession style of game. Is used to making lineup and tactic changes between games in short tournaments.

Favorite tactics:
1) 3-4-1-2
2) 4-3-1-2
3) 3-3-2-2

PROBABLE LINEUP: Abbondanzieri; Coloccini, Ayala, Heinze; Zanetti, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Sorín; Riquelme; Tévez, Crespo


GOALKEEPERS

Roberto ABBONDANZIERI
Boca Juniors
Very experienced. Has been playing at a high level for his club for the last few years. However, he has been terrible in the national squad. Seems nervous when playing for Argentina. Pretty good at saving penalty shots.
Chances of making final roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 90%

Germán LUX
River Plate
Young. Barely a year as starter in the league. Won the Olympics without conceding a goal. Very athletic.
Chances of making final roster: 85%
Chances of starting: 5%

Leo FRANCO
Atlético Madrid
Nothing special.
Chances of making final roster: 75%
Chances of starting: 5%


DEFENSE

Javier ZANETTI
Inter - Right back, Right midfielder
Amazing ball control from box to box but finishes every play the wrong way. Can't defend.

Fabricio COLOCCINI
Dep. La Coruña - Central defender, Right back, defensive midfielder
Tall. Very good defender. Makes good headers. Makes too many fouls.
Chances of making final roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 50%

Roberto AYALA
Valencia - Sweeper, central defender
Overrated. Great air game. Has lots of problems when left one on one with opponents.
Chances of making final roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 100%

Gabriel HEINZE
Manchester Utd - Central defender, left back
Suffered a serious injury and could miss the World Cup. If he's healthy, he'll start. Awesome defender. Great heart and guts. Can take free kicks.
Chances of making final roster: 60% (100% if healthy)
Chances of starting: 40% (100% if healthy)

Walter SAMUEL
Inter - Central defender
A few years ago might have been the best central defender in the world. The move to Real Madrid doomed him but now he seems to be recovering his previous level. Big, strong, tough, aggressive. Has good air game.
Chances of making final roster: 90%
Chances of starting: 30%

Gabriel MILITO
Zaragoza - Central defender, sweeper
Solid defender, always in good position. Right now might be better than Ayala.
Chances of making final roster: 75%
Chances of starting: 5%

Juan Pablo SORÍN
Villarreal - Left back, left midfielder
Great technique. Heart and guts. Effort. Gets to the opponents' box in almost every attack. He moves up through the wing but usually cuts toward the box, which sometimes makes him more dangerous than Roberto Carlos or Cafu. Very chaotic, though, should calm down a bit. Team captain.
Chances of making final roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 100%


MIDFIELD

Luis GONZÁLEZ
Porto - Right midfielder
Lost of talent. No heart. Tall. Finness style. Scores pretty often.
Chances of making final roster: 70%
Chances of starting: 40%

Maxi RODRÍGUEZ
Atlético Madrid - Right midfielder
Great pace. Good long shots.
Chances of making roster: 50%
Chances of starting: 10%

Mario SANTANA
Palermo - Right midfielder
Strange blend of effort, defense and technique.
Chances of making roster: 50%
Chances of starting: 10%

Javier MASCHERANO
Corinthians - Defensive midfielder
Great at recovering the ball and good technique to handle it. Is recovering from a serious injury.
Chances of making roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 90%

Esteban CAMBIASSO
Inter - Defensive midfielder
Mainly an offensive midfielder that starts from behind. Can't play all alone in the midfield. Needs to share the area with a defensive player like Mascherano.
Scores often. Has good technique and vision.
Chances of making roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 95%

Sebastián BATTAGLIA
Boca Juniors - Defensive midfielder, right midfielder
Similar to Mascherano with less technique but better air game. Good long shots. Very experienced.
Chances of making roster: 50%
Chances of starting: 5%

Lucas BERNARDI
Monaco - Defensive midfielder
Very short. Doesn't do anything specially well.
Chances of making roster: 30%
Chances of starting: 0%

Martín DEMICHELIS
Bayern Munich - Defensive midfielder, central defender
Big, strong. Honestly, I haven't seen him enough.
Chances of making roster: 20%
Chances of starting: 0%

Cristian GONZÁLEZ
Inter - Left midfielder
Quick. Great pace. Passionate. Always gets in trouble with referees. Mainly an offensive option. Experienced.
Chances of making roster: 75%
Chances of starting: 15%

Daniel BILOS
Boca Juniors - Left midfielder, striker
Absolutely amazing player. Incredibly talented. Very, very tall. Awesome air game. Scores a lot. Croatia's coach wanted him to play for them.
Chances of making roster: 20%
Chances of starting: 0%

Juan Román RIQUELME
Villarreal - Attacking midfielder
World class talent. Probably the best assister in the world. Amazing at taking free kicks. Kicks penalties. Slow. Sometimes disappears from the pitch.
Chances of making roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 100%

Pablo AIMAR
Valencia - Attacking midfielder
Talented. Very brittle. He's always injured. Doesn't deliver in the national squad. Good at dribbling.
Chances of making roster: 65%
Chances of starting: 10%

Lionel MESSI
Barcelona - Attacking midfielder, forward
Very, very young and small. Huge talent. Won Youth World Cup. Can drive you crazy. Makes great assists.
Chances of making roster: 80%
Chances of starting: 20%

Andrés D'ALESSANDRO
Wolfsburg - Attacking midfielder
A few years ago he was the big hope, like Messi now. He has faded since moving to Germany. Very talented. Small. Can take free kicks.
Chances of making roster: 40%
Chances of starting: 5%

Sergio AGÜERO
Independiente - Attacking midfielder
The newest star. Very young. Similar to Messi but covers the ball much better. Scores a lot.
Chances of making roster: 15%
Chances of starting: 0%

Juan Sebastián VERÓN
Inter - Attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, left midfielder, right midfielder
Almost every pundit wants him in the national squad but Pekerman won't call him. Talented, finnesse player. Slow. Lacks heart. The symbol of the 2002 failure.
Chances of making roster: 1%
Chances of starting: 0%


ATTACK

Hernán CRESPO
Chelsea - Striker
Great scorer. Big, strong. Good air game. All he does is score goals. Experienced.
Chances of making roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 100%

Carlos TÉVEZ
Corinthians - Forward, striker
Awesome talent. Strong. Named best player in Brazilian tournament. Great scorer.
Chances of making roster: 90%
Chances of starting: 40%

Javier SAVIOLA
Seville - Forward, striker
Overrated by Pekerman. Very small. Quick, elusive. Can dribble. Not much of a scorer.
Chances of making roster: 100%
Chances of starting: 40%

Luciano FIGUEROA
Villarreal - Striker
Good scorer but nothing special. Good air game.
Chances of making roster: 40%
Chances of starting: 0%

Julio CRUZ
Inter - Striker
A stiff. Has some good scoring streaks that defy logic.
Chances of making roster: 20%
Chances of starting: 0%

Cesar DELGADO
Cruz Azul - Forward
Very quick, usually plays on the right wing. Makes great crosses. Scores often too. Young.
Chances of making roster: 25%
Chances of starting: 5%

Luciano GALLETTI
Atlético Madrid - Forward
Small, stocky. Nothing special. He shouldn't be in the national squad.
Chance of making roster: 20%
Chances of starting: 0%

[gaijin]

France

COACH
Raymond Domenech - shite (I saw it in the stars)

I would probably say France will go for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Henry almost playing left side free role, coming in from deep.

But knowing Ray we just don't know, I would go;

Coupet (or Barthez???)

Sagnol---Thuram---Gallas---Evra

Makelele---Vieria

Wiltord---Zizou---Henry

Trez

[gaijin]

France



Capital City: Paris

Official Language: French

County Population: 60,656,178 (7th out of 32)
Country Size: 547,030 km² (10th out of 32)

National Anthem: La Marseillaise

France, major industrialized nation in western Europe. France is the third largest country in Europe, after Russia and Ukraine, and the fourth most populous. Officially the French Republic (République Française), the nation includes ten overseas possessions, most of them remnants of France’s former colonial empire. Paris is the nation’s capital and largest city.

Roughly hexagonal in shape, France shares boundaries with Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast; Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to the east; and Spain and Andorra to the southwest. In the northwest, France is bounded by the English Channel. At the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the channel, France and England are separated by just 34 km (21 mi). France faces three major seas: the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the North Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast.

France is a nation of varied landscapes, ranging from coastal lowlands and broad plains in the north, to hilly uplands in south central France, to lush valleys and towering, snow-capped Alps in the east. Mountainous and hilly areas lie on nearly all of France’s borders, creating a series of natural boundaries for the country. Only the nation’s northeastern border is largely unprotected. Several major rivers drain France, including the Seine, Loire, Garonne, and Rhône.

France is highly urbanized. Three-quarters of the population lives in cities, including more than ten million people in the metropolitan area of Paris, the most densely populated region in France. The French are among the healthiest, wealthiest, and best-educated people in the world. A comprehensive social welfare system is in place, guaranteeing all citizens a minimal standard of living and health care. Most citizens speak French, the principal language. The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism.



Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)

Website: www.fff.fr/bleus/index.shtml
Fansite: www.bleusdefrance.com

FIFA World Ranking: 5th

WC Participations: 11
Previous WC: Eliminated in Group Stage
Best result: Winners (1998)

Odds to Win WC: 13/1
Odds to Win Group: 3/2

Coach: Rayomond Domenech - Was appointed after the Euro 2004 for the departed Jacques Santini. He has failed to win over most of the fans and media with his negative approach to games and his willingness to overlook most talented French players playing abroad. Despite being forced into playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, this essentially gives the team more edge and flexibility when Henry and Trezeguet are fit, effectively turning the formation into 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-3 with Wiltord pushing forward to right wing or pushing back into the centre alongside Makelele and Vieira. The formation thus allows Malouda or Dhorasoo in this case to generally switch between either flank and give support to the wings and/or widemen, becoming at times a rather staggered 4-2-1-1-2 formation. Henry plays most effectively on the left side, using his pace to drift into the centre behind Trezeguet up front as the target man. The back 4 is pretty standard with Sagnol and Thuram on the right and Givet and Gallas on the left. Despite being overlooked, Evra appears to be the natural left sided option thus allowing Gallas to push into the centre. However given past tactical desicions, it would appear that Gallas will be more used on the left than in the centre.

Favourite Formations:

a) 4-2-3-1
b) 4-3-1-2
c) 4-3-3
d) 4-2-2-2

Probable Lineup;

Coupet (or Barthez)

Sagnol---Thuram---Givet---Gallas

Makelele---Vieria

Wiltord---Zizou---Henry

Trez

Or:

Coupet (or Barthez)

Sagnol---Thuram---Givet---Gallas

Makelele---Vieria---Wiltord

Zizou

Trez---Henry

Goalkeepers:

Fabien Barthez (Marseille) - 100% to be called up, 50% to start; Proven at international level and has been a stalwart in the Les Bleus goal, however a six month suspension and some poor mistakes mean that he is far from no1 choice and will in direct competition with Coupet for the no1 jersey. Very agile and has cat-like reflexes in the goal, is suspect on crosses as he showed against Costa Rica recently.

Grégory Coupet (Olympique Lyonnais) - 100%, 45%; Seen by fans and the media a like as the future no1, he took on the task on taking over Barthez during the Marseille keeper's suspension and proved his mantle and his desire to be able to become no1. Current form leading up to the tournament, may well see him as the starting choice over Barthez. A key player for Lyon who commands the area well and is an excellent shot stopper.

Mickaël Landreau (FC Nantes) - 70%, 5%; Won't see much action because of the other two, but has often been called up Domenech as 3rd choice and this pattern will continue in the finals. Very agile and athletic and is currently the captain of Nantes

Sébastien Frey (Fiorentina, Italy) - 10%, 0%; The Fiorentina keeper seldom gets chance to play for France and gets over looked in most selections - this will continue, however a good season with the CL hopefuls in Serie A, could earn him a call up in place of Landreau. Again a very athletic and agile keeper.

Right backs:

Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich, Germany) - 80%, 60%; The Bayern Munich right back has been an ever present recently under Domenech since Thuram coverted into the centre. Hardworking and rigorous, gets the job done for France when it matters.

Anthony Réveillère (Olympique Lyonnais) - 70%, 30%; The Lyon defender who can play equlaly on either side of defence has struggled with form and injury but if fit should be in Les Bleus selection. Very good going forward and can link up well with the attack and give the team a lot of dimension and shape.

Jonathan Zebina (Juventus, Italy) - 20%, 5%; The Juventus defender has also had problems with injuries and as a reuslt may struggle to find a place in the setup, however if he stays fit, he may be considered. Strongly built, who is equally as comortable trackign back as he is getting forward when needed.

Bernard Mendy (Paris St-Germain) - 50%, 10%; The PSG wideman, is a favourite of Domenech of late, it will take some key injuries for him to start, but can play either as a right back or as a right winger. Blessed with quick pace and work-rate.

Left Backs:

Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyonnais) - 80%, 40%; A player who seems to be on the treatment table more than on the pitch - Abidal appears to be one of the most promising players for Les Bleus to come from Lyon. Very strong, powerful and atheltic. He is the left sided player of what Thuram was in 98. However his persistent injuries could be his downfall.

Patrice Evra (AS Monaco) - 10%, 5%; Despute being a tidy little left-back, the coach appears to overlook him in nearly every selection - especially frustrating given the paucity of decent left-backs on offer for the team. Looked a real star during Monaco's run in the CL a few years back and is slowly trying to win his place in the side in a currently inconsistent Monaco side.

Gael Clichy (Arsenal, England) - 0%, 0%; Possibly the future LB for France. Age is on his side, but is currently injured and it is maybe too late now for Domenech to consider him. However if there are lots of injuries he could ge the surprise nod. Sadly, all the signs point to this not happening. Maybe the WC in 2010 will be his chance.

Jérémy Berthod (Olympique Lyonnais) - 5%, 0%; Another gem at Lyon. The talented young left back, is a fixture in the u21 setup, but sadly unless there is a shortage then he will stay with France for the u21 championships instead.

Central Defenders:

William Gallas (Chelsea, Engand) - 95%, 100%; A fixture in the setup, the only question is where does he play. Its clear that his bext position is in the centre, but he constantly is pushed out wide on left. The Chelsea defender is quick, strng and powerful but is wasted by playing his football in LB. This remains a weak point for France.

Lillian Thuram (Juventus, Italy) - 100%, 100%; Came back from retirement and has slotted into the centre just like at Juventus and will almost certainlty command a starting place. The back-line relies on his experience and talent to get them through the worst.

Gaël Givet (AS Monaco) - 70%, 65%; Another Domenech favourite, Givet can play either on the left or in the centre and under the current coach normally in the latter. His average performance for the team of late could hinder his selection but given past team choices, he looks more than favourite to get called up or even start for the team in Germany.

Sébastien Squillaci (AS Monaco) - 55%, 20%; Injured at the minute but is often picked by the coach. The Monaco defender is uncomprising and solid in his approach. Will probably be picked if fit (which remains to be seen.)

Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle United, England) - 50%, 30%; After some poor showings for France his place looks under more threat due to constant criticism form the media. Has looked poor of late with Newcastle and may miss out due to his form leading into the tournament.

Phillipe Mexes (AS Roma, Italy) - 10%, 0%; The former Auxerre player is almost a non-entity of late, due to suspension, injuries and bench-warming. It will take a lot for the Roma defender to be picked.

Defensive Midfielders:

Benoît Pedretti (Olympique Lyonnais) - 40%, 5%; Despite a move to lyon in the summer after an unsuccesful year in Marseille, Pedretti is a talented player who often lacks direction and consitency in his game. Stunning for Sochaux during the height of their success, but has failed to live up to expectations since. He will need to find his form quick if he is to dislodge the other established members of the team.

Patrick Vieira - (Juventus, Italy) - 100%, 100%; Solid as a rock for Juve and Arsenal - he is a crucial player for the French team, his leadership and drive in midfield is the reason he is one of the best in the world in his position - and as a result is indispensable for the team.

Rio Mavuba (Girondins de Bordeaux) - 15%, 5%; Despite coming into the team during the injury crisis and lack of options in the qualfiying stages, Mavuba has been a regular starter for the u21's. Unless there is severe injuries to Vieira or Makelele, then Mavuba will be the 'Espoirs' for the u21 championships.

Claude Makelele (Chelsea, England) - 100%, 100%; The water carrier of the team, if Deschamps was the true reason for the 1998 success, then Makelele will be it, if it happens in 2006. Another key player for France whose presence in the current setup is invaluable.

Alou Diarra (RC Lens) - 50%, 5%; Despite being a huge flop at Liverpool, Diarra has become a central corner stone in Lens. Powerful and strong, he will probably make the team but will be limited on playing due to the basis of Vieira starting.

Olivier Dacourt (AS Roma, Italy) - 10%, 5%; Daccourt had almost left the international wilderness, but due to injuries and lack of options he found himself back in the fold of Domenech's plans. Unless injuries happen to key players, then I believe he will be called up on emergency.

Jérémy Toulalan (FC Nantes) - 5%, 0%; - Toulalan is one of France's brightest young prospects from the Nantes youth academy. His problem is similar to that of Mavuba - too young, too soon. Getting into the full squad will be a major achievement - but his time is maybe not now. A long shot for a callup.

Attacking Midfielders:

Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid, Spain) - 100%, 100%; Zizou is the soul and heartbeat of the team, and is crucial to Les Bleus success. After coming out of retirement last year, he breathed new life into a team struggling to adpat with new surroundings and got his team into the finals. One of the most talented and skilful players on the planet he will be looking for another WC winners medal to his huge collection of silverware. A starter no question.

Robert Pires (Arsenal, England) - 10%, 0%; Despite falling out with the coach after comments he made to the press, the Arsenal winger has no apoligised publicy for his actions and could well be back in the fold for the squad. However the rivers could run deep with this situation and Domenech could well keep him out of the side. Its a progressive situation and one which could well see Pires start and command a place in the side or be staying at home watching unfold on the TV.

Johan Micoud (Werder Bremen, Germany) - 20%, 5%; The German based midfielder has been in sparkling form his team, but has had little impact for the national team mainly due to his presence being overlooked on numerous occasions for international callups. He may be getting on in years, but its now or never for him.

Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyonnais) - 85%, 20%; The dynamic left winger proved a huge success in OL's recent campaigns and has also proved his worth for the NT with some solid displays in some crucial games. Injuries to key players allowed him to slot into the team, and it will probably take some injuries at the finals to grant him a starting spot, but he is more than likely to make the trip to Germany.

Ludovic Guily (FC Barcelona, Spain) - 90%, 40%; Guily has often been something of a rotation player by Domenech and despite starting and playing most games for France he is often replaced by Wiltord for the seemingly more crucial games. However, he still one of the best optons open to France in the attacking midfield positions, and that allow will see him travel to the WC.

Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris St-Germain) - 60%, 20%; The experienced midfielder can play anywhere along the pitch and his versatility and astute passing and tactical awareness has made him a favourite of the current coach. More than likely to be in the 23 man squad.

Camel Meriem (AS Monaco) - 5%, 0%; Meriem has played something of a bit role in France's recent games. Despite being hailed as the man that looked likely to succeed Zidane in the centre of midfield, he never lived up to the billing and has struggled to find his feet both on the international scene and with his club side Monaco.

Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille) - 10%, 0%; The Marseille hitman is proving to be one of the most exciting young prospects in France at the moment. After a shirt spell in Turkey, Ribery has been putting in some sparkling performances that surely will capture the attention of Domenech. However, the reluctance of the coach to not call up the brighest and best, whom are untried at senior level - coupled with the midfield positions being quite overloaded - then his chances look very slim indeed.

Attackers:

Djibril Cissé (Liverpool, England) - 90%, 40%; The pacy Liverpool striker has been a bit part player for Liverpool of late after suffering a horrendous injury last season. But a CL winner's medal has given him the desire to suceed and at international level he stepped up to the plate in the abscence of Trezeguet and Henry and scored some crucial goals to help France qualify for their 3rd straight World Cup. He will travel to France as the main 3rd choice centre-forward.

Thierry Henry (Arsenal, England) - 100%, 100%; One of the deadliest strikers in world football, Henry will travel to Germany alongside some of the most feared counterparts in his postion. Blessed with pace to burn, Henry is France's most prized asset, it was goal who effectively took France out of the rut and into Germany with a wonder goal against the irish in Dublin and it will be he who could decide France's fate.

David Trezeguet (Juventus, Italy) - 100%, 100%; Along with Henry, Trezeguet can forge a deadly tandem capable of destroying most teams. Having started brillantly with Juventus this season, his injuries at crucial times has seen him miss a large chunk of international action. There is no question he will start alongside Henry in Germany, but will he be fit?

Sylvain Wiltord (Olympique Lyonnais) - 100%, 90%; Wiltord has been a revelation at Les Gones and has commanded a place in the NT with his dazzling displays for club and country. Aided by Pires exclusion from the squad, he has proved a useful utilty player for Domenech, playing in the centre or right of midfield or up top. Will be a shoe-in to start.

Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais) - 60%, 20%; The Lyon right winger, cetnre forward has been a crucial part of OL's domiance in the past few years. Despite some discontent amongst the fans and media over his legality in the international set-up he appears to be a firm favourite of coach Domenech's plans.

Pegguy Luyindula (AJ Auxerre) - 20%, 0%; The former Marseille man has found himself on loan at Auxerre after numerous staff changes at Marseille. During a heavy injury crisis he was called up, but looks increasingly more of a bit part player for France.

Nicolas Anelka (Fenerbahce, Turkey) - 30%, 5%; After a long absence in the team, Anelka found himself back in the squad and scored a goal against Costa Rica. Given the paucity of decent strikers, Anelka could be whisked back in the squad as the 4th choice alternative.

Louis Saha (Manchester United, England) - 5%, 0%; Recently has come back from a long injury layoff, Saha will need to prove his fitness in a struggling Manchester United side. Unless he can proves his worth until the end of the season his chances look very slim for going to Germany.

Anthony Le Tallec (Sunderland, England) - 0%, 0%; Le Tallec has been a revelation for the u21's, and has yet to make his senior debut. If he carries on this form, he could well receive a distant callup. However his presence is more than likely needed in the u21 championships and therefore it seems very unlkely he will be going to Germany.

Home Shirt:


Away Shirt (New One for 2006 soon):

[Mr. Bee]

I'm really suprised that Malbranque doesn't even warrant a % chance

You must be stacked in Midfield... but you have Pires as a possibility. Odd.

[gaijin]

Meh, he apoligised publicly on TV, and will probably be in a much better chance than Malbranque to go through to Germany.

[puntu]

Thanks! I'm placing all the profiles here:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276095

[puntu]

I have a few questions:

Could you describe France's game style with Domenech?

Where would Pires play if he was a starter? Who would leave the lineup?

What happened to Saha? I remember him playing really good in Euro 2004.

[lefutur]

Originally Posted by puntu

Thanks! I'm placing all the profiles here:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276095

This is a great idea. I'm looking forward to the finshed product.

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by puntu

I have a few questions:

Could you describe France's game style with Domenech?

Style? Domenech?

Where would Pires play if he was a starter? Who would leave the lineup?

Probably on the right for Wiltord. Seems most logical.

What happened to Saha? I remember him playing really good in Euro 2004.

Injuries

[sl7vk]

Domenech has been playing a 4-3-1-2 with the midfield looking like-

Vieira----Maka----Dhorasoo/Malouda/Wiltord
------------Zidane
------Trez-----------Henry