[BenP]

According to L'Equipe, the France XI against Switzerland will be as follows. And I must say, credit to Domenech for actually changing his formation to a 4-2-3-1, away from a 4-3-1-2 and selecting Ribery.

-----------------------------------Barthez------------------------------------------

---------------Sagnol------Thuram-------Gallas-------Abidal-------------------

--------------------------Viera----------Makelele---------------------------------

--------------------Ribery-------Zidane--------Wiltord---------------------------

----------------------------------Henry--------------------------------------------

[BenP]

Oh by the way, here's the link:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20060612_014306_01.html

"Selon L'Equipe de lundi, Raymond Domenech a arrêté la composition de l'équipe de France qui débutera la rencontre contre la Suisse mardi. Le sélectionneur devrait offrir quelques surprises puisqu'il a revu son organisation, avec deux récupérateurs et une seule pointe, et choisi de titulariser Frank Ribéry et Sylvain Wiltord.


D'après L'Equipe, qui a pu assister à la mise en place tactique dimanche, les Bleus devraient débuter leur première rencontre en 4-2-3-1, ce qui permettrait le replacement de Patrick Vieira dans l'axe à côté de Claude Makelele. Dans ce système, Thierry Henry serait seul en pointe avec trois hommes en soutien : Ribéry, qui profite de la blessure de Florent Malouda, Zinedine Zidane et Sylvain Wiltord, selon L'Equipe qui détaille dans son édition de lundi le positionnement mis au point par Raymond Domenech et les motivations de celui-ci."

[ilv2]

really interesting, i love the formation (in theory). The only downside is that we didn't get to test its efficacite before the crunch time, and of course the lack of quality on the bench to replaced our tired legs especially since we're using our subs as starters now.
There's a certain little david that is going to be bitter about not starting, although now with one striker he can't really complain - henry was always going to be first selected. Yet, this also raises the issue of henry's ability to play as a lone striker. He hasn't ever shone in that role, and simply putting him up there alone because he's touted as the world's best striker won't cut it against a good defense. Now that we've "solved" our midfield problem, now we have a potential conundrum with our stiker(s).

Of course this is all speculation on my part, but we've been in this situation before so I hope they've been practicing their finishing.

Can't wait until tuesday!!

[allezlesbleusno1]

Wow I'm am thoroughly shocked by this formation. I have been wondering about running such a formation with these current players. Things will be very interesting. I'm happy that Ribery is starting!!

[Rima067]

Originally Posted by ilv2

Yet, this also raises the issue of henry's ability to play as a lone striker. He hasn't ever shone in that role, and simply putting him up there alone because he's touted as the world's best striker won't cut it against a good defense.

Well, he did play this way for Arsenal in the Champions League and did well. The only problem is that he was fatigued immensely from it. I don't see him lasting the whole tournament as a starter in that role the entire time. What will be interesting is if Domenech interchanges w/ Trezeguet for the lone forward role at times? Though he doesn't really play that role he did it for us at the WC 2002 v Uruguay when Henry was sent off early in the match and worked his ass off and hit the post too if I recall (as it was the 2002 World Cup it's not a hard guess though )...


re: Trezeguet. There's a big interview w/ L'Equipe with him today: http://www.lequipe.com/Football/CM20...trezeguet.html

parts of it in English:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Wor...626004-ap.html

"I am a top-level striker, so of course I want to start all the matches," Trezeguet said Sunday. "I'm not 21 any more. I want my spot back in the national team. But it's up to (coach) Raymond Domenech. It's not my decision."

"Those are his choices.
"It was a bit surprising," Trezeguet said. "But it's not in my character to ask questions. I just try to help my teammates. That is all that matters to me."

he also says we shouldn't play so defensively. Like Brazil we are one of the only teams who can boast so many great attacking players and why not use them? Brazil aren't afraid to put a bunch out on the field at once and they just make it work.

This was in insight into Domenech: "I know Domenech from the under-21 team. He is not one to change his mind," Trezeguet said. "Once he has a system in mind, he follows it. So I hope I will play."

[ilv2]

Originally Posted by Rima067

Well, he did play this way for Arsenal in the Champions League and did well. The only problem is that he was fatigued immensely from it. I don't see him lasting the whole tournament as a starter in that role the entire time.

The problem w/ Arsenal is that, while i'm not going to doubt their efficiency, i'd like to see France do better than just get by like Wenger's team who, imo, scraped through with a great deal of luck - i.e. henry's goal vs. real - and a hell of a lot of defending. If the team gets to the finals, I won't be one to complain, but it's exactly that - relying on those rare moments of inspiration is quite is gamble and absolutely not a guarantee for any result. And of course the fatigue as you mentioned. Rotation w/ Trezeguet could be a great solution, but their styles are so different. Saha is more comparable and is in form!

Originally Posted by Rima067

he also says we shouldn't play so defensively. Like Brazil we are one of the only teams who can boast so many great attacking players and why not use them? Brazil aren't afraid to put a bunch out on the field at once and they just make it work.

Well, I wouldn't even try to compare anyone w/ brazil. They have incredible world class (i.e. walk into the starting 11 of any top side) players in their attack. I would beg to differ (Dhorasoo, Wiltord, Govou, Zidane [age], even Malouda). That said, I'm not saying they're terrible because quite clearly they're not, but we can't simply throw them out onto the pitch like the selecao does and have their genius conjure up a deluge of goals - it's a little unrealistic.

I'm sounding irritatingly pessimistic, so i'll step off it for a while until we get a better idea after the game against the swiss.

[awmhamodat]

R u serious!!.If this is true , then Finally the coach has woke up.

If malouda comes back.This would be the perect formation.BTw, someone mentioned that henry can't play up byhimself.But he has been playing with arsenal by himself all along.And hes done fine

[Nanbawan]

If you absolutely want to play with two defensive mids, that's the way to go...Chicken, egg...Egg, chicken...

My opinion is that's it might be a pity that he didn't have the balls to put Henry on the left and Trez as lone striker. Yet, I can understand him being slightly prudent there. On this one Dom does with what he has, I won't jump at his throat.

[Nanbawan]

Originally Posted by awmhamodat

R u serious!!.If this is true , then Finally the coach has woke up.

He saw the light !

That or Jacquet kicked him in da nutz !

[guignol]

Originally Posted by Nanbawan

My opinion is that's it might be a pity that he didn't have the balls to put Henry on the left and Trez as lone striker. Yet, I can understand him being slightly prudent there. On this one Dom does with what he has, I won't jump at his throat.

the thing is that for a 4-3-3 (4-5-1, 4-2-3-1, whatever you want to call it) to work, you've got to have everybody willing and able to defend. meaning guys like malouda, govou, wiltord, ribèry... henry isn't enough in tune with this to hold down a corridor, and as for trez, defense may as well be a new name for a shoe or a cologne as far as he's concerned.