Q46: France v. USA, 28 June

I would of chosen France to win this game, that's untl their coach decided not to pick the either the leading goal scorer of the French League, Katoto, nor the physical player from Barca, Hamraoui.
So feel that on personnel, it's tilted on the US favor(despite the home advantage). The one thing that will give France an huge edge if this cup has taken on a religious/nationalistic fever in their country on par with what happened with the Dutch in 2017 or in their own country in the men's 1998/ That momentum would definitely carry them through.

It's hard to know whats going on here over in the states/. If I was going to ask my roughly 31 co-workers; only one follows & watched the games, 10 knows it's happening right now, 10 have heard of the WC, the other ten have no idea what a bleeping world cup is!

 

Well no secret that I want USA out and France to go through

 

could it be cuz, Germany hasn't won a game vs the US since 2003? lol. But I've been pleasently surprised by how well Rose Lavelle is playing, she's finally given the US the type of playmaker that the Germans are more well known for like Maro/Dallman,/Magull

 

I see it as a 70-30 for the USA. So unless our girls really put a high performance from 1 to 11, it won't happen. Plus all the variables that you do not control like the opposition and referees.

 

I think you’re right!
But that being said it’s also because I want France to do well for once and an exit tomorrow would really not be good for them at all. I did say after the game against Spain that it was good to have them a bit longer in the tournament though

I am afraid that poor Torrent might get exposed tomorrow...

 

Who are the other starting mids for France other than Henry? Thiney is one? Who else? I'm wondering if that unit is strong enough to beat the U.S.?

I too was very surprised that the French coach to not select Hamraoui for the squad as I've seen her with Barcelona a few times and she is a good player and just the sort of midfielder every team needs--strong defensively, got some size and a tough mentality and can score--scored the winning goal in a Champions League match against Bayern. Oh, well.

I think the big thing for France is whether the come out and play confidently and not let the pressure of playing in France get to them.

One thing I'd do if I were France is to mark Lavelle pretty tightly. She can create problems when she gets the ball in space. I think if the French can play her tough, not give her much space, they can make it hard for the U.S. in attack as I like the French back four v. the U.S. forwards and the French forwards are certainly capable of causing problems for the U.S. out wide. Midfield play will be crucial, as it almost always is.

 

Bussaglia starts alongside Henry. They played 4-4-2 against Brazil with Thiney dropping to the bench. Thiney might come back because the 4-4-2 did not work and 4-3-3 could be back.

Or they go with the whole pace option in 4-4-2 with a front four of Cascarino-Diani-Gauvin and Le Sommer and play on the break. The back 5 does not change Bouhaddi; Torrent, M'Bock, Renard, Majri

 

Thanks, Shij: What does Bussaglia bring to the French team? Do you like her play? It's weird that I've seen this France team play a few times but I really haven't noticed her much and don't have a sense of her qualities. She obviously has qualities or she wouldn't be starting for France--but she's not young at age 33.

 

Eh, I think it's gonna be pretty close to a 50-50 game, depending on what personnel choices Ellis makes. France will be able to do exactly what Spain kept doing, finding through balls and slipping past the US backline, except they'll be better at converting chances than Spain was. Naeher needs to be better tomorrow than she has been this tournament so far, and the US really needs to control the midfield to limit those through balls - plus be better at converting their own chances. If the game looks like the first half of USA-Spain did, then I can see the US winning; if the game looks like the second half of USA-Spain did (and like the January match between USA and France did) then I see France doing a fairly nice carving job on the US backline.

 

As a US fan, I would be overjoyed to see Thiney in France's lineup. Her play has been poor. Quite frankly, she's a liability for them.

 

I'm not sure this game is calling for Lavelle to start. For me the optimal midfield 3 is Ertz, Horan, and Mewis. I'm going with Mewis over Lavelle because Mewis is better at switching the point of attack with just one pass. That could be key against France. Plus you have the dual enforcers in Ertz and Horan to disrupt play in the midfield.

 

The big shame for me is that I will be at work for a big chunk of this match. Personally, I jthink that it will be a tight bit of business. Nevertheless, I also hope that the France 3-1 USA result from a few months ago may be a good indicator of what to expect.

 

I'll be shocked if Lavelle doesn't start as she has played well--save for the half-dive against Spain that drew an undeserved penalty--and adds a dynamic to the U.S. attack that neither Horan or Mewis can match. She is speedy and elusive. France will be thankful if Lavelle doesn't start.

 

France is a statistical favorite, by a slight amount, due to home field advantage.

 

Now were calling it a "half-dive" @L'orange? Come one, you're better than that.

 

I think she "embellished"--how about that. I'll go no lower than a "quarter-dive" on what was a silly call!

 

I was just directed to this thread. Shout out and thanks to @balu .
Thought it might interest some of you:
https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/wwc-19-qf-fra-usa-monzul-ukr.2104743/

It's the thread regarding the refs decisions for this match. If you like, you can take your discussions there and get sound advice regarding questionable calls (this means YOU @L'orange ).

Not a bad choice, I guess. Monzul reffed the USA vs Nigeria WWC group match and the 2015 final vs Japan.

 

She will. This is absolutely not a question unless she’s fit enough.

 

Shoot! I totally forgot you had a thread setup for ref discussions, sorry SN.
It might be better for folks to use your thread, as the ref forum mods (I referenced above) are not as lenient with dissent.

 

Agreed, and that lineup will have more defensive bite to it to cover the leaky backline. Lavelle has had a good tournament, but this might be the game she sits.