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Red

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Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
I don't know what you mean by that sentence.

Anyway, I rather fancy France to do well.

They aren't good at games like the one today where the obligation is on them to dominate and attack, but they are pretty good at playing defensively and hitting teams on the break.
 

TrezJuve

Senior Member
May 26, 2010
7,414
I don't know what you mean by that sentence.

Anyway, I rather fancy France to do well.

They aren't good at games like the one today where the obligation is on them to dominate and attack, but they are pretty good at playing defensively and hitting teams on the break.
I also think they might do well.

Your assessment is true. Did you watch the game?

If they would have put two strikers today, they would have been better especially given they played a team like Iceland. Also, their defense were a real let down; really bad when it came to marking.
 

Red

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Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
I was sort of half watching the game.

Not sure if it was necessarily another striker they needed, but they could have done with another player moving close to Benzema.

The defence was poor, but I'd expect that to be less of an issue when they are playing competitive games and fully focused.
 

TrezJuve

Senior Member
May 26, 2010
7,414
I was sort of half watching the game.

Not sure if it was necessarily another striker they needed, but they could have done with another player moving close to Benzema.

The defence was poor, but I'd expect that to be less of an issue when they are playing competitive games and fully focused.
He needed a point of reference and I believe that if he was playing next to Giroud for example he would have been better. Furthermore, the midfielders and wingers also lacked a good target man to play for. It would have opened up the play in my opinion.
 

Red

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Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
Maybe.

I just thought France played at too low a tempo in the first half.

Ribery and Valbuena made a big difference in terms of injecting some urgency, after Menez, Ben Arfa, Gourcuff & Co. had just been strolling around in the first half.
 

TrezJuve

Senior Member
May 26, 2010
7,414
Maybe.

I just thought France played at too low a tempo in the first half.

Ribery and Valbuena made a big difference in terms of injecting some urgency, after Menez, Ben Arfa, Gourcuff & Co. had just been strolling around in the first half.
Yup, there was a poor rhythm in France's play up to that point; they needed a bit more vitality. I think the main reasons for that were the fact they didn't believe enough they could score (the more the game progressed, the more they were in doubt and the more it seemed like they capitulated) and because of the lack of options. Menez was the only one trying.

I also thought it was a mistake to associate Gourcuff to Cabaye in center midfield; that partnership didn't work.
 

Bezzy

The Bookie Queen
Jun 5, 2010
20,827
Starting in 12 minutes

Holland
Stekelenburg; VD Wiel, Heitinga, Bouma, Schaars; Van Bommel, De Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Afellay; Van Persie

Slovakia
Mucha, Pekarik, Salata, Hubocan, Guede, Svento, Cech, Hamsik, Breznanik, Stoch en Bakos.
:inter:

Holland
 

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