France legend, and current UEFA President, Michel Platini, spoke to the French sports daily L’Equipe and gave what he described as a “neutral” point of view of Wednesday night’s affairs.
“France weren’t able to take the game to the Scots [...] I didn’t see one dribble, apart from a few from Ribéry and Nasri”.
Well nothing shocking from Le Président, but it perhaps unerlines the main afterthought that I have about the game: we lacked the key that could unlock the Scots defence. Someone who could decide in a split second that we’d rather go in a different direction, make a different pass. Basically, an advanced midfielder with no defensive duties (re NOT Vieira and Maks) capable of linking the wingers with the forwards. And at the moment, that’s Nasri. Although there’s a an equally strong argument for a speedy, skilled forward like benzema to come in and run at defences. I guess come October 13th we’ll find out.
–Stephane F.
Agreed – Nasri could be the right guy to have in there. I don’t think Malouda has to be an automatic choice. It sounds like Michel is complaining about Malouda and Trezeguet.
Benzema could have trouble getting a game with Henry back. If Henry could play at his best Arsenal level, France would be quite a good team.
hey man
i just think Nasri is hungry and he seems to make an impact, something we need! it’s just weird, like Domenech played him in the last few games at the end of last season vs Georgia and ukraine (i think) and vs Austria in that friendly, and he did really well. but when the going got tough, as it were vs itlay and scotland he doesnt play him. i can sort of understand vs italy, away at the san siro etc, but home to scotland? come on Doms. how are these guys supposed to have play with confidence next summer if they cant get a start vs Scotland?! I dunno about Malouda, he’s been very good so far this year. in the past for France he’s seemed a bit out of it, but he’s a very skilled player. i think he’s useful in that he can play well in any system. Henry is another issue for me. hes such an enormous player in terms of his role on the team, we need to find the best way to use him. for me, he should be playing further back, a kind of link between the mids and Anelka, but with the freedom to go anywhere on the pitch. so if nasri is in the “zidane” role and malouda/ribs on the wings, henry can slip in and out and do his runs. then we just have one defensive mid, either maks or toulalan.