France vs Italy – Group C – preview

Well it’s finally here, the big clash of the 1st Round…and there’s only one possible outcome for us…win or go home.

Yes that’s the situation we find ourselves in for tonight’s final group game. Our massive underachievment so far means we must win, a draw is worth nothing. I won’t go through all the possibilites because a) it’s too depressing and b) too lengthy! You can read about them here.

A win, a win, can we get a win? Well we can of course, but will we?

There has been lots of talk of formations for tonight’s game. In training yesterday Doms employed 3 different ones. The first was a traditional, conservative 4-4-2 with Benzema and Henry up front and the rest of the team the same, “classic” (to put in nicely) so to speak.
The second a 4-2-3-1 but with clerc at right back, gallas-abidal in the middle, and evra left back (NO thuram), Diarra and Toulalan (no Maks), Malouda and Nasri with Benzema up front (no Henry).
The 3rd formation, used for only a short time, had Ribs and Govou back on either flank, again Benz and Henry up front and the defense without Sagnol and Thuram.

Before the Holland game Doms had also trained in this matter except the first formation used was the 4-2-3-1 we saw in the game. Does that mean we’re set to see a 4-4-2 here? The speculation is endless. Yes, the Italians tend to play conservatively so Doms may opt to match that. Then again they will want to win as well so may go for a more attacking appraoch.

What seems pretty certain is that Thuram, Sagnol and even Malouda and Makelele are in serious doubt for this game. And to be honest all 4 should be on the bench. Thuram was poor vs Holland. Sagnol wasn’t too bad, but I think it’s clear we need more attacking verve, so Clerc should play. Malouda continues to disappoint and now apparently no longer understands the basics of defending set pieces. And Makelele, he looks a step slow and was fortunate to not get 2 yellows vs Holland. I’d like to see Diarra step in and really push forward, thereby letting Toulalan do his defensive mid role properly.

Benzema looks set to start as does Govou. Speaking of Benzema there are rumours about a very real split in the French squad, between old and young players, a split that Benzema has personified by his supposed outburst in the dressing room after the Holland game about not being played.

Vieira is unfit again and is unlikely to play even if we do advance.

L’Equipe’s possible starting XI is as follows:

Coupet – Clerc, Gallas, Abidal, Evra – Toulalan, L. Diarra or Makelele, – Govou, Ribéry – Henry, Benzema.

It feels pretty skeptical for me, the media playing things up perhaps? I would be surprised if Maks didn’t start. Though when you think of Gattuso, De Rossi, Pirlo ploughing forward I hope he doesn’t. That does like a 4-4-2 to me though.

It’s all very negative in our camp at the moment, yes there’s the occasional “we’re going to come out and play till we die” type quotes (mainly from Ribs) but there’s also been admission of tension within the team. Iit’s a shame we don’t control our own destiny. Still knowing a win is needed no matter what should give us a lift. It’s imperative to not conceed so early as we did vs Holland. The last thing we need is chase the game vs the Italians.

I think we’ll see a 2-1 win for our boys. I won’t even enter the debate on Romania-Holland. Though a draw there seems likely.

Let’s hope we’re smiled down upon tonight and we get to live another day. Storyline sound familiar? Let’s hope lightning does strike twice.

–Stéphane F.

PS: we should be in our blues since we’re the home side, meaning Italy will have to wear white.