What do you get when you cross a confused France, lacking identity and direction, with a Uruguayan team unsure whether to go for the kill or bunker down?
A 0-0 draw of course! Same as the last time they played, and the time before that…
It wouldn’t feel so bad if it were not for
a) the earlier draw between South Africa and Mexico leaving the group wide open
b) a greater share of possession in France’s favour
c) the red card which left the tiring South Americans down to 10 men and there for the taking
and d) the totally inept tactics by Domenech
The latter include:
- leaving Govou on for 85 minutes despite his only contribution a missed sitter in the 7th minute
- waiting until the 71st minute to make a sub–and then do that by taking Anelka off
- bringing on Gignac, a natural centre forward, and playing him on the wing while natural wingers Ribéry & Malouda stayed central–thus ensuring no crosses were being supplied
- generally leaving Malouda out of the team, despite his sensational play this season, until the 75th minute
France could have been in the driver’s seat but instead are left behind at the station…along with the rest of Group A.
–Stéphane F.
