Well, in keeping with tradition when playing Uruguay, France have drawn 0-0…and rather pathetically at that.
Between classic Domenech mis-tactics (late subs, players in wrong positions) and a poor performance in the final third by France’s wingers and forwards, Les Bleus have managed to blow a golden opportunity.
Here are my player captions.
Starters:
Lloris: Didn’t have much to do but when he did he was brilliant–as we’ve come to expect. 1st half save off Forlan’s shot was key. Did well on Forlan’s 2nd half free kick which bounced right in front of him. 7/10.
Sagna: Solid defensively as usual and a bit better offensively–but still needs to get forward more and deliver better crosses. 6/10
Gallas: Probably the worst I’ve seen Gallas play in a long time. Seemed late on almost every challenge and out of position. Didn’t make any crucial mistakes though so I’ll let him off with a 5/10…but he must improve.
Abidal: Ironically, probably the best I’ve seen Abidal play as a centre back! He was decisive and confident–everything Gallas was not. 7/10
Evra: Dodgy spell to open the game, including a yellow card. He might have been trying too hard as this was his first ‘real’ game as captain. Eventually settled down to deliver a good 2nd half performance both defensively and offensively. 6/10
Toulalan: Vintage Toulalan–tenacious and hard working. Even gave away his classic “yellow card to stop a counter attack” foul. 6/10
Gourcuff: Average free kicks. Tried to unleash a few long range efforts but with little effect. Didn’t seem to provide that decisive final ball to the forwards. 5/10
Diaby: Surprise inclusion to the detriment of Malouda and he did not disappoint, winning lots of balls and going by defenders easily. Slowed down a bit by the end but then he’s not used to playing 90 minutes at this level! 7/10 MAN OF THE MATCH
Ribéry: Not the same player he was during the warmup games. Didn’t see as much of the ball and couldn’t seem to find a way past the Uruguayan defense after that initial cross to Govou. Didn’t get into the box. Credit to Uruguay for consistently sticking 2 defenders on him whenever he got the ball. 5/10
Govou: Obviously low on confidence and his early howler in front of goal wouldn’t have helped. Somehow played 85 minutes despite offering nothing at all. Admitted before the World Cup he was not at his best–what will he say now? Will he bench himself? 4/10
Anelka: Still dropping back for the ball (though at least Govou was filling in for him when he did, albeit unsuccessfully). Didn’t get any noteworthy shots off. Tried to do too much on his own–obviously too excited/nervous about his 1st World Cup game. Not at his best. 5/10
Subs:
Henry: Strangely a like for like replacement for Anelka, he offered nothing at all–save a mishit which almost cruelly went for a handball against the Uruguayans. No real spark. 4/10
Malouda: His wasted talent on the bench, he finally made his entrance after 75 minutes. Was unfortunately played through the middle and as such not able to make his trademarks runs, or crosses, from the wing. Should have started. 5/10
Gignac: Another tactical oddity, he was put on the right wing but wasn’t quite fast enough to get by defenders and put in crosses (he’s a centre forward after all!). Saw plenty of ball and tried hard. 6/10
Coach:
Domenech: Got things wrong from the start as he benched Malouda–although Diaby somewhat bailed him out by playing extremely well. There’s an argument for Diaby and Malouda to start with Govou being benched. Left the latter in far too long. Waited too long to make his subs and as such they didn’t have an impact. Went for like for like subs instead of going for more attack when it was clear a tiring 10 man Uruguay would sit back and go for a draw.
–Stéphane F.
