Raymond Domenech. Oh dear, dear, dear.
Prank and I agree wholeheartedly that Raymond should have gone along time ago...especially after Euro 2008.
Pundits and former players often say warm-up games don’t count for much. And they don’t really. Its preparation time but they do build momentum and confidence. France’s warm-up campaign hasn’t been great and Uruguay have played one game against Israel before leaving for South Africa, winning 4 – 1. However, despite not playing well, they won.
France haven’t played well. And they haven’t won either. They lost to China in Reunion before they arrived in South Africa and tonight I can’t see further than a slight surprise from a dark horse team. Uruguay will win or draw tonight.
Luis Suarez of Ajax has had a great season and ever since Forlan went to Villareal and now Atletico Madrid he has found his feet and justified why Alex Ferguson bought him in the first place. However, one player I’d want to watch is Nicolas Lodeiro. Another player who is in Ajax’s ranks having arrived during the winter break. He won’t start tonight but he is comfortable in the box and was a favourite at Nacional before leaving for Europe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0ZS0Pd6d4&feature=related
If this creative midfielder comes on he will give France a few more problems than worrying about who their captain is. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/08/1965390/france-defender-william-gallas-launches-silent-protest
If he doesn’t come on then Caceres of Juventus will be the other one I watch to see how assured and competent he is defending for his national team.
As for France, if they have any hope or motivation it needs to come from the man who they want to replace the big shoes of Zidane. Yoann Gourcuff is talismanic at Bordeaux and immeasurably gifted but in their preparation games he and the rest have looked toothless. Still, all it needs is a bit of magic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK1FI54JDHw
Apart from that I’ve got a feeling Domenech is one of those French blokes who doesn’t like Arabs. There is no Benzema and despite a stop-start season with Madrid, even his presence in the squad would have been important. And no Nasri? Really? Meanwhile, Gignac has had a great season for Toulouse and will go somewhere big this summer I think.
Lodeiro and Gourcuff and 2 – 1 to Uruguay is my bet. Could be 2 – 2 but I’ll stick my neck out for a win for the Charrúas La Celeste Olímpica...or Uruguay...just easier really....
No comments:
Post a Comment