04

Haziran
2008

Euro 2008 Team Profile: France

kategori: EURO 2008
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Still In The Golden EraAlthough a Platini inspired France won their first major international tournament with the European Championships of 1984 it was not until the latter part of the Millennium that French football would reach its zenith.

The World Cup of 1998 heralded the start of a golden era in French football. The hosts claimed the Jules Rimet trophy as their own that year and then secured the international double as they won Euro 2000 in the most dramatic of circumstances.

France have since approached major international tournaments as one of the favoured sides. There is good reason that the French are always well fancied as they have a strong backbone, mixed with flair and a steely determination to win.

Les Bleus have constantly evolved in the decade since their 3-0 victory over Brazil sparked jubilant scenes all over the country. Familiar faces such as Thuram, Henry and Vieira (for the time being, at least) remain from the World Cup winning campaign but there is also a freshness to the squad.

Euro 2008 should see the first shoots of promise from the much heralded “Generation ‘88” as the likes of Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri travel to their first major international tournaments.

It remains to be seen whether France’s bright young stars can live up to the level of expectation that is burdened upon them and whether the old heads have the legs to carry les Bleus to victory, particularly having been drawn in the “Group of Death”.

Coach

Raymond Domenech, Controversial as Ever

There is no coach as thus far successful as Raymond Domenech on the international football scene that is so habitually disliked as France’s leader.

Despite guiding his country to the World Cup final in Germany 2 years ago the French media remain suspicious of their national team’s chieftain and are often quick to criticise his selections and techniques.

He may be arrogant and single-minded but Domenech remains a coach that achieves results. Only twice under his four year stewardship have France lost in competitive matches over 90 minutes. Les Bleus often efficient rather than spectacular style has not lent itself to the French support.

Unsurprisingly Domenech has received plenty of criticism in the lead-up to Euro 2008. When it was announced that he would emulate World Cup winning Aime Jacquet by naming a provisional squad for the competition Domenech fielded complaints from the media regarding his methods.

Then, somewhat inevitably, after naming his squad there was another volley questioning his managerial abilities. Domenech had omitted several big names from his pool with David Trezeguet arguably the biggest and most surprising casualty.

Such a gamble worked wonders for Domenech in Germany as he introduced Franck Ribéry into his roster immediately before the World Cup campaign. The then Marseille winger turned in a series of sparkling performances and remains one of France’s most consistent and most exciting players.

Domenech will certainly not bow to media pressure and remains an enigmatic figure, caricatured by much of the French press in the role of the “bad guy”.

A Look At The Squad Goalkeepers

Grégory Coupet will likely start the tournament in possession of the gloves for les Bleus however the goalkeeper has not enjoyed his finest season at Lyon. Injury disrupted the first part of the season for the veteran goalkeeper and he has never quite regained his very best form.

Sébastien Fray and Steve Mandanda will provide back-up as France go into the tournament without a recognised “world class” goalkeeper.

Defence

France possess an abundance of attacking talent but there are currently question marks over the capabilities of their rearguard. Domenech has made contentious decisions in defence and is relying on some out-of-form players finding some touch rather quickly.

There can be no question of Lillian Thuram’s pedigree however the veteran defender looks to have lost some of his speed while his overall form for Barcelona has been questionable. Alongside him at the heart of the defence William Gallas, a sturdy centre-back, is another player not considered to be near his best.

The full-back berths have already courted controversy as Arsenal pair Clichy and Sagnol were left out of the squad. There is more of a stir likely as Abidal is poised to start at left-back ahead of Patrice Evra. The in-form Manchester United player outplayed his counterpart over two legs when the Red Devils clashed with Barcelona yet Evra is likely to be the player benched.
Bayern Munich right-back Willy Sagnol should fend off competition from Clerc to play, although it has been a tough season for the rugged defender. Sagnol spent much of the early part of the season injured and was then forced to act as understudy to Christian Lell. The 31 year-old remains short of match practise.

Midfield

Just a week before the French meet Romania in their opening match there are whispers that key anchoring midfielder Patrick Vieira may not be fit to play for les Bleus at all this summer. The Inter Milan midfielder, who has been such a pillar in the French side for over a decade, has a thigh problem and is looking increasingly doubtful to participate.

Although this is certainly a headache it is no means a disaster for les Bleus. Lyon’s Jérémy Toulalan is well capable of playing a destructive role at the heart of the French side however Vieira’s offensive abilities will be lost.

Mathieu Flamini has been called into the squad as a stand-by player but France have plenty of quality in the defensive midfield position with Lassana Diarra also in their 23-man squad.

If France are to play a 4-4-2 system then there will not be a great deal of creativity coming from the central midfielders as neither Toulalan nor Makélélé are particularly adept pushing forward.

Domenech may now prefer to play with three central midfield players. Marseille’s Samir Nasri is ready to step onto the international stage and may be the man charged with unlocking stubborn defences from a central position.

The French squad is blessed with great attacking talent in midfield and it is simply a question of how Domenech feels it is best harnessed.

Ribéry, France’s best player over the last two years, is likely to play wide, either on the right or left, and will be the man to see most of the ball in the offensive areas. With Malouda and Govou both available Domenech’s greatest problem will be who to leave out.

Attack

The same can be applied to the forwards. Potentially Anelka, Henry and Benzema could all fulfil a wide offensive-midfield role however they all prefer to play as a striker.

Henry has often been wasted by France in a wide role and is a far more menacing prospect when played through the middle. Domenech is likely to accept this and will mould his attack around France’s most prolific international goal scorer.

While Henry’s career is drawing to a close Karim Benzema now has his first platform to star. Domestically Benzema exploded into the nation’s conscious this season and will aim to do the same internationally this summer. A strong, quick forward with a keen eye for goal the 20 year-old has all the attributes to become a world class centre-forward.

Anelka will therefore be relegated to the bench when he will be sat beside the red-hot Bafetimbi Gomis.

Gomis was surprisingly selected ahead of Trezeguet but appears determined to make the most of his opportunity. Against Ecuador the Saint-Étienne striker scored two sublime goals leaving the crowd chanting his name. Although already a favourite amongst fans of les Bleus, Gomis will have to be patient for his chance but could offer France a powerful, strong outlet.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Grégory Coupet, Sébastien Frey, Steve Mandanda

Defenders: Jean-Alain Boumsong, Eric Abidal, William Gallas, Patrice Evra, François Clerc, Lillian Thuram, Sébastien Squillaci, Willy Sagnol

Midfielders: Patrick Vieira, Claude Makélélé, Florent Malouda, Sidney Govou, Samir Nasri, Jérémy Toulalan, Lassana Diarre, Franck Ribéry

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema, Thierry Henry, Bafetimbi Gomis

Key

Grégory Coupet: Although Coupet may not be at the peak of his game the European Championships could give the veteran one last chance to showcase his abilities to a wide audience. Coupet desires a move away from Lyon to either England or the USA this summer and could attract interest with a strong showing in Switzerland and Austria.

Lillian Thuram: A veteran campaigner at the age of 36, the Barcelona centre-back will be a key component of the side if France are to have a strong run in the competition. The Netherlands and Italy lurk after the opening game with Romania and so the French are in need of their experienced captain to be at his polished best if they are to qualify comfortably for the knock-out stages.

Jérémy Toulalan: With Patrick Vieira increasingly likely to miss the tournament his deputy, Jérémy Toulalan, will have the chance to shine on the European stage. A tragically underrated destructive midfield player, Toulalan will be expected to act as a counter-balance, along with Makélélé, against France’s very offensively-minded attacking-midfielders.

Franck Ribéry: Ribéry has become France’s most consistent player since making his international debut almost exactly 2 years ago. Inventive and quick-footed the winger will expect a continuation of his club form into the European Championships. At present there are few better architects of attacking moves than the Bayern Munich star, who was voted Germany’s Player of the Year.

Thierry Henry: With much of the present focus on Karim Benzema’s great form Thierry Henry, for so long France’s top forward, will wish to remind the public of his considerable talents. Henry may have been out-of-sorts for Barcelona this season but playing in the blue of France he will be keen to show that there is still life in him yet. At his peak Henry remains one of the world’s top players.

Prediction

William Gallas boldly stated that anything short of making the final would be considered a disappointment for France. The central defender should prepare himself for an anti-climax in that case as les Bleus are not looking quite as strong as they once did. Even if France were to qualify from the “Group of Death” then Spain would be potential opponents, making their route to the final incredibly tricky to negotiate. Domenech’s record as coach is strong but the obstacles facing France are great. With several players not at their best France will need to start the competition strongly. If les Bleus can gain some early momentum they have a shot at the title but if not they could be home before the semi-finals are played.

Robin Bairner

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