Let’s face it, the sight of the Blues in South Africa will make us all a little sick to our stomachs. Memories of that fateful November night in Paris that we had successfully managed to suppress after months of anguish will come flooding back at the sight of Lloris, Evra, Ribery and of course, ‘le cheat’ himself, Thierry Henry.
That will all be irrelevant by the time they kick off their tournament against Uruguay on June 11 and as usual, France will be mentioned among the main contenders, although Spain, Brazil, Argentina and god forbid, England, have probably overtaken them in the international pecking order of late.
With the likes of Evra, Malouda, Ribery and Benzema in their ranks, there’s no doubt they have the players, but whether they can bring a consistency to their game that was lacking during their World Cup qualifying campaign remains to be seen.
Star Player: Franck Ribery
Gave glimpses of his potential at the last World Cup and has gone from strength to strength since, becoming one of the most sought after players in Europe. Can operate on either flank or in the hole behind the striker, but is at his most threatening when starting on the left flank and cutting in on his right foot. He has plenty of pace, skill and a wonderful eye for a disguised through ball.
Has been hampered by injuries and his reported involvement in a prostitution scandal this season, but if he is in the right frame of mind, he is capable of breaking down the most disciplined defences. His predecessor, Zinedine Zidane has described him as the ‘jewel of French football’. High praise indeed.
Franck Ribery’s skill can unlock any defence
Manager: Raymond Domenech
Where do you start with such an eccentric piece of work as Domenech? Despite guiding France to the World Cup final four years ago, he has never been trusted by the French fans, media or even the players. He has fallen out with Robert Pires, because as a devotee of astrology, he didn’t trust the ex-Arsenal winger because he was a Scorpio, Thierry Henry has publicly criticised his training methods and style of play and he reacted to being knocked out of Euro 2008 by proposing to his girlfriend on live television, a proposal which, to his embarrassment and to the amusement of everyone else, she did not immediately accept.
Ludovic Giuly, Gregory Coupet and Phillip Mexes are others to have expressed their displeasure at their treatment at the hands of Domenech and in truth; his position is hanging by a thread. If France don’t set the world on fire in South Africa, expect Domenech to be out of the job by the time the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign gets underway.
Prediction: Quarter Final exit
The talent in Raymond Domenech’s squad is undeniable, but their ability to function as a unit, or rather Domenech’s inability to allow them function as a unit has hampered them in recent times. They may have reached the World Cup Final in 2006, but that was mainly down to the inspirational form of Zinedine Zidane, whose last hurrah ended with his unforgettable headbutt into the midriff of Marco Materazzi.
They should have little problem negotiating the group stages and will more than likely avoid Argentina in the last sixteen if they can come out on top of Group A. If both sides play to their potential, a clash with Fabio Capello’s England awaits in the quarter finals, which is where we think France’s campaign will come to an end.
Odds: 16/1
Irishness rating: 0/10
After what they did to us in Paris last November, we’ve decided to cut all ties with our Gallic neighbours.
If they were a car they’d be a…
McLaren F1 – With a steady pilot at the wheel, they’re more than a match for anyone else. Without one, there’s potential for disaster.
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