Well tell me something I don't know Captain Obvious. Anyways, Domenech isn't to blame for everything!! Get real dude. He sent the team to the WC final game in 2006. If Ribery didn't get injured I think France would've definitely shown more fight against Italy. Some bad luck with injuries to Vieira as well. Ultimately he must be fired, but he is not the only person to be blamed. Don't be silly.
kkfla737
· 1 year ago
The players tuned Domenech out after the draw with South Korea in WC 2006 and turned to Zizzou as their leader and he helped carry them.
This is a good piece with the exception of the mention of Flamini who gets some love it seems because he has the fortune of playing for Arsenal.
Pl;ayers not picked that could have helped France:
Ben Arfa Cisse Trezeguet A. Diarra perhaps even the forgotten P. Chimbonda who is eligible to play for Guadelope in CONCACAF competitions and France in FIFA events (the best of both worlds- a true rarity in international football.)
Flamini would not have added anything.
Ben Arfa not being chosen was particularly galling. Benzema and Ben Arfa playing off of each other would have been as awesome for France as it is for Lyon!
tyduffy
· 1 year ago
I agree with the portion on Zizou.
Unlike much of my Gooner brethren, I don't think Flamini is the second coming of Christ. But, he has a high work rate, covers a lot of ground, and offers something going forward which France could have used. He is also a versatile sub who can fill in at multiple positions.
wanderer_abroad
· 1 year ago
Excellent piece! I couldn't agree more with your article. Domenech was completely to blame for France's exit. Anyone who says that is harsh look at the facts... 1) Ommitting Flamini for a 36 year-old Makele, injured Vieira and Toulalan who in all honesty is an ordinary player at best. 2) Ommitting Bacary Sagna. The biggest sin out of all in my opinion. Choosing Sagnol, poor for the last 3 or 4 seasons, and Clerc, desperately ordinary, ahead of him is just incompetant. 3) Ommitting Clichy. Ok this was a hard one as picking 2 out of Evra, Abidal and Clichy is difficult enough, but leaving out the most in-form of the three isn't very smart. 4)Ommiting Mexes. This is not surprising as Mexes is about the most underrated defender in the world. It isn't too sensible, however, to choose Jean Alain Boumsong ahead of him....because we all know how much of a quality player Boumsong is! 5) The tactics, oh the tactics! Now this is where it gets interesting. Although Mr tyduffy has already explained most of this I think its interesting to note how tactically naive Domenech is. I'm sorry but I have waited years to say that but have kept my mouth shut due to the berating I would get. However, has France ever played good free-flowing football under Domenech. He is a bad coached who has relied totally on the quality of players to bail out his bad decision making. How, with some of the best attacking players in the world at your desposal, and aging and vunerable back line, do you decide that the best tactic is to play defensively?
Having said all this I must admit that being English, the French pains have been a joy to watch. Lets hope they last a while longer so they make England look a bit better...yeah, that might be one wish too far!
Ric
· 1 year ago
Spot on.
This tournament did show me one thing about the French: Their players must have been very good in the past, because Domenech is terrible. Terrible selection, terrible tactics. He needed to beat Italy yesterday, and played two holding midfielders and brought back Abidal, who was horrible against Netherlands. He got what he deserved. Now, he deserves to be sacked.
tentonipete
· 1 year ago
france lacked drive and commitment in midfield. nobody to grab a game by the scruff of the neck, which is exactly what flamini has been doing all season.
betsy's bolton bum baster
· 1 year ago
How do you know they tuned out the coach? Were you there in the locker room? If they didn't listen to him in 06 then why do you think he's still the coach?
kat kid
· 1 year ago
Clichy Mexes Gallas Adibal
Viera
Ribery Malouda Nasri
Benzema
Henry
kkfla737
· 1 year ago
It's well known in France Domenech was essentially thrown overboard by a player coup who then looked to Zizzou for leadership. The FFF like every FA is full of politics so he was retained, but a majority of the french players do not like him and this is well documented.
All Comments
This is a good piece with the exception of the mention of Flamini who gets some love it seems because he has the fortune of playing for Arsenal.
Pl;ayers not picked that could have helped France:
Ben Arfa
Cisse
Trezeguet
A. Diarra
perhaps even the forgotten P. Chimbonda who is eligible to play for Guadelope in CONCACAF competitions and France in FIFA events (the best of both worlds- a true rarity in international football.)
Flamini would not have added anything.
Ben Arfa not being chosen was particularly galling. Benzema and Ben Arfa playing off of each other would have been as awesome for France as it is for Lyon!
Unlike much of my Gooner brethren, I don't think Flamini is the second coming of Christ. But, he has a high work rate, covers a lot of ground, and offers something going forward which France could have used. He is also a versatile sub who can fill in at multiple positions.
1) Ommitting Flamini for a 36 year-old Makele, injured Vieira and Toulalan who in all honesty is an ordinary player at best.
2) Ommitting Bacary Sagna. The biggest sin out of all in my opinion. Choosing Sagnol, poor for the last 3 or 4 seasons, and Clerc, desperately ordinary, ahead of him is just incompetant.
3) Ommitting Clichy. Ok this was a hard one as picking 2 out of Evra, Abidal and Clichy is difficult enough, but leaving out the most in-form of the three isn't very smart.
4)Ommiting Mexes. This is not surprising as Mexes is about the most underrated defender in the world. It isn't too sensible, however, to choose Jean Alain Boumsong ahead of him....because we all know how much of a quality player Boumsong is!
5) The tactics, oh the tactics! Now this is where it gets interesting. Although Mr tyduffy has already explained most of this I think its interesting to note how tactically naive Domenech is. I'm sorry but I have waited years to say that but have kept my mouth shut due to the berating I would get. However, has France ever played good free-flowing football under Domenech. He is a bad coached who has relied totally on the quality of players to bail out his bad decision making. How, with some of the best attacking players in the world at your desposal, and aging and vunerable back line, do you decide that the best tactic is to play defensively?
Having said all this I must admit that being English, the French pains have been a joy to watch. Lets hope they last a while longer so they make England look a bit better...yeah, that might be one wish too far!
This tournament did show me one thing about the French: Their players must have been very good in the past, because Domenech is terrible. Terrible selection, terrible tactics. He needed to beat Italy yesterday, and played two holding midfielders and brought back Abidal, who was horrible against Netherlands. He got what he deserved. Now, he deserves to be sacked.
Viera
Ribery Malouda
Nasri
Benzema
Henry