France World Cup Preview

The whole world is excited for this spectacle. Not only the football fans, but the whole world. Now the leagues are pretty much over, everyone are counting days and now can’t wait for it. Also the players can’t wait for it. And there will be 23 players from a country of Europe, where the most romantic language is spoken, who will be up and ready to for this.

France, 1998 Champions and 2006 Runners-up, barely qualified for the World cup, after Ukraine gave them a big scare in the 1^st leg play-off but Les Bleus came back strongly , winning the 2^nd leg 3-0, two goals from the scary Sakho and Madrid striker Benzema. Most of the fans are not expecting much in this world cupthough, not putting France in the “top-teams” bracket. 23^rd in the ranking, Poor last world cup and a very decent Euros campaign in 2012, has done everything but increased confidence of French fans.

France squad came out just a few days ago so it’s the perfect time to analyse France’s situation now.

France had a difficult qualifying group to pass as they already had the World Cup Champions in their group so they were always expected to come 2nd and play the playoff. France in fact, stopped Spain on one occasion when they held them to 1-1 in Madrid which was a wonderful match played by les bleus with Giroud equalizing in injury time. In play off we all know what happened as explained earlier and then France were happily on the plane to Brazil.

Here is analysing all the aspects of France and let see how good can France be in this World Cup-

 Formation

Deschamps has experimented a lot in the qualifiers as well as the friendlies. He likes to play a solid 4 in defense always and prefers to play one striker upfront. Tried with Giroud and Benzema once together but didn’t work out. He has experimented with a 3 man midifield and playing a 4-3-3 and playing 4-2-3-1 with strong pivot of box-to-box player like Matuidi and alongside him Pogba. 4-3-3 seems to be his favourite and it was that formation(he changed from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 from 1^st leg to 2^nd leg) that took Les bleus to the world cup. It has also worked in the recent friendly vs Norway when France won by 4-0, Valbuena getting 3 assists. So most probably it will be a 4-3-3

Expected Formation in the World Cup

Goal Keepers

Leading the side will be the man behind the four defenders, Hugo Lloris. Despite Tottenham having not that good a season, Lloris was always busy and was up to the mark. Occasionally also captaining the Spurs side, he has done pretty well lately as captain. Landreau and Ruffier will be the second and the third choice keepers. Decent enough. Steven Mandanda made the cut, was the second choice but unfortunately got a neck injury in the match between Marseille and Guingamp. Ruffier was brought on as his replacement

Centre Backs

Any team that has won the world cup has had an excellent defense. France at the moment doesn’t boast the likes of Thiago Silva, or Sergio Ramos, or Mats Hummels but they have one of the most intelligent defenders from the Premier League and one of the best young defenders in the World. Laurent Koscielny and Raphael Varane, respectively, if anyone was still thinking.

Koscielny has improved a lot since he came to Arsenal from FC Lorient and has made a big name for himself. Now a starter for the national team, will be the organiser and the main person in defense. Alongside him there are 3 options. Varane, Sakho and Mangala, who seem to have an equal chance, though Deschamps prefers the Liverpool man. Sakho came from PSG to Liverpool as he couldn’t establish himself as a starter at his childhood club due to big names Alex and Thiago Silva. Now at Liverpool, he was more of a regular until Daniel Agger came back from injury and he did quite well. Importanty, for France, scored the two important goals which brought them into the World Cup.

Along with that add the FC porto player Mangala, who has also improved a lot this season and is linked to big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester united and Manchester City. Mangala will be a very good third option for Deschamps. And the last center back, arguably the best young central defender and playing at one of the best clubs in the world, Raphael Varane. Varane can be deadly at set pieces and also has a very good speed. Compared to Real Madrid legend Hierro, he is a very viable option for France.

Full Backs

Deschamps has chosen 2 left backs and 2 right backs. Digne and Evra for the left position and Debuchy and Sagna for the right. Evra the senior player, will most probably the starter and can be the biggest weakness for France as he has been poor defensively for United for quite much time now but his crosses are still quite good. Surprisingly, Clichy has not been selected. Though this is the best platform for Evra to show that he can still perform. 

Sagna and Debuchy both have been equally used by Deschamps on right. Along with Jallet and One more headache for Deschamps. Statistically, Debuchy has been easily better than Sagna this season. Descahmps has preferred Debuchy lately over Sagna and despite all the experience Sagna has, Debuchy could be the starter for France in Brazil.

Central Midfielders

France midfield squad includes of Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi, Moussa Sissoko Rio Mavuba and Clement Grenier. The first three mentioned will be the three starting in a three man midfield. The charismatic Pogba, who is a box to box player, is one of the best young talents around, won the young player of the year award as well in 2013, has a great long shot in him, and helps the team attackingly as well as defensively. Pogba needs to just keep calm, otherwise some of the cards can cost the team a lot.The technician Cabaye plays some great long balls and can dictate the play, which will be essential in the world cup. The dynamic Matuidi, who is like a Manager’s favourite, another box to box midfielder. He will do everything you want him to, whether its attacking or defensively.

One weakness of France can be, if they need some other options in the midfield, the quality of the rest three midfielders is not at the level of the starting three. France can get into real trouble if one of them gets injured or suspended.

The better option which can be in such a situation is that play, the left two in a midfield pivot and changing the formation to a 4-2-3-1 where Griezzman takes the right wing position and Valbuena gets into his favourite, just behind the striker position.

The midfield Trio which will be very vital. From Left to Right: Cabaye, Pogba, Matuidi

      Attacking Midfielders/Wingers

If some player is assured of his place in the team, then it’s the France Marquee Player Frank Ribery. He holds the weight of the entire nation at the moment. The Bayern Munich man, came 3^rd in Ballon d’or last year, and had a spectacular season again this time racking up 10 goals and assists each.

Also now comes the biggest decision which Deschamps took, which shocked the footballing world. The first shock was given before the World Cup. Nasri was not selected. A decision which was not liked by many people, especially after a spectacular season.

Deschamps couldn’t risk any kind of mutiny again. 2010 can not happen again. And if anybody could risk it was the Manchester city man. The camp has been unhappy and rumours came in that many of the senior players also didn't want Nasri in the team. Moreover, looking at the team France have Valbuena and Griezzman to fight for that place. The right wing place. Valbuena maybe isn’t playing in his best position which is just behind the striker, but he is extremely effective on the wings as well.

Valbuena, the dimunitive midfielder from Marseille, may just be the surprise of the season. He has been extremely influential in the world cup qualifying run. Deschamps, who was his fromer coach at Marseille, knows him very well, understands him well and he will probably make sure that France doesn’t miss Nasri. He will be the creative edge that France will need. A brilliant article by Michael Cox on why Valbuena can be seen here.

The two of the most important players for Les Bleus

Strikers

Benzema , Giroud and Remy. These are the 3 strikers which France have. 3 very intelligent strikers. Benzema though will be the first choice. He had arguably his best season ever with the Champions League holders, Real Madrid. Benzema, though misses some chances, he has scored at vital times this season, and his overall play has been outstanding. He had a pass percentage of 87% in Champions League which is fantastic for a striker. Going towards wings, or coming a little deep to create space for Bale and Ronaldo, he is doing it perfectly. Though he had his bad periods of France, was booed in consecutive matches, didn’t score for over a 1000 minutes, he has come back strongly.

Giroud had a brilliant start to the season. Scored in the first 5 of the 6 matches for Arsenal. But then unfortunately faded away. Similar to Benzema, an overall good link up play but at times becomes very unselfish. He tends to take less shots and would rather pass to his teammate. Recently though he had a great friendly performance where he impressed his coach and had great linkup with his teammates, also scoring 2 in the process. Deschamps her also has a tough choice.

Giroud and Benzema have started together as an experiment by Deschamps, but it failed miserably. Last time they started together, was in September vs Georgia and it ended in 0-0 and none of them were threatening. 

Remy, who is on loan from QPR to Newcastle, is a very intelligent player and he knows to be in the right place at right time. He had a fantastic season and is rightly selected for the national team and will be a very good backup for these 2 strikers and if needed can play on the wings as well.

Who should start? The Madrid man or the Arsenal man?

Conclusion

Odds to win the world cup for France is 22/1 according to Skybet. France are in Group E, touchwood, fortunately have a very easy group unlike in the qualifiers when they were drawn with Spain, despite the fact they were kept in the 3rd pot while the draws were made. Switzerland will be the toughest opponents who have the veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfield with them, who has changed the team fortunes. Ecuador and Honduras being the other teams, France should have an easy group stage and aim to finish top.

Round of 16 would be against Group F winners or runners up. Taking best case, France will have to play against Bosnia to reach the quarters who have had a terrific form in the last year.And if win this, then their is a high probabilty that we see a clash of France vs Germany in the quarter finals. Round of 16 would be against Group F winners or runners up. Though Germany are one of the favourites to win the cup, France with so many great players and a very good coach, have all the capabilities to get past them.

So hoping for the best for the French Nation and they can hopefully the french fans can see the victory days again.

Argentina - The time is now !

              THE BLUE BRIGADE

             Memories of South Africa and the Copa America a year later is now long gone . For Lionel Messi and his current group of magical footballers its now or never. Playing at their home continent which also happens to be the home of their eternal rivals , Argentina finally look set to go all the way in what is arguably the best sport festival in the world.

                Argentina finished atop the CONMEBOL qualifying fixtures with 32 points forcing 35 goals and conceding 15 along the way followed by Colombia and Chile in second and third positions respectively.With the authoritative and pragmatic Alejandro Sabella at the bench orchestrating things for the albiceleste, this could be their best ever chance to claim the most coveted trophy in all of football .

Alejandro Sabella:

Maradona disguised Messi into El Diego playing him as the classic number 10 in South Africa with all of Argentina's attack going through Messi. Argentina played well against the smaller teams but crashed out at the quater-final stage by a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of a superior German side who just knew what they were doing. Messi fought a lone battle without the support of Veron who used to be Messi's chief supplier being dropped in favour of a certain Carlos Tevez against a superior German midfield marshalled by Swainsteigger and company . Football has changed a lot and it was no more a one-man show in contrast to El-Diego's 86' exploits.Then came Batista who tried to convert Argentina into Barcelona playing Messi in a similar role he played week in week out at Barcelona , 'the false 9'. The system failed again simply because one cannot just play like Barcelona in a fortnight and Argentina did not a have a certain Xavieista to make things work behind Messi. 

 

 Then came Alejandro Sabella who made his mark in the side by giving the armband to his best player in the planet and things never looked  better in the recent past . Sabella is pragmatic in a way he understands that neither can Argentina repeat an 86' nor can they play like Barcelona . He built a defensive team around the attacking prowess of the " Fab 4 " - Lionel Messi , Sergio Aguero , Angel Dimaria and Gonzalo Higuain . His side admitted that they cannot play an attractive possession based football but rather started playing to their strengths . The result saw Messi netting 10 goals in the qualifying , his best ever period in a Argentina shirt.

  

Squad :

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orionu (Boca)

Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting), Jose Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagaro (Inter), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (River), Lisandro Lopez (Getafe

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Newell's), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Newell's), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter), Augusto Fernandez (Celta), Enzo Perez (Benfica), Jose Sosa (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter)

Playing style and formation :

Formation : 4-3-3

The Probable 11 :

Argentina play lightning quick counter-attacking football but still have enough quality to slowly build up an attack from the midfield. Ideally Romero should start at goal ( Only questionable decision of Sabella choosing a bench player over the likes of Willy ). The defense should feature Garay and Federico Fernandez as the duo have been playing together for quite some time now with Zabalata and Rojo guarding the flanks. Mascherano will shield the defence at his natural position of defensive midfield. Injury concerns to Gago might tip the coin in favour of the ex- Valencia number 10 , Ever Banega as he looks to start ahead of injured gago in the right side of a 3 man midfield. Angel Di maria should play as the most advanced midfielder in the left. The attack would feature a fluid constantly changing trio of Aguero, Messi and Higuain with Messi playing a slighlty deeper role than the other two.

Style :

The defense is expected to stay as deep as possible as Argentina might play a conservative style of football. Mascherano might have become a CB but still hasn't forgotten his liverpool days and looks set to play the sweeper/destroyer role quite comfortably . Zabalata can maraud the right flank as Rojo is more defensive minded in the left flank. Ever Banega's ball playing skills would be largely influensive as he would shoulder the responsibilty of supplying Messi with the ball .With Dimaria in the midfield the attacks are going to be lightning quick as he acts as the linch pin between the midfield and attack. Now comes the cruicial part , the final 3- The trio of Messi Aguero Higuain , inarguably the best attack in the world. With Aguero and Higuain cutting in from the flanks , Messi has so much space to operate from the middle . The attack is going to be fluid at best with Messi and Aguero roaming across and Higuain happy being the poacher . Dimaria's inch perfect crosses should keep the opponent's defence on their toes.

Key Players :

Lionel Messi :

This is Messi's best ever chance to win donning the famous blue stripes.Messi is 27 and nearing the prime years of his career . Messi might have had a less illustrious season at Barcelona scoring (just)  40 goals by his standards but is optimistic to turn things around for the Albiceleste. This is your year Messi , go ahead , take the world cup and stamp your mark in history .

Angel Dimaria :

After emerging as a central playmaking figure for Real Madrid late in the 2013-2014 season -- and helping them to win the Champions League -- the former winger firmly established himself as one of the most versatile and most deadly attacking players in the world. There isn't simply no better crosser of the ball than Dimaria currently in the whole of football . Dimaria is playing the best football of his life and is the key-figure of Sabella's team.

Expectations :

Pitted with the likes of Bosnia and Nigeria expect the top seed to top the group, draw Ecuador in the Round of 16, and set its sights on a quarterfinal showdown against Portugal or Belgium.

Predicted finish  : Could face one of Germany or Brazil in the finals and come out as Champions.