France at the World Cup

France

 

Manager: Raymond Domenech

Captain: Thierry Henry

FIFA World Ranking: 7

World Cup Appearances: 12

Best World Cup: Winners – 1998

 

 

 

Profile:

 

The 1998 World Cup winners will have high hopes of winning another World Cup in South African but, however, could count themselves lucky to even be in the tournament after they qualified not only via a play-off but also under controversial circumstances. The French beat the Republic or Ireland 2-1, although their eventual winners didn’t come until late into extra-time and it was adied via the hand of Thierry Henry before William Galls nodded home to send France to South Africa, at the expense of a glum ROI.

 

Henry’s part in France qualifying sparked uproar amongst not only the Irish FA but also with neutrals from all around the globe, and France might not be welcomed as warmly as some of the other European nations. To add to the hostility, even the French supporters aren’t best pleased with their squad of underachievers as their displays in qualifying where bewilderingly bad at times, and the fact that it took a dubious goal to seal their qualification doesn’t bode well with the French fans as they’ve had it in for Raymond Domenech for a while now, pretty much ever since their poor showing at Euro 2008 at which France didn’t even make it pass the group stage of the competition.

 

The French, though, remain a big contender for the crown regardless of their lacklustre qualifying campaign. Their squad is jam-packed with world class quality, whilst they generally tend to do well on the big stage, with the exception of their poor showing in their last major event – the European Champions in 2008. They will have a big point to prove, though, not only after their disappointing 2008 but, also, to make amends for their sluggish campaign through qualifying.

 

 

 

Key Player:

 

 

Thierry Henry –

 

It’s fair to say that Henry isn’t at his sublime best right now and hasn’t been ever since his move from Arsenal to Barcelona back in 2007. However, his wide-spread experience within the game is second to none, and he is still a classy player, he just lacks consistency. Close control, skills, composure in front of goal; Henry still has that and more, and he will be a big player for France this summer, especially as a leader, with Domenech handing Henry the captaincy, one of the biggest honours in Henry’s illustrious career.

 

 

Franck Ribery –

 

This player is up there with the very best when fit, but that’s been the major problem with Ribery this season in that injuries have restricted his appearance for Bayern Munich. On his day, when in tip-top shape, Ribery is as good as Ronaldo & Messi and would get into any team in the world on quality alone. He is immensely fast from a stationary position, has more tricks in his locker than a Swiss army knife, but can also knows where the goal is and how to finish with aplomb. Ribery, providing he is fit, will be the biggest danger man in the France squad and the majority of their opportunities will arise through him. He is a pain down that left flank but he’s even deadlier when you allow him to cut inside and have a pop – you just can’t keep the guy down.

 

 

Nicolas Anleka –

 

The incredible sulk appears to have found some second wind under Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea and has been finding the goal with ease back in the Premiership. Anelka has always been a deadly hitman up front, no matter which team he ends up at, but the criticism in past seasons is that Anelka doesn’t do enough running on the pitch to get himself into a position to score, but that is an area where Anelka has improved the most in the last year or so. He is reading the play so much better now, and while he has always possessed the ability to score a goal out of absolutely nothing, he can know get into the right positions to score from mere yards out, which is just as important as it makes him one of the leanest strikers on the planet.

 

 

 

 

Strengths:

 

Their main attribute is their attacking play, just because they have so much talent in the final third of the pitch. If France get into the opposing half then their opponents are in serious trouble as France have players that can tear defences apart. Ribery, Henry, Anelka, Benzema, Nasri… we could literally go on and on… but the point remains the same. On a good day, France really do pack-a-punch.

 

 

Weakness:

 

The French just come across as lazy people, just too laid back, and this does show in their football at times. With the exception of Ribery who can stride forward in lightening time, France don’t have too many players which will take the bull by the scruff of the horns, and by that we mean pick the ball up from deep in their own half and sprint forward with it. Once they get into the final third they should be fine but it’s getting there, and in quick time. France often take too long passing it around in midfield and by this time their opponents have settled into a solid defensive formation. They need to add more pace in their attacks and use the flanks a whole lot more as they have more than enough talent in those areas to exploit most defences.

 

 

 

Qualification:

 

 

Sector: Europe

Group: 7

Position: 2^nd (Qualified via a 2-1 victory over Republic of Ireland in a play-off)

Win-Draw-Lose: 6-3-1

Goals Scored: 18

Goals Conceded: 9

 

 

 

 

Qualifying statistics:

 

 

• France had to rely on a wide-spread of goalscorers to get them through an awkward group 7 , with Gignac & Henry sharing the top goalscorer honour with just four goals each.

• Austria were the only nation to beat France during qualifying, with Domenech’s under fire France losing their opening qualifier 3-1 in Vienna.

• France ended the group unbeaten in nine before losing 1-0 at home to Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers, a defeat which ended an unbeaten run of 10 for France.

• Over half of France’s victories in qualifying came via a NIL scoreline, so a tidy defence has been the basis for their successful qualification bid.

• Only Thierry Henry and Bakari Sagna played every qualifier, including the two-legged play-off with ROI.

 

 

World Cup Potential: 4/5

 

 

France aren’t high up on our list of possible outright winners but they will be a contenders nevertheless. They have a host of big names which can turn any match on it’s head and win the huge encounters. They are a team that will need to hit the ground running, though, and a sluggish start could spell the end before the tournament has even began, although, the last time France won their opening game was back in 1998. The same year France went on to record their first ever World Cup outright win. An outside chance, but others are preferred.

 

 

 

 

Current World Cup Odds: 16/1 Bet365

World Cup Group A - Table

Rank	Team	Matches / Points
	South Africa	0 Matches / 0 Points
	Mexico	0 Matches / 0 Points
	Uruguay	0 Matches / 0 Points
	France	0 Matches / 0 Points

World Cup Fixtures and Results