The performance of the French team drew many different emotions from football fans around the world. Mexico fans surely enjoyed the sight of their team overhauling a major European football nation. French fans must have felt huge frustration watching their side put in such a lethargic performance. While Irish fans that still bear grudges from the manner of France’s progression to the World Cup at their expense took some comfort dabbling in a bit of schadenfreude.
Putting aside the feelings of those who have an emotional attachment to France and those who wish bad upon them, it is hard not to feel disappointed in the manner which they conducted themselves throughout their second group game. Although it is wrong to accuse players of lacking effort and not performing, the French players did little to convince viewers that they were trying their hardest to ensure victory for Les Bleus.
The two goals conceded by the French typified their performance as a whole. Lack of drive to close down the opposition in the midfield allowed Rafael Marquez to thread through his pass for Javier Hernandez to round hapless Hugo Lloris in the French goal. While the disinterest shown by French captain Patrice Evra to track back and alleviate his error in allowing Hernandez brush by him in the lead up to the Mexican penalty invokes questions whether this French side have any intentions of even trying to progress from their group.
Until now, most of the blame for any shortcomings surrounding the French team has been laid solely on the head of manager Raymond Domenech. However, this latest performance begs the question if the players should also shoulder the blame and not play badly in spite of the manager, but for their pride in their nation or more generally for the French public?
Neither party deserves the total blame for the deficiency of the French national team over the past four years. Domenech’s poor tactics and personnel choices over the course of his tenure have been at fault for many bad performances and attribute partly to the weak displays in South Africa so far. This however, serves up no excuse for those players who pull on the blue jersey of France to play without conviction, intent and willingness to win a game of football.
Some may call this a harsh criticism of France and an unfair swipe at the team. Agreed it is a harsh critique, but not undeserved. This French squad has an abundance of individual talent and skillful athletes that are capable of defeating any side in the World Cup on their day. If they had tried to win the game and competed for every percentage of possession on offer, no one could question their ethic.
The French performance against Mexico tonight can have fatal drawbacks for the future of football in France. Any passionate French man, woman and child would hate to see a team they are associated give up in such a fashion. Football has never been known to boast fond fans throughout France and the average French persons attitude to their national team could hardly be called affectionate. So before their final group game against South Africa next Tuesday, maybe the French squad should reflect on those they are letting down. Their country, their manager, their fans, but most importantly themselves. Not many people get the chance to play at the World Cup. These players should grab this opportunity with both hands and not be so wasteful.
when you don’t pick Benzema & Nasri and instead take donkeys like Govou & Gignac, then yes, Domenech is entirely to blame for being the biggest idiot in World football. He has destroyed the reputation of French football with his negative tactics and ridiculous selections. He should leave in shame as the WORST French manager of all time.
Domenech must rank as one of the worst coaches in WC 2010. He excluded Narsi, Benzema and Patrick Vieira. He would have needed all 3 against both Uruguay and Mexico.
Les Bleus had no leader, lacked team unity and were missing a scoring threat. Starting Govou & Anelka was a mistake, in particular after the duo showed how ineffective they could be when they managed to muster nothing against the Uruguayans.
Domenech was saved in WC 2006 because of the veterans such as Thuram Vieira, Makelele and of course Zidane. In Euro 2008 he led one of the worst campaigns which included decisive defeats to both Holland and Italy.
The tactics were worse than the selections. They shouldn’t have bothered going on the pitch. As to the French players who lacked enthusiasm, it’s kind of hard to blame them when they were required to play the tactics that only an imbecile would stick with. Good riddance Domenech
It’s quite disappointing when you consider France have quality players such as Ribery and some solid performers such as Toulalan.
No one will probably understand why Govou keeps starting or even why he was selected as part of the squad for S. Africa 2010.