France comes under early pressure
Source: Agencies |
June 13, 2010, Sunday
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DEFENDER Patrice Evra says France must beat Mexico in its next World Cup match to avoid having "an enormous amount of pressure" when it faces South Africa in the final group game.
Coach Raymond Domenech's predictable tactics and France's listless attack could not overcome a Uruguay side reduced to ten men in the second half, and the game in Cape Town ended 0-0.
An uninspired France missed the chance to take control of Group A following South Africa's 1-1 draw with Mexico.
France has now failed to score in the opening match of a major tournament three straight times, and Evra -- France's captain -- sees Thursday's match as crucial.
"It will be a good game because both teams will have to win," Evra said. "We don't want to go into our last game having to beat the home side on their turf with an enormous amount of pressure on us.
"It's a game that you have to win if you want to be a bit more relaxed for the final game," the Manchester United player said. "That's why I'm a bit frustrated because when you see South Africa's result against Mexico, we could have pulled ahead."
France did reach the World Cup final four years ago after drawing its opening match, but that team had playmaker Zinedine Zidane and striker Thierry Henry, who is now past his prime and was only used as a substitute on Friday.
The current French side is unable to break down teams which, like Uruguay, pack the midfield and defend deep. France had the same problem when it drew 0-0 against Romania in their opening match at the European Championship two years ago.
Aside from squandering an early chance when Sidney Govou missed from close range, France created little and its key players were disappointing.
Nicolas Anelka struggled up front, dropping deep and even getting in Govou's way when Abou Diaby finally opened up the Uruguay defense. Franck Ribery looked isolated in midfield and did little to justify his reputation as one of the world's best playmakers. "We didn't have the finishing touch," Domenech said. "We need to score goals. That's our great concern."
Where those goals are going to come from is a mystery. France has become a team that is easy to defend against, and one that offers little threat from free kicks and long-range shots.
The fact Mexico also needs to win Thursday's game means Domenech's team may finally have the space it craves to be able to open teams up. "We're lacking something in the final third," Diaby admitted.
Coach Raymond Domenech's predictable tactics and France's listless attack could not overcome a Uruguay side reduced to ten men in the second half, and the game in Cape Town ended 0-0.
An uninspired France missed the chance to take control of Group A following South Africa's 1-1 draw with Mexico.
France has now failed to score in the opening match of a major tournament three straight times, and Evra -- France's captain -- sees Thursday's match as crucial.
"It will be a good game because both teams will have to win," Evra said. "We don't want to go into our last game having to beat the home side on their turf with an enormous amount of pressure on us.
"It's a game that you have to win if you want to be a bit more relaxed for the final game," the Manchester United player said. "That's why I'm a bit frustrated because when you see South Africa's result against Mexico, we could have pulled ahead."
France did reach the World Cup final four years ago after drawing its opening match, but that team had playmaker Zinedine Zidane and striker Thierry Henry, who is now past his prime and was only used as a substitute on Friday.
The current French side is unable to break down teams which, like Uruguay, pack the midfield and defend deep. France had the same problem when it drew 0-0 against Romania in their opening match at the European Championship two years ago.
Aside from squandering an early chance when Sidney Govou missed from close range, France created little and its key players were disappointing.
Nicolas Anelka struggled up front, dropping deep and even getting in Govou's way when Abou Diaby finally opened up the Uruguay defense. Franck Ribery looked isolated in midfield and did little to justify his reputation as one of the world's best playmakers. "We didn't have the finishing touch," Domenech said. "We need to score goals. That's our great concern."
Where those goals are going to come from is a mystery. France has become a team that is easy to defend against, and one that offers little threat from free kicks and long-range shots.
The fact Mexico also needs to win Thursday's game means Domenech's team may finally have the space it craves to be able to open teams up. "We're lacking something in the final third," Diaby admitted.
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