Filed under: Sports
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FIFA World Cup runners-up will attempt to go one better this summer
after coping admirably with the retirement of Zinédine Zidane to
qualify from a difficult group. France coach Raymond Domenech has opted
for continuity since the campaign in Germany two years ago, with the
absence of Zidane representing one of few personnel changes.
Coupet chance
Another,
the retirement of Fabien Barthez, has opened the door to Grégory
Coupet who, aged 35, will finally get the chance to shine at a major
tournament. The Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper should be well-protected
by a vastly experienced back four of Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram,
William Gallas and Eric Abidal.
Captain Vieira
Robust
defending has been the cornerstone of Les Bleus’ recent success, as
their record of five goals conceded in 12 qualifiers suggests. The
continued presence of two of the game’s finest holding midfielders,
Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, certainly helps – and if the
former missed much of qualifying through injury, the latter enjoyed
more playing time than anyone. Vieira will captain France if fit.
Record scorer
Domenech
relies largely on a 4-4-2 formation, switching only occasionally to
4-2-3-1. Franck Ribéry and Florent Malouda are now fixtures on
the right and left wings and Thierry Henry is a guaranteed starter in
attack. The country’s record marksman – he went into 2008 on 44
goals, three more than Michel Platini – will be partnered either
by Nicolas Anelka, who caught the eye in 2007 and scored four times in
qualifying, or by Lyon’s exciting 20-year-old Karim Benzema.
Talented tyros
Two
more emerging talents have forced their way into contention as France’s
next generation comes to the fore. Olympique de Marseille starlet Samir
Nasri could feature in the Zidane role should Domenech opt for Henry as
a lone frontrunner, while Lyon’s left-winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 21 in
March, has made a promising start to his international career. The
versatile Sidney Govou provides useful cover.
Squad list
- 1 Steve Mandanda »
- 16 Sébastien Frey »
- 23 Grégory Coupet »
Goalkeepers
- 2 Jean-Alain Boumsong »
- 3 Eric Abidal »
- 5 William Gallas »
- 13 Patrice Evra »
- 14 François Clerc »
- 15 Lilian Thuram »
- 17 Sébastien Squillaci »
- 19 Willy Sagnol »
Defenders
- 4 Patrick Vieira »
- 6 Claude Makelele »
- 7 Florent Malouda »
- 11 Samir Nasri »
- 20 Jérémy Toulalan »
- 21 Lassana Diarra »
- 22 Franck Ribéry »
Midfielders
- 8 Nicolas Anelka »
- 9 Karim Benzema »
- 10 Sidney Govou »
- 12 Thierry Henry »
- 18 Bafetimbi Gomis »
Forwards
