I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 2 minutes ago
France have so much strength in depth its scary. Players who can either play for France, or top African sides, queueing up. Can see them dominating international tournament football for the next generation at least.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
are they actually french tho ? .....................
First penalty was stonewall. You don't have to hit a guy hard to bring him down, just a small tap to the trailing leg/ankle will do the trick, as long as it causes the runner's feet to cross and trip each other. That's just what Démbélé did to Di María, imo. I think people might be misjudging that as insufficient contact based more on the reputation South American players have for diving.
I think the second pen, the one that let France back into it, was much more iffy. Hand on the shoulder and a pretty standard grappling for position, the France player goes down like a ton of bricks when it seemed to me he could clearly have stayed on his feet. Stupid of Otamendi to give the ref the decision at that stage in the game, but I don't really think there was enough for a pen.
Either way, both could be and were given, the third one is just how the rules swing nowadays. If the ref hadn't spotted it, there's a fair chance VAR would've called it back.
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought the Rabiot booking could easily have been a red. Scissor tackle from behind catching the player's ankle...those were straight reds, no questions asked a few years ago.
Camavinga took a good couple of clatterings too, one of them did draw a yellow though.
That booze and siesta,didn't clear your head at all IOAG !
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought the Rabiot booking could easily have been a red. Scissor tackle from behind catching the player's ankle...those were straight reds, no questions asked a few years ago.
Camavinga took a good couple of clatterings too, one of them did draw a yellow though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the stuff the Argies have got away with this world cup have been hilarious.
First penalty was stonewall.
_____
Not for me. It was a stupid little push from Dembele who had a mare. A soft pen for me. It was crystal clear that Di Maria would fall like a sack of potatoes.
Ref was a mixed bag tbh. Did some good, some bad.
The penalty was absolutely laughable, I hope those saying it was a stonewall aren't builders. If he's giving that, why didn't Varane get one? both weren't but there was no consistency. He also pulled France back several times instead of playing a clear advantage. He also didn't book Martinez for kicking the ball away and being a plank.
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 40 minutes ago
First penalty was stonewall.
_____
Not for me. It was a stupid little push from Dembele who had a mare. A soft pen for me. It was crystal clear that Di Maria would fall like a sack of potatoes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the clip of the leg, not the push.
comment by HarlequinHebdo (U16981)
posted 57 minutes ago
That booze and siesta,didn't clear your head at all IOAG !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No booze at all was more likely the problem. Bad case of the tropical squits all week.
No more Benzema (official) or Giroud for the French National Team.
Mbappé is going to need a decent supporting act.
I'm not really convinced by Thuram so I hope Nkunku will be that man
Will be interesting to see if France look at moving Mbappe into the middle on a permanent basis.
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 42 minutes ago
No more Benzema (official) or Giroud for the French National Team.
Mbappé is going to need a decent supporting act.
I'm not really convinced by Thuram so I hope Nkunku will be that man
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah Thuram is just a physical specimen
Nkunku, Dembele, plenty of talent for France. Need a new manager though.
Interesting that no real outstanding white players. The majority are part of the old guard who may retire soon.
That performance showed the mental strength France have that England simply don’t have. Italy have it aswell as past German teams. Get battered embarrassingly but still almost pull of a heist
Some of the injuries helped France a little I feel, I think Giroud fits better within the XI for France than Benzema, Kante would've been a downgrade on any of the other midfielders and Theo Hernandez as the more attacking fullback option I felt benefited Deschamps by forcing his hand as well.
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
comment by Lisandro The King Martinez (U10026)
posted 58 seconds ago
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nkunku as well. He started to develop a good relationship with Mbappe and as Muani few appearances shown, having a more mobile outlet was beneficial.
He would have also provided a breather for Griezmann and he can play as AM.
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
Didn’t offset it in the knock out stages. Hard to know with Pogba because of his fitness, but I’ve not doubt he’d have been their best midfielder again like he usually is. It wasn’t a surprise that France weren’t as good on the counter without his ability to play the ball from deep.
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, I think he'd have benched Rabiot tbh. With Tchouameni sitting deeper, Pogba would have had more freedom to go forward, just like he does with Kante
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Lisandro The King Martinez (U10026)
posted 58 seconds ago
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nkunku as well. He started to develop a good relationship with Mbappe and as Muani few appearances shown, having a more mobile outlet was beneficial.
He would have also provided a breather for Griezmann and he can play as AM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good point about the mobility and Greizmann.
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, I think he'd have benched Rabiot tbh. With Tchouameni sitting deeper, Pogba would have had more freedom to go forward, just like he does with Kante
----------------------------------------------------------------------
France's left side would have been considerably weaker than it already was with Pogba in for Rabiot.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
———
They were playing a back three with Pogba before this world cup, so you’re probably right about this.
France didn't miss Kante, given Tchouameni's performances, but they missed:
Lucas Hernandez - a far better defender than Theo. This was a massive miss
Kimpembe - better than Upamecano. Not sure why Konate wasn't used more often
Pogba - their biggest miss by far. They simply have no replacement for what he offers. Rabiot is a massive downgrade.
Benzema - some claim Giroud is better for France cos of his scoring record. The problem is when he doesn't score, Giroud, with his sluggishness and maddening sloppiness in possession, is a far bigger liability than Benzema who offers a lot more other than scoring.
Nkunku - could have either been a starter or France's best impact sub. Was really disappointed he missed the tournament.
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Now that the dust has settled... France!
Page 2 of 3
posted on 19/12/22
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 19/12/22
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 2 minutes ago
France have so much strength in depth its scary. Players who can either play for France, or top African sides, queueing up. Can see them dominating international tournament football for the next generation at least.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
are they actually french tho ? .....................
posted on 19/12/22
First penalty was stonewall. You don't have to hit a guy hard to bring him down, just a small tap to the trailing leg/ankle will do the trick, as long as it causes the runner's feet to cross and trip each other. That's just what Démbélé did to Di María, imo. I think people might be misjudging that as insufficient contact based more on the reputation South American players have for diving.
I think the second pen, the one that let France back into it, was much more iffy. Hand on the shoulder and a pretty standard grappling for position, the France player goes down like a ton of bricks when it seemed to me he could clearly have stayed on his feet. Stupid of Otamendi to give the ref the decision at that stage in the game, but I don't really think there was enough for a pen.
Either way, both could be and were given, the third one is just how the rules swing nowadays. If the ref hadn't spotted it, there's a fair chance VAR would've called it back.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought the Rabiot booking could easily have been a red. Scissor tackle from behind catching the player's ankle...those were straight reds, no questions asked a few years ago.
Camavinga took a good couple of clatterings too, one of them did draw a yellow though.
posted on 19/12/22
That booze and siesta,didn't clear your head at all IOAG !
posted on 19/12/22
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
I thought the ref was too lenient, let too many cases of players being pulled back when starting a breakaway go, or if he did blow up, he never showed what were obvious yellow cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought the Rabiot booking could easily have been a red. Scissor tackle from behind catching the player's ankle...those were straight reds, no questions asked a few years ago.
Camavinga took a good couple of clatterings too, one of them did draw a yellow though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the stuff the Argies have got away with this world cup have been hilarious.
posted on 19/12/22
First penalty was stonewall.
_____
Not for me. It was a stupid little push from Dembele who had a mare. A soft pen for me. It was crystal clear that Di Maria would fall like a sack of potatoes.
posted on 19/12/22
Ref was a mixed bag tbh. Did some good, some bad.
The penalty was absolutely laughable, I hope those saying it was a stonewall aren't builders. If he's giving that, why didn't Varane get one? both weren't but there was no consistency. He also pulled France back several times instead of playing a clear advantage. He also didn't book Martinez for kicking the ball away and being a plank.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 40 minutes ago
First penalty was stonewall.
_____
Not for me. It was a stupid little push from Dembele who had a mare. A soft pen for me. It was crystal clear that Di Maria would fall like a sack of potatoes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the clip of the leg, not the push.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by HarlequinHebdo (U16981)
posted 57 minutes ago
That booze and siesta,didn't clear your head at all IOAG !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No booze at all was more likely the problem. Bad case of the tropical squits all week.
posted on 19/12/22
No more Benzema (official) or Giroud for the French National Team.
Mbappé is going to need a decent supporting act.
I'm not really convinced by Thuram so I hope Nkunku will be that man
posted on 19/12/22
Will be interesting to see if France look at moving Mbappe into the middle on a permanent basis.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 42 minutes ago
No more Benzema (official) or Giroud for the French National Team.
Mbappé is going to need a decent supporting act.
I'm not really convinced by Thuram so I hope Nkunku will be that man
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah Thuram is just a physical specimen
Nkunku, Dembele, plenty of talent for France. Need a new manager though.
Interesting that no real outstanding white players. The majority are part of the old guard who may retire soon.
That performance showed the mental strength France have that England simply don’t have. Italy have it aswell as past German teams. Get battered embarrassingly but still almost pull of a heist
posted on 19/12/22
Some of the injuries helped France a little I feel, I think Giroud fits better within the XI for France than Benzema, Kante would've been a downgrade on any of the other midfielders and Theo Hernandez as the more attacking fullback option I felt benefited Deschamps by forcing his hand as well.
posted on 19/12/22
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Lisandro The King Martinez (U10026)
posted 58 seconds ago
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nkunku as well. He started to develop a good relationship with Mbappe and as Muani few appearances shown, having a more mobile outlet was beneficial.
He would have also provided a breather for Griezmann and he can play as AM.
posted on 19/12/22
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
posted on 19/12/22
Didn’t offset it in the knock out stages. Hard to know with Pogba because of his fitness, but I’ve not doubt he’d have been their best midfielder again like he usually is. It wasn’t a surprise that France weren’t as good on the counter without his ability to play the ball from deep.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, I think he'd have benched Rabiot tbh. With Tchouameni sitting deeper, Pogba would have had more freedom to go forward, just like he does with Kante
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Lisandro The King Martinez (U10026)
posted 58 seconds ago
I think Hernandez was a big reason why they were so weak at the back. Pogba and Kimpembe were pretty big misses of the injured players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nkunku as well. He started to develop a good relationship with Mbappe and as Muani few appearances shown, having a more mobile outlet was beneficial.
He would have also provided a breather for Griezmann and he can play as AM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good point about the mobility and Greizmann.
posted on 19/12/22
comment by Corrupted fecking FIFA (U10012)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think the width he provided with his overlaps offset that though - especially considering how passive they were.
Would be interesting to see how different they would have looked with Pogba. I don't think he would've been able to do the Rabiot role of covering the left side where Mbappe wasn't. I don't think he would have been as good as Tchouameni at dominating the midfield. So it would have been him or Griezmann and Griezmann was probably their best player.
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, I think he'd have benched Rabiot tbh. With Tchouameni sitting deeper, Pogba would have had more freedom to go forward, just like he does with Kante
----------------------------------------------------------------------
France's left side would have been considerably weaker than it already was with Pogba in for Rabiot.
posted on 19/12/22
(defensively that is)
posted on 19/12/22
I guess they'd have had to change their formation completely to fit him in.
———
They were playing a back three with Pogba before this world cup, so you’re probably right about this.
posted on 20/12/22
France didn't miss Kante, given Tchouameni's performances, but they missed:
Lucas Hernandez - a far better defender than Theo. This was a massive miss
Kimpembe - better than Upamecano. Not sure why Konate wasn't used more often
Pogba - their biggest miss by far. They simply have no replacement for what he offers. Rabiot is a massive downgrade.
Benzema - some claim Giroud is better for France cos of his scoring record. The problem is when he doesn't score, Giroud, with his sluggishness and maddening sloppiness in possession, is a far bigger liability than Benzema who offers a lot more other than scoring.
Nkunku - could have either been a starter or France's best impact sub. Was really disappointed he missed the tournament.
Page 2 of 3