Game in a sentence
Strong in defence, a shambles in attack, France offered up little to trouble clinical Spain in the most boring match of Euro 2012.
Observations
- For France, some significant tactical/personnel changes from the team that lost to Sweden in the final round of the group stages. Philippe Mexes was suspended, so Koscielny started alongside Rami in central defence. Laurent Blanc started something resembling a 4-3-2-1, which meant Debuchy moved up from right-back to right midfield with Yann M’Vila and Florent Malouda. Diarra sat on the bench, and Cabaye and Ribery played behind Benzema up front. The idea I’m sure was to allow France to stay compact in the midfield in defence whilst giving them options to break along either flank.
- Spain meanwhile were identical to their squad against Croatia, save for the reintroduction of Senor False 9, Cesc Fabregas. The reasoning behind Del Bosque’s decision to go without a centre forward became apparent fairly early; in possession, the entire midfield played in front of usually five or seven French defenders, waiting for an incisive run (often from David Silva).
- First, Euro 2012 is awful. If we’re talking about crowd atmosphere. Another funeral home stadium. Empty seats, no sound—just like a Canada friendly.
- France’s problem wasn’t in defence. Spain’s opening goal came from a “just one of those things” mistake from Debuchy covering for Reveillere out on the Spanish left, who fell and allowed Jordi Alba to send in a teasing cross which Xabi Alonso smashed past Lloris with his head in the 19th minute of play. Otherwise, France limited the Spanish threat in front of goal well. Arbeloa was caught offside on several occasions, trying to sneak past the midfield unit, Fabregas made precious few forward runs. As of the hour mark, Spain had ten shots, only two on target. Blanc’s changes worked for the most part.
- The issue for France was the poor link-up play in attack. They were woeful in attacking third passes. Benzema led the way in that category for France, but was unable to link up much with Ribery, or Cabaye. Despite some decent movement on the break, they were disjointed and unable to find a way past Spain, who, like Barca, quickly reduced space in front of the ball out of possession. It didn’t help that both Pique and Sergio Ramos in particular were imperious.
- If you’re here because you’re an Arsenal partisan and you want to know how Laurent Koscielny did, he did fine. Just fine.
- Ribery’s shirt was ripped for a time. So that happened.
- The match was boring simply because Spain has all the boring qualities of Barcelona (pressing, disciplined passes) without the exciting stuff (drilled, defence splitting runs; Messi). The French attack was poor, yes, but Blanc’s approach tipped the scales out of necessity to defence, which meant he couldn’t start with Samir Nasri or Jeremy Menez fuelling Benzema. Both players came on in the 65 minute mark for Debuchy and Malouda, precisely the moment when Del Bosque chucked on Torres, knowing France would press for the equalizer (in theory) leaving room in defence. This has been the Spanish MO for four years running.
- Instead, as the game died out, Reveillere conceded a penalty after body checking Pedro off the ball in the box. Xabi Alonso cooly put it past Lloris in the 90+1 minute. So that also happened…
- Still, you’d think with those players on, France would do something in the last twenty minutes. As it stood, the clock fizzled pathetically out in what was a disappointing third quarterfinal match. That will fuel more tabloidy headlines about dressing room coups and the like. A shame really; the talent in this French side is promising to say the least. Methinks Portugal will be more of an obstacle for Del Bosque’s team.
Three Stars
1. Xabi Alonso
2. Jordi Alba
3. Laurent Koscielny
France backed their way into the quarter finals and it showed with this performance. They could not sustain any offence. I think Benzema was woeful this entire tournament and he showed nothing of his Real Madrid form. Spain seems to be getting stronger as this tourney goes on…
As a gooner, I much appreciate the update on kos!
Cheers,
After Spain scored their first, it just looked like France couldn’t be bothered and just wanted the game to end.
Quite the feeble way to end their tournament.
Spain look like they have no idea to do in the attacking 3rd when Torres doesn’t start. They literally just stand around passing the ball with no ambition of going into the box. The first goal was just bad marking from France that shouldn’t have happened. Xabi was way too open. France’s counter attack was non-existent. They had no link from the defence to the forwards on the counter without Nasri. After seeing that performance I don’t see how Spain will beat Portugal who excel on the counter unless they start Torres. They will not get by the Portuguese backline with that lame passing and on the counter, Nani and Ronaldo are much too good for average players like Arbeloa and Alba.
Then again, Torres really really sucks. Koscielny had him in his pocket the whole time he was on. Alves & Pepe should eat him alive.
I think Portugal has a good shot against Spain too. For Spain to win, they need speed on the wing. They look really good with Navas & Pedro charging down the wings regardless of who’s playing in the middle.
What about Alba’s game makes him an average player in your eyes? Are you insane? Arbeloa could maybe be labeled “average” but not Alba.
Malouda was poor. Provided little offensively and then failed to track back on the late arriving midfielder Xavi Alonso for the opening goal.
France were poor and didn’t deserve to win, but I don’t think they would have conceded those goals if a healthy Bacary Sagna & Diaby were available instead of Reveillere & Malouda. Rev is just not a good player; Sagna would have been more composed in defense. And Malouda bears the greatest responsibility for the first goal, making absolutely no effort to track back. If he doesn’t want to try, he should join Drogba in China.
Mind you, Spain probably would have found another way to score if they had had David Villa.
I’m glad Kos played well and is coming home unscathed. The sooner he gets away from that pack of quitters, egotists & hooligans the better. Why Mexes played in front of him at all is beyond me. M’Vila looked good too; he’ll look a lot better passing to Podolski, RVP, (fingers crossed) and Wilshere. Sign him up, Arsene!
lol @ claiming a clean sheet with Sagna and Diaby. Arsenal fans are so fucking arrogant.
You missed this: “Mind you, Spain probably would have found another way to score if they had had David Villa”
Don’t you think Sagna & Diaby are better than those two? Would Sagna have been as clumsy as Reveillere?
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the game didn’t have messi but it did have that awful Messi Lay’s chips Commercial……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nA0Ih8ZaF0
Congrats to Xabi Alonso….100 caps while playing in this loaded Spanish midfield is a huge accomplishment, good for him.
As far as atmosphere goes, word on the street is that there are so few hotels available in Ukraine, and the ones that are are so damn expensive, that participating fans aren’t travelling to these games, and the locals are attending instead.
of course the stadium was dead. this game was garbage. i can’t stand watching spain. they truly play the hideous game. turned it off at halftime, knew france wouldn’t score and they’d probably hand spain a penalty or france a red card to seal the game. barf.
Another one of the Spain haters out there with no valid reasoning. Maybe if teams actually tried to ATTACK Spain, their games would be more interesting. It’s not Spain’s fault that their opponents turn the game into a one-sided attacking affair nearly every time. It’s one thing to say you don’t like watching games where Spain is involved, but to say you can’t stand watching THEM and that THEY play the hideous game is pretty ridiculous…unless you’re a North American who only watches the sport for GOALS.
In other words, did you hate the way France played too? You didn’t mention a single thing about France and they were TERRIBLE compared to Spain, both in terms of skill and entertainment value. Shows your bias.