football test

In football, there is nothing worse than picking the wrong system for a team and then picking the wrong players to serve that wrong selection. Well, maybe there is something worse. Something like changing the system applied for many years just before landing your plane to compete for a world cup. That’s exactly what happened for France who were forced (or so their coach says) to change their system from 4-2-2-2 (or so), to a 4-3-3 after Lass Diarra injury. But to tell you the truth, I can’t see France playing worse than they did in the past few years. Any change has to be a good change unless if Raymond Domenech surprised us once again.

Everything surrounding this team is controversial. The federation, the coach, the qualification, the selection… One thing stands as a clear fact is that a change will happen after the world cup. After the golden Era of Zidane and co, the team failed to make the transition. A new coach needed. New selection, tactics, and spirit.

Predicted selection (4-3-3):

Lloris, Evra, Abidal, Gallas, Sagna, Toulalan, Malouda, Gourcuff, Ribery, Anelka, Govou.

I am not a fan for many reasons. Tom Williams explained almost everything about this tactical change, so I will not repeat. The cannibalization of roles between Evra, Malouda, and Ribery. The immense defense responsibilities hooked around the neck of one midfielder (Toulalan), the lack of natural goal scoring striker, and the presence of one dimensional Gouvou makes this selection too hard to chant for. 

Uruguay–General view:

One of the black horses for this tournament. They apply one of my favorite systems (3-5-2). They have a very intelligent coach in Oscar Tabarez. And they have one of the best offense duets at the moment: Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan.

Counting on experienced trio at the back, a midfield of high work rate and aggression, behind lethal forwards, this 3-5-2 system fits Uruguay like a glove. How daring the team will be to push forward and dictate their style by moving the opponents to defend will decide how far Uruguay can go in this tournament.

Predicted selection (3-5-2). In fact Oscar Tabarez announced that he will employ this selection against France:

Fernando Muslera, Diego Godin, Diego Lugano, Mauricio Victorino, Maximiliano Pereira, Alvaro Pereira, Arevalo Rios, Diego Perez, Ignacio Gonzalez, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan. 

Regardless of some little surprises, the selection is understandable.

This game will be tricky for France. They no doubt have the quality players to cause damage, but they might get beaten by the South American’s work rate in the midfield. To have a chance to defeat Uruguay they need to keep them in the bay defending. Keeping possession will be a must. Something that might not be as easy as they enjoyed in their friendly games against before the tournament. Uruguay uses five midfielders with Forlan supporting them when they lose possession. If Ribery and co failed to track back the midfield will be too overloaded by the Uruguayan fighters for the French to have a chance.

Yet, Uruguay will have its own concerns as well. The weakness of the 3-5-2 is lateral cover in defense. And when you play against a team that has Evra, Malouda, and Ribery all serving on one flank. There is obviously a difficult task for Tabarez to resolve. Add Govou on the right with Anelka being well known as a player who likes to open to channels to Sagna’s runs on the right flank makes this game a great tactical battle to watch.

There is no surprise that the French are the favorites. But I will dare to bet on Uruguay to create the first shock in the tournament.