Last time France landed in Faroe, they barely made it safely to the ground but still managed to score six goals in a 2007 Euro qualifier. But that was before the disaster of Euro 2008 and the pathetic beginnings of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Les Bleus now trail Serbia in UEFA Group Seven.
The ever courageous French manager Raymond Domenech has already described the game against the ferocious Faroe (163rd in FIFA ranking, 1 point in Group 7 obtained vs. Austria) as a “trap” while admitting that anything less than a victory would be a disaster. Fortunately Yohann Gourcuff has already shown some magic with a brace in the first Bordeaux game of Ligue 1, while the probable partnership of recently impressive Malouda and Nicolas Anelka could bring the goals in the absence of the doubtful savior Franck Ribery.
Thierry Henry has not made the trip so William Gallas will inherit the captaincy, a job he accomplished quite unconvincingly with his current team Arsenal up until late 2008. Meanwhile, Nice’s striker Loïc Rémy (picture above), a player Lyon relentlessly pursued throughout the summer, might make his debut and confirm his status as the next Benzema (whether it is as a team wonder or a Bleu underachiever), unless he becomes the next Andre-Pierre Gignac? Last year Ligue 1’s top scorer, he has yet to find the goal in a possible 4th appearance with Les Bleus. Also expected to shine are Michael Ballack’s new friend Patrice Evra, Real Madrid’s “new Makelele”, Lassana Diarra and Lyon’s underrated Sydney Govou (mark my words, he will score!)
France should win this one 5 – 0 but will probably declare a holiday if they only win by a two goal margin. That is France under Domenech, a team full of talent with no clear tactic that never fails to disappoint. Also to be noted, Patrick Vieira was not selected and it is this time not due to injury, so seeing him in the national blue jersey might not ever happen again…sad considering the services rendered to the team but not a surprise knowing that he shall be sitting on Inter’s bench for most of the season.
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