France vs. Mexico ? El Tri Can Beat the Former Champions
by Al Dannity on June 15, 2010 in Soccer, Sports, World Cup
France and Mexico enter Thursday?s match-up coming off disappointing performances but for radically different reasons. Al Dannity says this game will tell us about more than just the immediate fortunes of both sides.
Mexico?s need for re-invention
Mexico came out of its 1-1 draw with South Africa with plenty to worry about on defense. This team did not play like the fluid unit Javier Aguirre developed to guide El Tri to South Africa. The high line used by Mexico?s back three left them exposed to balls over the top and they made hard work of an average South African frontline. The use of Rafael Marquez as an attack minded rather than defensive sweeper proved particularly costly in this respect. The midfield by contrast was far more effective with Paul Aguilar having a field day until his necessary substitution in the second half after Mexico went a goal down. While the strikers failed to shine, Mexico?s midfield did enough to keep the South African defense busy. In short this team is playing like one that can score goals but concede almost as easily.
France lacks firepower
The decision by Les Bleus to play a lone man up front proved the right one against Uruguay?s back three but everything else about the way France played proved a cause for concern. France played with a complete lack of creativity in attack and were only spared defeat because Uruguay had similar problems. Nicolas Anelka, a star with English Premier League champions Chelsea, was just awful and was rightly substituted for the aging Thierry Henry in the second half. If France plans on winning any games in this tournament it will need its attack minded players to get back to basics and work out the fundamentals of unlocking a defense.
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It?s time for goals
The one thing this World Cup has lacked is teams willing to take command of a game once they had the lead. Germany is the only exception we?ve seen to a pattern of teams playing cautiously after scoring the first goal. It?s going to change and this game will be the start.
Look for Javier Aguirre to change Mexico?s defence so it drops deeper, leaving less room for a no doubt improved Anelka to work in. The midfield will be where this game is won and lost. While France has bigger names, Mexico is more fluid in the game it plays and that will be the difference. El Tri will open up in attack and score twice in this game. Don?t rule out France pulling one back so take Sports Interaction?s price of +1100 on Mexico to win 2-1.
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by Al Dannity on June 15, 2010 in Soccer, Sports, World Cup
France and Mexico enter Thursday?s match-up coming off disappointing performances but for radically different reasons. Al Dannity says this game will tell us about more than just the immediate fortunes of both sides.
Mexico?s need for re-invention
Mexico came out of its 1-1 draw with South Africa with plenty to worry about on defense. This team did not play like the fluid unit Javier Aguirre developed to guide El Tri to South Africa. The high line used by Mexico?s back three left them exposed to balls over the top and they made hard work of an average South African frontline. The use of Rafael Marquez as an attack minded rather than defensive sweeper proved particularly costly in this respect. The midfield by contrast was far more effective with Paul Aguilar having a field day until his necessary substitution in the second half after Mexico went a goal down. While the strikers failed to shine, Mexico?s midfield did enough to keep the South African defense busy. In short this team is playing like one that can score goals but concede almost as easily.
France lacks firepower
The decision by Les Bleus to play a lone man up front proved the right one against Uruguay?s back three but everything else about the way France played proved a cause for concern. France played with a complete lack of creativity in attack and were only spared defeat because Uruguay had similar problems. Nicolas Anelka, a star with English Premier League champions Chelsea, was just awful and was rightly substituted for the aging Thierry Henry in the second half. If France plans on winning any games in this tournament it will need its attack minded players to get back to basics and work out the fundamentals of unlocking a defense.
If you haven?t an account with Sports Interaction, open one now and we?ll bonus your first deposit by 100% up to $116!
It?s time for goals
The one thing this World Cup has lacked is teams willing to take command of a game once they had the lead. Germany is the only exception we?ve seen to a pattern of teams playing cautiously after scoring the first goal. It?s going to change and this game will be the start.
Look for Javier Aguirre to change Mexico?s defence so it drops deeper, leaving less room for a no doubt improved Anelka to work in. The midfield will be where this game is won and lost. While France has bigger names, Mexico is more fluid in the game it plays and that will be the difference. El Tri will open up in attack and score twice in this game. Don?t rule out France pulling one back so take Sports Interaction?s price of +1100 on Mexico to win 2-1.
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