2010 World Cup Group A preview: France v Mexico
Following their abject display against Uruguay last Friday, France must regroup and produce a vastly improved performance against Mexico in Polokwane to keep themselves in contention for a place in the last 16.
Les Blues were favourites to progress top of Group A, but their 0-0 draw against the Uruguayans done little to suggest they have what it takes to escape the group, let alone win their second World Cup.
Meanwhile, Mexico were far more eye-catching in the opening match against South Africa. Although they only drew the match 1-1, Javier Aguirre’s side were the better team by a distance, and really should have secured all three points.
They will have been buoyed by watching France’s goalless draw later on that evening. The much-maligned Raymond Domenech, who already had few friends in France before the World Cup had begun, done little to improve his unpopular reputation by refusing to start Florent Malouda.
There were reports of a bust-up between coach and player, although these rumours were quickly played down by the French camp. If it was a tactical decision, it was a curious one given Malouda’s imperious form for Chelsea in the final months of the season.
The likes of Franck Ribéry, Nicolas Anelka and Yoann Gourcuff all featured but failed to shine against Uruguay, and as a result, the calls for Domenech to start Malouda on the left-flank against Mexico have intensified in recent days.
France’s opponents know they’re unlikely to have as many clear cut chances on Thursday evening compared to their opening match. Mexico could easily have had three or four goals but spurned a host of decent openings – a similar showing of wastefulness in front of goal against Les Blues would almost certainly result in them having to pay a high price indeed.
Defeat for either side will leave them on the brink of an early exit from the World Cup. In such a tight group, every point is invaluable, but simply avoiding defeat is not always enough at this stage of the competition. Finishing the match with all three points will be the aim of both teams as they aim to take a stronghold of Group A.
With Domenech departing the national side after this summer’s tournament, the pressure is firmly on France’s longest-serving manager to end his reign on a high note. A group stage exit would see his reputation tarnished further, as he risks going down in history as one of the nation’s most unpopular coaches of all-time despite guiding them to the World Cup Final four years ago.
His counterpart, Aguirre, may opt to start Javier Hernandez, who made a cameo performance in the closing stages of Mexico’s first match; and the Manchester United striker could replace Guillermo Franco.
Carlos Vela and the impressive Giovani Dos Santos are likely to start in a three-pronged attack once again; but Cuauhtemoc Blanco will almost certainly start the match from the bench after looking every bit his 37-years of age in the last game.
Meanwhile, Rafael Marquez, the man who scored Mexico’s equaliser against Bafana Bafana, has been passed fit to play after sustaining a minor calf injury, and is likely to start in midfield.
As for France, they’re currently sweating on the fitness of William Gallas after he missed training with a muscular problem. With a lack of options in central defence, Domenech will be praying that the 32-year-old pulls through to partner Eric Abidal at the heart of the French back four.
Big questions are currently being asked of France. With a lot of talent at their disposal, another lackluster showing could see them become the big name casualty of the group stages.
The vibrant and flamboyant Mexicans will be desperate to seal their first win of the World Cup against the disjointed French, and with little to separate the two sides, they may end up doing just that.
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