England vs. France: Review and Player Ratings (Part 1)
A poor and disjointed Fabio Capello’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat by a slick passing performance from Laurent Blanc’s team trying to redeem themselves after their own World Cup disappointment.
Marseille’s striker Mathieu Valbuena and Real Madrid’s hit man Karim Benzema gave the visitors a deserved two goals lead at Wembley. A late consolation goal from towering Spurs’ attacker, Peter Crouch, gave home fans some hope for a comeback,
which certainly never came.
Les Blues settled quicker than the home side, testing English in the box just after eight minutes when Samir Nasri flew down the left flank and with plenty of space around him, sent in a weak shot that Ben Foster initially fumbled but
managed to collect.
Nasri was at it again minutes later when he skipped past Phil Jagielka, only to spoon his shot high and wide, but moments later a powerful long-range effort from M’Villa forced Birmingham keeper into an awkward save low to his left hand
side, with Benzema sending the ensuing corner over the bar with his head.
The visitors were coming closer and closer and it was only a matter of time before they went ahead. Benzema and Malouda exchanged a neat one-two to allow the latter to dart into the opposition penalty area and the Madrid striker slammed
a low shot inside England keeper’s near post to give his side an earned lead.
Fabio Capello’s men were looking absolutely clumsy and predictable considering their unfamiliar team they were dominated by the visitors. The Three Lions gave away far too easily and it looked like there was no plan to the game.
Given the home side’s lack of any new tactical approach, France decided to give the move that led to the opening goal another go, this time Mathieu Valbuena and Yoann Gorcuff, who in particular had a remarkably good game, combining but
Phill Jagielka managed to get back and blocked the move.
Against the run of play, it was in fact the Three Lions that came closest next, and using the same method they had been using for the opening half hour, when Henderson nodded down a long ball right onto the foot of the onrushing James
Milner, but his half volley flew over the goal.
As the half wore on, the home side started to settle and find space in midfield. James Milner managed to drive past Bacary Sagna to cause excitement for the home fans, only for Adil Rami to slide in for a touch. This was shortly followed
by Gareth Barry and Theo Walcott linking up well in the centre of midfield to allow the Arsenal winger to gallop forward, successfully attempt a step-over or two, but ultimately fail with the final pass to slip in Carroll just outside the opposition penalty
area.
The England manager made some changes at the half time; Fabio Capello replaced Arsenal winger, Theo Walcott, with Adam Johnson and moreover, England captain, Rio Ferdinand was also called off as Micah Richard took his place. On the other
side, the visitors also made some a changes, Mexes was brought off in order to hand Mamadou Sakho his French national team debut.
The ensuing change in player positions, with Steven Gerrard going more central and James Milner dropping slightly further back but this did not do the home side any favours as before they knew it they were hit by another goal.
To be continued…
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