World Cup 2006 : FCUK - French Connection of Under (K)conduct

Raymond Domeneche, Henri Michel, Roger Lemerre are three of the 32 coaches who lined up their squads for the biggest extravaganza of the world in Deustchland. But after 2 weeks, Henri Michel's squad is already out, though after giving the toughest challenge to all the opponents; Domeneche's squad the champions of 1998 are staring down the barrel and picture is gloomier for Lemerre.

There is something terribly wrong with these coaches that has undermined the performance of their squads. Either it has to do with their own playing careers or their tactics still lingering to olden times and no looking for the latest happenings and ignoring latest developments.

Coach Domeneche has clearly been the most reserved of all in his approach. French in there 180 minutes have never looked like scoring. Somebody please tell him there are mid fielders and forwards also in a team. It looks like there is no team playing out there but 11 players sent out to touch the ball somehow. Henry and Zidane look foolish in this bunch of play. Zidane's World Cup might end if other teams play to oust France here, who do not look like to do anything extra. If the game against Switzerland was not an eye opener, game against Korea proved it that Domeneche has total defensive vision as if they were taking it for granted that pre-quarter berth is assured from this group without even scoring a goal. When the whole world knows that Korea scored almost 90% of its goals in 2nd half, how can a team think they can win on a 1-0 lead, but Coach Domeneche did think as he took off Wiltord from attack and put in Ribery a midfielder in, when the strategy should have been to score more goals. Coach completed the drudgery by putting on Trezeguet for final 2 minutes as if Henry who could not score for so long would help Trezeguet in these 2 minutes. Thanks to Barthez's lazy thighs who stuck and Koreans aimed at those only and not the goals. It was a shameful performance if looked closely, as French seemed to be playing against a powerhouse and instead of themselves putting on the opponents.

Second in line of fire should be Roger Lemerre. Tunisians however proud of their Coach, should realise quickly that reason they are not in second round is majorly due to the French approach. They were worse than Domeneche's, as they lost their leads twice, thanks to Zaidi they at least drew with Saudi Arab, otherwise it would have been 2 loses in 2 matches. Again here Lemerre did not learn from his previous stint with French squad in last world cup and thought that a 1-0 lead is enough against Saudi Arabia. If that was not enough, he thought same against the Spanish Armada. How on earth was he thinking that their defense can withstand against all attacking Spain attack force who had blasted the Ukrainian defense to pieces in last match. Instead of playing the ball in Spanish half, he made sure that Spanish were attacking with full force. How come Tunisians give such big space to Cesc Fabregas. With due respect to forthcoming greatness of Fabregas, he was given too much room to roam around and do anything with the ball. Lemerre might not be talking to Fabregas' Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger but must have watched this youngster and should have stopped this on song. Alas, he simply waited for things to happen.

Third, Henry Michel, though undoubtedly would go as most successful French Coach unless Domeneche or Lemerre can inspire their squads to go much ahead in the run, which is very doubtful. Michel was in-charge of Ivory Coast who were regarded as Dark Horses of the tournament but were dealt well by Argentina nad Holland and thrown out of the tournament fighting. Now Michel had one of the best African team ever to be competing in World Cup. The match statistics of all the matches of this team show how much attacking this team was than famous Argentinians or Dutch. The only problem was that Henry did not make sure his team plays a slight different game against Dutch having learnt from their close undeserving defeat at the hands of Argentina. Apparently Marco Van Basten made sure they learn the Ivory Coast Game plan but Henry Michel failed to make any change in his plan. Result was same, agonizing defeat. Why? Because Ivory Coast was not finishing. Argument might come that finishing can't be learnt in a day. But a slight change could be made in either closing on Dutch attack and scoring first, rather than always chasing the 2-0 deficit. So many missed chance speak of themselves. Thanks to a Serbian depleted defense ivory Coast got 2 penalties to score a win finally but Henry Michel should have made slight change which was not in showing even in last match.

There is severe need to bring back the renaissance that was put forth by Coach Aime Jacquet, as French are capable of much better showing than this display of Coaching.