L’Equipe has reported a “possible lineup” that Raymond Domenech will have against Ireland at Stade de France on Wednesday. Here is what they see as the possible lineup.
Lloris
Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra
A. Diarra, L. Diarra
Anelka, Gourcuff, Henry
Gignac
The only change is injured Eric Abidal being replaced by Julien Escude. Otherwise, there is no change in the line up. L’Equipe is even questioning the choice of the team, calling their article A Stable Team?
If I continue to write about this line up, I am afraid that it would not be suitable for our younger readers. I will just bite my lip and let it bleed profusely! If I pass out, don’t call the doctors. It might be best that I don’t see this game.
Hopefully, this will not be the line up. We should know in a few hours time.
Ligue 1 Talk 
Hi Dave,
I know it won’t comfort you, but you are certainly not alone in resorting to self-inflicted wounds to deal with the decisions of the car-wreck known as Domenech.
I’m interested to know what your squad would look like for this pivotal second leg. Given that the emphasis will not be on the attack, as with the first leg, the popular critique of the omission of Govou and/or Benzema to give France more width up front is not as applicable here.
What do you consider the best formation and squad to thwart Trapattoni’s devices?
And one other thing, what do you make of the effect (if any) of Diarra’s “disrespectful” comments? If France scores an early goal I fear it could get ugly.
Ahhhh!!!! I have been looking on the L’Equipe site for the line up…Escude would be TERRIBLE!!!!! Squillaci should be shouldering Gallas. Ugh why?
I don’t mind Escude in the line up. But how the hell do you keep Sidney Govou out and have Gignac all alone up front.
They have to go for the throat, and this isn’t doing it!
Like I said though, this is just what they report, it isn’t final. But their last report was spot on.
So, Andrew, my ideal squad? Well, here we go:
Lloris
Sagna – Squillaci – Escude – Evra
L. Diarra – P. Vieira (if game ready, if not M. Sissoko)
Govou – B. Cheyrou
Gignac – Henry
Yeah, not what many people expected 🙂
I think that Vieira gives France the on-field leadership they need. I also think Cheyrou is as good of a winger on the left as Govou is on the right.
Also, as far as what Diarra said, I think it might be classic. I think Ireland is now pre-occupied with Diarra and might key on trying to ‘get back at him’ instead of playing the game. He got in their heads, and that might be a good thing.
Kind of like what happened with Zizou and Marco Materazzi. While I am upset at what happened, it was a masterful move by Materazzi, which basically cost France the World Cup.
Should there be better sportsmanship? Yes. Will it happen. Never. So you just have to go with the flow. I think an occasional “you suck” doesn’t hurt anyone, but racial and national orgin remarks should stay out, and that is, I guess, what Diarra said. It is just so damn hard to police that action on the field.
But now the attention of Keane and his group seems to be more toward Diarra instead of defeating France. So, it might have worked perfectly.
I agree, Dave, with going with Vieira. Too bad Domenech was too short-sighted to omit him from the squad. Really one of the more troubling decisions, because Vieira–like you said–has the leadership that is needed. How can the coach so blatantly overlook that?!
Govou and Cheyrou is an interesting pairing, which would not be what Ireland is expecting–which could be a huge bonus. I don’t see Domenech leaving out Anelka, which is again too bad. Gourcuff is another problem all together–Domenech appears to be the only one not realizing Gourcuff has yet to be effective as he needs to be for the national team.
If he leaves Gignac all by himself up top, France’s only chance will be a 0-0 draw. Again, will Domenech please be reasonable?!
Pulling hair, holding my breath.
Cheers Dave!