David Trezeguet will not take part in the 2008 European Championships.
The same David Trezeguet who scored a golden goal in the 2000 European Championship? The same David Trezeguet from the 1998 World Cup championship team?
Yes, that David Trezeguet.
It's no secret that Trezeguet and coach Raymond Domenech aren't the best of pals, but it's borderline irresponsible for Domenech to keep leaving France's third all-time scorer off of his roster. He's only had five caps since the 2006 World Cup.
It would be understandable, or at least arguable, if Trezeguet's form has been lacking. However, 20 goals in 34 appearances in Serie A is not lacking form.
I understand that given Karim Benzema's incredible success this year in Ligue 1, it would be impossible to leave him out. But to replace Trezeguet with Bafetimbi Gomis? Taking nothing away from the St. Etienne forward, but he doesn't have a single cap to his name! Trezeguet has 70, and 34 goals as well.
I just don't understand why a coach would diminish his team over a personal dislike of a player. Maybe there's something more to their relationship that I don't know.
But it's just foolish to kick a proven winner off a roster in favor of a rookie with no goals or experience. Especially when it's the first major tournament you've been in since the crushing defeat at the 2006 World Cup.
I wish France the best of luck in Euro 2008; but if they get knocked out because of a lack of depth in the attacking third, then it may be the end of the line for M. Domenech.
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4 months ago
Lack of depth in the attacking third? Henry, Anelka, Benzema, Cisse, Ribery, Govou, Malouda, Ben Arfa, all of whom would fit better into the France style of play.
from 4 months ago
These are all great players. However, only Henry and Anelka have the experience needed to keep composure on such a large stage. And I've always put Trezeguet nearly level Henry in terms of athleticism and finishing abilities. I also should have been clearer, I meant that France has too few true strikers. Attacking midfielders and wingers are nice, and can make a team great. But a great striker makes them even more dangerous.
I just believe that Trezeguet's talent and experience would make France a more dangerous team come June 7.
from 4 months ago
I agree, apart from Luca Toni and Van Nisterlooy, trezeguet IS the best finisher in the world hands down. Henry is a better player over all indeed but he doesnt have the nose in the goal that trezeguet has, he can punish a defence given half a chance. HOWEVER, i dont entirely disagree with Domenech. Trezeguet really does struggle in Domenech's system. His system constantly requires mobility of striker, interchangeable positions, dropping back, moving forward with pace and numbers. Trezeguet is a dream striker for italy, with current france system, NO. To domenech's credit he has given him chances against, argentina, two games against scotland, against england; maybe should have given more but he was annonymous. The rest of the team didnt know how to play ball to him. He also doesnt do well with Anelka, but does VERY well with Henry. Henry provided him the width with his pace down left flank which spread defenders and gave trezeguet that extra yard to score. Zidane crossed more to trezeguet then Henry and i would imagine benzema to be a great partner for trezeguet. Even with all the factors in system and all, Domenech should have picked him; but then trezeguet himself said a few days ago that he doesnt wanna be a fringe player like in world cup and only wants to play if given a firm role in the team, so maybe thats why domench may have talked to him and saved false hopes for him. In a way domenech has done him a favor.
4 months ago
Ryan, well said mate. I was shocked when i heard Trezeguet was left out in the cold AGAIN. Although i dont rate him anywhere as high as Henry, he is still very much a world class striker. He has this rare abillity of making poor crosses look great when he somehow gets his head to 'em and turns 'em in...
Cisse, Govou, Ben Arfa, Anelka and Benzema are NOT of the same quality as Trezeguet....
4 months ago
Clichy missed out too..........spare a thought for him..
4 months ago
It's all about what else you add to the team. Trezeguet is rather limited player who scores goals. Many coaches just don't fancy poachers anymore.
4 months ago
I've had a dislike for Domenech's tactics since he selected Barthez in favor of Coupet at the World Cup. Buffon v. Barthez in the final was a colossal mismatch and likely cost them the final. I personally think France has been successful due to the prodigious amount of talent it possesses and Les Bleus win in spite of Domenech. They have the talent to win Euro '08 and he should be fired if they don't.
from 4 months ago
Ok, I wasn't a fan of the Barthez choice at first either, but you really can't argue against the man's results during the tournament. He conceded two goals before the final, only bested by Buffon. In the end, he gave up a total of three in the whole tournament. Coupet might have risen to the occasion, but Barthez was the safe pick and he delivered a runners-up spot. Colossal mismatch? In your dreams...
from 4 months ago
The goals allowed had a lot more to do with France's formidable defense in front of Barthez, and the way Zidane controlled possession during all the games. He only had to make one save against Brazil. Coupet was the in-form keeper, and had started a majority of the World Cup qualifiers, and should have been picked. Did you really think France had a chance to win with Barthez v. Buffon in a penalty shootout for the World Cup? It wasn't going to happen, even if Trezeguet had made that penalty.
from 4 months ago
Ummm... i agree with Matt...and Majesh too, it was about experience and barthez, though clumsy at times, has plenty of big game experience. Both Buffon and Barthez were clueless in the penalty box , infact trez beat buffon only to hit the post and defenders like signol and abidal converted with much ease against buffon as far as i remember. Infact buffon is an amazing keeper but still not known as penalty stopper... Ricardo of portugal, pepe of liverpool etc are specialist penalty stoppers. While we're at it, Coupet is a specialist penalty stopper, but then bartez didnt do bad at all over all in the keeper dispite yes, a rock solid defence, but then coupet would have had that too.
4 months ago
Wow, you're so wrong. One, Trezeguet just doesn't fit in the system. All he can do is stand in front of goal and hopefully catch a rebound or a nice corner. He's getting older and slower, so why not bring in the youth, especially when you have some of the world's best in Ribery, Henry, and Malouda. France is definitely a top-3 side is Europe right now, the only teams that could be better are Germany and on paper Spain. One could argue Italy, but aside from Luca Toni and Gigi Buffon, I feel the Italians are lacking a bit in comparison to the French.
from 4 months ago
ok, henry isnt youth, but still one of the world's best. i knew what i meant to say, it just didnt come out.
4 months ago
Bafetimbi Gomis scores 2 on his debut. I think this time Domenech may have found a suitable front man for les bleu...
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