France at the World Cup: Why Les Bleus Will Shock the World in South Africa

The French National Football team have had a difficult two years, at Euro 2008, they failed to win a game and went home earlier than expected.

Their World Cup Qualifying campaign did not go so smoothly either. A last gasp William Gallas goal, aided by Thierry Henry’s infamous double hand ball, helped them to qualify to the Finals. However a new controversy of past has arisen—Raymond Domenech’s style of choice.

He is not new to the word controversy. He has had difficult relationships with past players such as Pires, and due to his choices made at Euro 2008, he did not gain any popularity among the French. He is a firm believer in Astrology (which led him to take Pires out his squad) and his worrying statements about Leos and Scorpios have led many to believe he is just one simply crazy man.

However, let’s not forget where France got to prior to 2008, reaching the final of the World Cup and losing on penalties, circumstances which could have easily gone in their favor. Yes, many choose to hand that achievement to Zinedine Zidane, a magician among many, who led the team through the ranks. However, one man does not lead you to the final of the World Cup, even if that man is Zidane.

I recently found a pattern in the French team which could be significant in finding out how well they do in the World Cup. Every time people don’t expect them to do well, they go above expectations. And when people expect them to do well, they flop; big-time.

That’s how simple it is. As millions across the world are going to the extent of cursing them for failure, France will do what their best at, and fight against all odds.

In the 1998 World cup, the people in France gave them no hope, as Aime Jacquet’s tactics were not as expected. However, France came out with a 3-0 victory against Brazil in the final. The following two years they won the Euros and Confederations cup.  

This was France at best. With everyone expecting them to keep ruling the football world the following year, they failed to score a goal in the World cup, one of the greatest shocks in history. A defeat in the quarterfinals to Greece in Euro 2004 failed them to keep the threat they once possessed.

This World Cup around, it’s the decision of the squad Domenech has chosen to represent in South Africa which has caused controversy. Leaving the likes of Vieira, Nasri, and Benzema home was a risky decision and maybe one to even regret.

Viera and Nasri have been influential for their clubs this season and no one seems to know why Nasri has not been chosen. Nasri has been a leader for Arsenal in the last few weeks of the season when Fabregas was injured.

Vieira has played more than he expected at Man city, but that too an answer to why he was not chosen from the coach needs to be heard. The choice to leave behind Benzema can be understood. Mostly starting on the bench for Madrid has left him lacking fitness.

What we cannot do is be too quick to judge. In 1994, a young squad picked for the World Cup included some of the rising stars, and France has now to start somewhere again. New players like Gourcuff and Gignac can be influential to the squad. More experienced players like Ribery, Henry, Gallas, and Evra can lead this team a long way. 

The mix of young and experienced can work dynamite if chosen right and I think this team has what it takes to fight the odds and go through well in the World Cup. People fail to remember that with a strong team, France had to struggle to qualify, which is what must have changed the mind of Raymond Domenech.

I personally believe that every team has to go through a session of rebuilding and allow the time for players to grow. For France, I believe that came in times of struggle to qualify and that they are ready to once again show the world why they were once called the “Brazilians of Europe.” Zidane was the leader of the last generation. The only question is, who will take the lead this time?