France beat Serbia 2-0 in their Euro 2012 warm-up game lat night, at the Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims.
A pensive French manager Laurent Blanc last night
And Yohan Cabaye played the whole game France in midfield to pick up his 12th cap, while Ben Arfa saw some action late in the game, when he replaced Malouda after 75 minutes for his 10th cap for France.
With the win France stretched their unbeaten run to 20 matches, but midfielder Yann Mvila suffered an ankle injury after only five minutes, and he now must be at least a little doubtful for the game against England on June 11th, in the Euro 2012 Championships.
An emotional Mvila broke down in tears when he was replaced so early in the game, after twisting his right ankle, and it could be bad news for France.
However, Laurent Blanc seems to think the defensive midfield player will be ready to face England in the opening match of Group D match in Donetsk, Ukraine a week on Monday.
“We can think that he will be fit for the first game. His participation in the tournament is not in question,”
“In the first half we did a lot of nice things offensively, that was positive,” “The players were in better shape than against Iceland in the 3-2 win on Sunday.”
“We were better physically but we are not ready yet, we suffered in the last 15 minutes.”
The French doctor Fabrice Bryand had good news in that it was an ankle sprain, and the ankle is not broken:
“The ankle is not broken. It’s reassuring. We, however, need 48 hours more to say if he will recover in time for the Euro.”
France went ahead early against Serbia, Bayern Munich’s Ribery scored after only 12 minutes, and just four minutes later Chelsea forward Malouda hit home a great goal from all of 30 yards out, to make it 2-0.
Les Bleus now face Estonia in a friendly in Le Mans on Tuesday night, in their build-up for the England game.
We expect Newcastle’s Ben Arfa to get a start in that game.
Here’s video of the game last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLH3MUTqCPY
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
JMag
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Comment #11st. Yeah Boi!!!!!!!!!!
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Comment #2damn malouda
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Comment #3no boi grow up
Indian Magpie
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Comment #4I will be cooking prwans today, so if any 1 has a good recipe. let me know ?
ilovetoon8788
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #5official word from Mbiwa agent. Gutted.
Newcastle were reported to be leading the chase for the highly-rated 23-year-old but he has now admitted that Yanga-Mbiwa is unlikely to head to the Premier League.
“We haven’t talked to Newcastle,” his agent Tim Hagar told The Journal.
“It is not true that there has been an approach and he won’t go to Newcastle. I don’t know where he will be going but we have interested clubs in Germany.
“I think he will go to Germany – I don’t know why Newcastle haven’t followed up their interest.”
————
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #6bbq them mate
ilovetoon8788
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #7from the previous thread, i don’t think Mbiwa transfer is smoke and mirrors. I think its more because they have upped the asking price or the agent is just being greedy. but he’s a quality ball playing centre half.
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Comment #8anyone rekon dos santos is worth a pop? on the cheap ofcourse
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Comment #9From Last Post:
Only if Ba leaves do we need to sign Luuk de Jong. That’s a big ONLY. If Ba stays or not (i hope and think he may) then we should sign for sure Hoilett and Hueng Min Son but only de Jong if Ba leaves!
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Comment #10ilovetoon@
agreed but i dont think he has the aerial ability were looking for. can play almost anywhere tho
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Comment #11jakesome
No sorry mate he’s overrated and probably wants to go back to Spain so he can get back to a decent playing ability.
If the Afellay rumours are true (quite doubtful) then i’d take him for £5M as he’s a top player well worth the money.
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #12we will never get CL football until we start converting corners to goals ( also please dont go mad people but cabaye’s corners are usually w*nk, anyone agree)
Paps
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #13Anyone notice cabaye sitting next to debuchy on the bench on skysportsnews.
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Comment #14ive only watched dos santos for mexico and hes looked the part every time. is quite small tho but pards could get the best out of him
ilovetoon8788
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Comment #15jakesome // Jun 1, 2012 at 10:37 AM
—
I think he can play alongside Saylor very well. And he adds depth into our defence. not just any depth but strength in depth. Imagine Mbiwa, Alderwireld, Saylor, Colo. if 1 is injured we don’t have to worry too much.
Indian Magpie
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Comment #16I hope our first match of the season is against Liverpool
jesperfuglsang
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Comment #17Rumor has it, that those 11 who started against Serbia will be Blanc’ first choice 11. Any truth in that you think?
Had hoped that HBA could have pushed for a starting place; maybe it was to stretch it a bit 😉
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Comment #18jakesome & ilovetoon
Yeah it is dissapointing on Mbiwa but what do you think about Cristian Zapata. A bit older than Mbiwa but he is more of an aerial presence and like Mbiwa he’s quick and can cover many defensive positions. He should be available for a good fee from relegated Villarreal; maybe get him for £4-5M
toonincheek
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #19Indian – why cook them?
Shell them, cut in half if they are large enough
and eat raw with a few drops of lime.
Plus salad to fill out the plate.
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #20again we need some height in our team and not just for hight sake like the link we had with n;zonzi. whats the crack with douglas?
TorqToon
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #21Ed, Cabaye didn’t play the whole game. Think he came off around 60mins after doing enough to let Blanc know he’s the man! When HBA came on he didn’t really have chance to get into the game. Ribery is a very good player but does tend to hold onto the ball too long at time and a couple of occasions could’ve set Hatem away. Paps I did notice that…and also HBA deep on conversation with Debuchy also. He is following me on twitter and I’m doing my best to tap him up! 🙂
As far as Demba Ba goes…I think we are all over speculating things with the fact that he WILL leave and WILL sign for spurs!! As has been said, that’s nothing more than more money and a sideways step.
TorqToon
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #22Supa – I’ve heard Zapata mentioned several times but don’t know much about him! Is he a good prospect and fit for the club?
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #23@supatoon
i know nothing about zapata other than i used to buy him on footy manager and he is 6″2+ based on that………….
ilovetoon8788
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #24@SupaToonKid // Jun 1, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Zapata is a good shout. in my FM he’s very good. but even if he’s just as good in real life i doubt we’re looking at him. Because i think our policy is aiming for more Dutch and French league players this summer.
Which is why i think Affelay rumors are rubbish. Most or all of our signings will come from these 2 leagues.
Indian Magpie
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #25toonincheek ,
They are deshelved, deveined. i think cooking will be better. cooking first time.
ROSHAN MAGPIE
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #26does any one knows when the premier league fixtures will be released
geordie157
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #27Was thinking earlier (yes on a Friday as well)
For a net spend of about 10mill. We could in theory sign this lot and boost the squad and depth, whilst addressing the centre back, rb/lb issues. I’ve added a keeper as well for if Forster leaves.
Guzan (free)
Clyne (2-3mill compo)
Douglas (3mill compo)
Butterfield (1mill compo)
Diame (free)
Barnetta (free)
Hoillet (3mill compo)
if the rumoured 20mill is true, add maguire to that to boost the cb cover, the coventry kid and Luuk De Jong.
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #28looks like no-one really knows about zapata well maybe carr
Indian Magpie
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #2916th June, Pl fixtures release
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #30jakesome
Yeah all our set pieces need working on; we should probably go after Rasmus Elm from AZ Alkmaar as that guy ain’t half bad at set pieces (He’s Amazing At Them)!
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #31supa
u agreeing that cabayes corners are weak?
have you seen the distance krul gets on his kicks?? if only he could direct it
jakesome
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #32yea i think tht elm is a prospect liverfool were tracking him aswell
ROSHAN MAGPIE
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Comment #33thanks for the info man
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Comment #34Zapata is a good player and i think he would suit us very well however like you said iloveToon it looks like we’re concentrating more on the French and Dutch leagues also the German i think as players from these leagues settle quicker usually than from the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Zapata is available for a lower fee with Villarreal’s relegation (there are several others there worth taking a look at). He was very good at Udinese. Solid, reliable, versatile defender who i think would add a lot to our defence in competition.
Owldman
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Comment #35Having watched France v Serbia last night it seemed to me that Nasri didnt want to pass the ball to Cabye,a few times Cabye moved into space but Nasri either chose to shooy or pass to Ribery.Martin looked the part & is a good passer.Might worth a look at some of the Serbian players who also looked quite comfortable on the ball good first touch.
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #36jakesome
I agree with you fully mate; Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Raylor can all deliver good corners and freekicks but are a bit inconsistant so somebody like Rasmus Elm would fit the bill to take these as he’s a true specialist and an overall good player.
SupaToonKid
Jun 1, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Comment #37I think realistically and to improve the squad i would sign the following (i keep having to change my list):
RB: Mathieu Debuchy: we all know why; outstanding full back who can defend and attack equally well + good understanding with Ben Arfa and Cabaye.
CB: Cristian Zapata: Cheaper alternative to the much talked about Mbiwa. At 6’2″ he can cause problems at both ends but unlike Douglas he can run faster than a snail (he could keep up with Long better than Collo could). He’s very versatile; can play across the whole backline.
CM: Rasmus Elm/Marvin Martin: Now both of these players are very good at what they do. Both are good at set pieces and both are good footballers. Elm is better at set pieces and Martin is possibley the overall better player however i think Elm is more realistic as i expect he’s cheaper, Martin wants to join a CL side also we desperately need a player like Elm who can deliver consistantly from set pieces.
2 Forwards: Junior Hoilett & Hueng-Min Son; both young with bags of potential, quick, can score from set pieces (Son especially he scored an absolute cracker for Hamburg this year), skillful, good at finishing also both can play out wide or as the CF. I’d probably use Son as the CF when Ba and Cisse were at ACON due to his height and maybe deploy Hoilett just behind him.
Net Spending: Debuchy: £6.5M, Zapata: £5M, Rasmus Elm: £6-7M, Hoilett: free (£3M compensation) and Son: £7M
Total: £28M
Of course Simpson and co will leave so we’ll probably only spend around £20M. If Ba does leave then any out of Luuk de Jong, Oliver Giroud or Bas Dost would be good replacements. Hopefully as well we can bring in the youngster Gael Bigrirama from Cov for £1M.
Colo-Sus
Jun 1, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Comment #38I love Toon
The reason is mate he is too expensive, and not the type of player we need.
Colo does what he does alot better, and still has two years plus in him.
We need a dominant big goal scoring defender, IE Douglas, who I still think we will get.
Mbiwa although a good player was never what we needed.
Colo-Sus
Jun 1, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Comment #39Supa Toon Kid
Wake up mate
Zapata and Martin WONT HAPPEN
god some of you need to wake up mind lol!
Colo-Sus
Jun 1, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Comment #40Oh and by the way do any of you believ that we have 20mil to spend…….have a word with yourselves lads