World Cup: France vs Mexico Preview

TALENT

The highlighted match of the day is France taking on Mexico but most of the focus will be on France’s coach Raymond Domenech to see if he can earn a 2010 World Cup paycheck. France in their opening match against Uruguay looked unorganized, easily jaded, and of course the unusual call of sitting of Florent Malouda and Thierry Henry and playing instead Sidney Govou. Mexico however was involved in an emotional World Cup opener against the host country and South Africa that ended in a draw. Both France and Mexico currently sit 3 points behind Uruguay who picked up a win against South Africa yesterday.

Even with all the criticism of Domenech he still stands one win away from becoming France’s all-time winningest coach eclipsing Michel Hidalgo and his 41 victories. This matchup could rest on the footwork of midfielder Franck Ribery who will need to be on the attack from the start as Mexico has the tendency to let the opposition break them.

Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre could choose to throw his wingbacks forward to try and isolate Ribery. Gerardo Torrado has to do a better job of controlling the midfield unlike the performance their against South Africa. Torrado can break the match open with the right choices picking out Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela or Guillermo Franco.

Because both opening matches in group A finished in ties, this matchup can not send either side packing before the third round of games. France has a history of success on its side versus Mexico. Les Bleus are 5-0-1 against El Tri, though they haven’t met in the World Cup since 1966. Most recently, France won 1-0 in a 2006 home friendly.

PICK: Mexico