Raymond Domenech was under intense pressure, having played tactics and personnel that have made his side take only a point in their opening two games. The Frenchman, prone to astrological factors in his decision-making, a point highlighted by the media only recently whereas as we Arsenal fans, realised his flaws when Robert Pires was dropped after Euro 2004. A changed side was put out, with Thuram, apparently not playing due a poor mental state to play, with Abidal playing in central defence with Gallas. Clerc and Evra were the full-backs as Sagnol made a similar claim. Donadoni, under the threat of being sacked if he doesn’t reach at least the semi-finals due to a clause in his new contract, brought in the wonderfully talented but hugely temperamental Cassano, now of Sampdoria.
The two World Cup finalists of two years previous now met in a match with their fates in the hands of Romania, who played a Dutch side making nine changes. When the replacements include Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar and Afellay, who Arsenal reportedly had a bid of £10 million rejected, they could hardly be accused of playing a weakened team. In Zurich, Abidal, a questionable choice at centre-back, let in Toni, who broke free but appeared to shoot early when time was on his side, as the ball was fired past Coupet’s right hand post. Franck Ribery appeared to injury himself in the aftermath of a collision with Zambrotta, and the Bayern’s wing wizard was in considerable pain as he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher. Arsenal target Samir Nasri replaced his former Marseille teammate.
Pirlo’s corner was headed goalwards by Panucci, whose effort was blocked by a combination of Coupet and Makelele on the post as Italy pressed sensing an advantage with Ribery’s injury affecting the French, while the weakness in their defence also aided Italy. Evra was booked for a poor challenge, while Toni had another effort from the resulting free-kick taken by Pirlo. At the other end Govou broke with space on the right flank, but ignored the supporting run from Clerc and dragged his shot well wide. Pirlo played a one-two with Toni and chipped in a wonderful pass to Perrotta, who failed to control as he was through on goal.
Toni controlled a long ball beautifully with an outstretched leg, but the bumbling Abidal denied him a clear goal scoring opportunity, with referee Michel did not hesitate to send off the Barcelona full-back, as France’s night went from bad to worse. Pirlo fired home the spot-kick into the top corner to send the Italians into the lead. Nasri was taken off after only 16 minutes to allow Boumsong replace Abidal in the defence. One would question Domenech’s faith in Boumsong, as he preferred to start a full-back in his place. The former Newcastle man is famous for his participation on Newcastle’s comedy defence, with English fans assuming that the result for Italy was looking more likely. Arsenal fans must have been disappointed by the French coach’s decision to take off Nasri, who rarely had the ball, with only one run lacking penetration made, with two fouls made to break up Italian dominance.
De Rossi fired over as the Italians used patient build-up play to move the French players around and tire them as quickly as possible. Then a back-heeled flick from Toni went agonizingly past the post after a deep cross from the right flank. This was one of five chances the 38 goal Bayern man had in a few minutes. Henry was then played in by Toulalan’s finely weighted ball but he fired wide in a great chance to level.
In Berne, Mutu teased his man and crossed from the left flank for Niculae to control and volley wide. Arsenal’s Van Persie headed high and wide from an Englelaar ball, which he struggled to direct. Soon after a throw-in reached Mutu and turned his marker to create half a yard of space to cross but it narrowly evaded his target. Soon after, Van Persie ran to the left to meet another Engelar ball but couldn’t direct his header back at goal as it once more went wide. Huntelaar headed over, while Robben was played in soon after by Huntelaar’s deft touch but touched it wide when one on one with Lobont as the Dutch threatened to take the lead. But Romania, having heard of Italy’s goal, were forced to take the initiative as Mutu hit a rising shot from the edge of the area but it whirred wide. Then Rat bombed down the right flank and pulled back for Codrea but he blazes over in a fine chance.
Benzema hit a free kick against the wall, while his second attempt was volleyed over.
De Rossi fine run forward and turned Toulalan brilliantly but was fouled on the edge of the box. Grosso, who scored the winner against Germany in the 2006 semi-final hit the base of the post with a bending effort with a touch from Coupet preventing the Italians doubling their lead. The second half began with the Italians playing deep and on the counter-attack in a typical defensive manner as they looked to hold their lead. Henry had two efforts on goal which Buffon grabbed with ease. Toulalan, dubbed the ‘white Makelele’ in some quarters, was dictating the French play impressively as both sides were given fresh incentive with news filtering through into the stadium that Huntlelaar had scored in Berne from an Afellay cross stepped over by Engelaar, who deceived two Romanian defenders with his decoy run. Previous to this Van Persie latched onto a long ball, turned and shot, but Lobont was equal to it, with a fine reaction save.
Coupet rushed out to deny Toni but the Italians doubled their lead after Cassano was fouled. De Rossi took the free-kick and the net rippled following a wicked deflection of the outstretched leg of Thierry Henry, which fooled Coupet who had already dived to his right. The goal was marked down as an own goal for the Barcelona striker with De Rossi’s original effort looking to end up closer to the corner flag than the net. With the game practically won, the Italians resorted to delaying the game with a small foul on Cassano causing the former Bari man to collapse dramatically and needing treatment on the pitch as the French players waited to try an unlikely fight back. Buffon made a wonderful save from a curling effort by Benzema. Arsenal captain William Gallas appeared to hurt his back after a collision, but the tough defender dared not go off and reduce his side to nine men as Anelka came on as a third and final substitute.
It seemed the end of an era for France after a particularly cruel end, with Vieira, outstanding in the closing stages of Inter’s third Scudetto triumph, despite what Mark Lawrensen may think was a huge loss, while the mental state of Thuram and Sagnol the age of the defence and injury to Ribery, poor tactics all contributed to the fall of this onc great side. But the future is bright, with youngsters such as Benzema (who made a fine run in the last action of the game), Nasri and Ben Arfa, who failed to make the final cut, all three won a U17 youth tournament together for France. 2010 is the objective for France, with or without Domenech, probably and hopefully without. Deschamps may be the man to take the Blues forward in a qualification group containing Romania.
Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie scored in clinical fashion and reminded fans of his vast potential when match-fit after he collected a pass from the right and lashing into the net at the near post with a bullet of a shot. Like Croatia, Van Basten’s side showed a winning pattern despite wholesale changes in personnel, and face one of Sweden or Russia on Sunday. Romania, despite a spirited effort in drawing with France and Italy will no doubt look towards Mutu’s missed penalty as the predominant factor concerning their elimination. The playmaker was no doubt their best player but it was his action that made the difference for the worse unfortunately for the Fiorentina man.
A mouth-watering match ha now been set up between Spain and Italy in the pick of the round. A wonderful tournament with such entertainment continues with pure footballing sides all progressing so far as it threatens to surpass Euro 2000, the last great tournament of recent times.
France 0 – 2 Italy FT
Holland 2 – 0 Romania FT
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