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Sebastien Squillaci Tipped To Replace Philippe Mexes In French Defence
French national team coach Raymond Domenech appears poised to axe the Roma defender in favour of Sevilla’s centre-back.
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £26.25 | Draw £32.00 | Sevilla £26.25 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £27.00 | Draw £31.00 | Sevilla £27.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £26.25 | Draw £32.50 | Sevilla £26.25 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £27.50 | Draw £32.00 | Sevilla £26.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £26.50 | Draw £32.00 | Sevilla £24.50 |
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Mar 27, 2009 4:52:04 PM
Although Raymond Domenech, head coach of the French national team, had been widely tipped to base his selection for Saturday’s World Cup qualifying game on the squad that lost 2-0 to Argentina in February, it appears he will tinker somewhat with the defence. Indeed, it is strongly speculated in the French media that Roma’s Philippe Mexes will be dropped to allow Sebastien Squillaci of Sevilla to start.
The heart of les Bleus’ rearguard has looked pretty feeble for some time, with cracks being brutally exposed in the Mexes – William Gallas partnership by Austria in a previous qualifying encounter. France lost that fixture 3-1, a match that has thus far set the tone for a difficult campaign.
On Saturday les Bleus face Lithuania and it appears that Squillaci, a former Olympique Lyonnais centre-back, will replace his Roman counterpart. Clues were given at yesterday’s training session as Gallas and Squillaci lined up alongside Patrice Evra and Bakary Sagna – the two anticipated full-backs – in a practice match.
Mexes, who played alongside Lille’s Adil Rami in the training session, was keen to support his coach’s decision. “Everyone wants to do his bit, but it’s not important who starts or who does not start,” the 26-year-old declared. “Whether it’s me, ‘Toto’ [Squillaci] or Adil, we are all ready to play.
“If I am still [in the squad], it is because the staff still have confidence in me.”
France need to beat Lithuania on Saturday and then dispose of the same opposition again on April 1 if they are to have a realistic chance of winning UEFA qualifying Group 7 and automatically reaching the World Cup without having the trauma of a playoff encounter. Domenech’s young squad is hampered by offensive injuries and will not relish the trip to Kaunas.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
The heart of les Bleus’ rearguard has looked pretty feeble for some time, with cracks being brutally exposed in the Mexes – William Gallas partnership by Austria in a previous qualifying encounter. France lost that fixture 3-1, a match that has thus far set the tone for a difficult campaign.
On Saturday les Bleus face Lithuania and it appears that Squillaci, a former Olympique Lyonnais centre-back, will replace his Roman counterpart. Clues were given at yesterday’s training session as Gallas and Squillaci lined up alongside Patrice Evra and Bakary Sagna – the two anticipated full-backs – in a practice match.
Mexes, who played alongside Lille’s Adil Rami in the training session, was keen to support his coach’s decision. “Everyone wants to do his bit, but it’s not important who starts or who does not start,” the 26-year-old declared. “Whether it’s me, ‘Toto’ [Squillaci] or Adil, we are all ready to play.
“If I am still [in the squad], it is because the staff still have confidence in me.”
France need to beat Lithuania on Saturday and then dispose of the same opposition again on April 1 if they are to have a realistic chance of winning UEFA qualifying Group 7 and automatically reaching the World Cup without having the trauma of a playoff encounter. Domenech’s young squad is hampered by offensive injuries and will not relish the trip to Kaunas.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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