ROUND OF 16 – MATCH 5
FRANCE VS NIGERIA
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Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Referee: Mark W Greiger (USA)
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OVERVIEW
The first of the European Giants vs African Hopefuls showdown. France have been one of the most attractive teams at this World Cup so far. With 8 goals in their opening 2 games, they have made their intentions clear. The loss of star man, Ribery hasn’t seemed to affect Les Bleus performances. Coach Didier Deschamps has worked wonders with a French team that has been in turmoil ever since the dark days of South Africa 2010. They will be confident of progressing to the Quarter Finals to set up that possible mouthwatering tie against Germany. Nigeria, on the other hand, are no pushovers. The African Champions are the continent’s biggest hope now and they are coming off impressive performances in the group stage. With Brazil and Netherlands already having struggled against smaller opponents, France cannot afford any complacency. Let us see where the game could be won and lost.
ROAD TO THE SECOND ROUND
France came into the tournament without their icon, Franck Ribery and with the immensely talented Samir Nasri also left out of the squad, few expected them to do well in South American conditions. But Didier Deschamps seems to have done a miracle with the team. Playing free flowing and fast football, the French have looked one of the most dangerous teams at this World Cup. They started off their campaign by brushing away Honduras 3-0, with star striker Karim Benzema scoring a brace and setting up the other own goal. Their best display came in the next match against Switzerland, when they went riot, scoring 5 goals in under 75 minutes. Although they conceded two in the end, it was still a performance which made other teams take notice. Already qualified, they were held to a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
Nigeria started off with a unconvincing display against Iran where they were held to a boring 0-0 draw. Their attack came under a lot of scrutiny. But they managed to silence all their critics when they managed to beat Bosnia 1-0 in the next game. Their defence earned a lot of praise for keeping out the deadly attack that Bosnia possessed from scoring. In their last and final game against heavyweights Argentina, they went behind twice early on, but came back to equalise both times. But, although the Argentines got another later on, to win the match 3-2, Nigeria had proved that nobody could have an easy win against them.
FRANCE – TACTICAL PREVIEW
Formation – 4-1-4-1
Expected Line-Up : Lloris (c) ; Debuchy-Varane-Koscielny-Evra ; Cabaye ; Griezmann-Matuidi-Pogba-Valbuena ; Benzema ;
Alternate – Sissoko could retain his position instead of Pogba and Giroud may start up front at the cost of Griezmann, with Benzema shifting out left.
The big news for France is that Yohan Cabaye is back from suspension. He has played a key role in this free flowing French team, sitting right in front of the defence and distributing the ball well to the brilliant midfield duo of Matuidi and Pogba. Matuidi has been the engine of this side, with his precision passing and dangerous runs into the box. Pogba has been hailed as one of the brightest young stars in the world today and will hope to live up to that tag. The little live-wire Valbuena has been a deadly weapon in this French side. He plays predominantly on the right side, with his quick feet a menace for all defenders. On the left, youngster Antoine Griezmann has impressed. He has a good eye for goal and has proved to be a more than decent replacement for the injured Ribery. Another major feature of this French team is the way the full backs join in the attack. Evra and Debuchy will be constantly bombarding down the flanks, which will allow the quick feet of Valbuena and Griezmann to cut inide and cause menace. Upfront, their target man Benzema will play, who has been in deadly form. With 3 goals already and a couple of assists, he will be their main source of goals. They will need him to step up again if they are to reach that quarter finals.
STRENGTHS:
1. The Midfield Trio – Cabaye, Matuidi and Pogba are one of the best midfield trios in modern football. Mousa Sissoko will also have a part in this at some point of the game. The Nigerian midfield will find it very hard to get past these 3.
2. Lloris the keeper – Hugo Lloris, for me, is one of the best keepers today. Known for his bravery in coming out and gathering the ball, Lloris, who is also the captain of the side, will play a key role in keeping out the opposition.
WEAKNESS:
1. Overlapping Fullbacks – Although the fullbacks are very helpful in attack, they can result in a vulnerable defence. Fast wingers can exploit this aspect of the French team.
KEY MAN:
Blaise Matuidi for me, is their main man. One of the most underrated players in the world, he can link the attack and defence very effectively. Also, Karim Benzema is just so full of goals. He will be their main goal-scoring option.
Matuidi – The Soul of the French.
TACTICAL SET UP – NIGERIA
Formations : 4-3-3
Expected Line-Up : Enyeama; Amrose-Obabona-Omeruo-Oshaniwa ; Onazi-Azeez-Mikel ; Musa-Emenike-Odemwingie ;
Nigeria play a typical 4-3-3, with the front line consisting of impressive young winger Musa on the left and the experienced Odemwingie on the right supporting the front man Emenike up front. Victor Moses has struggled to find both fitness and form, so I expect him to find a place on the bench. The midfield will consist of Lazio youngster Onazi playing a holding role, with Mikel playing further forward. The midfield should be completed by Azeez who will fill in for the injured Babatunde. Unless veteran and former captain Yobo can convince the manager well, I expect the defence to consist of Chelsea loanee Omeruo and Obabona at center back positions, with Oshaniwa and Amrose providing the width. The goalkeeper, Enyeama is one of their biggest assets.
STRENGTHS:
1. Musa & Odemwingie : The two wingers will play a key role in troubling the French back line. Especially since the French full backs are known to go forward a lot.
2. John Obi Mikel : He plays as a defensive mid for Chelsea, but is deployed in a more attacking role for Nigeria. Having excelled there, this shows his versatility and will be a key factor in tackling the formidable French midfield.
WEAKNESS:
1. Inexperienced Defence : All their defenders are considerably young and inexperienced. Going up against the free scoring French side, the youngsters will be in for a big time maturity test.
KEY MAN:
Ahmed Musa will be their biggest attacking threat. As the Argentine defence found out, he is quite a handful.
Enyeama – A hard man to get past.
KEY PLAYER BATLES
Mathieu Debuchy vs Ahmed Musa
As I’ve already pointed out, French full-backs love to help out in attack and Debuchy is no different. He is found many a time in the opposition half. But this can also be a cause for their undoing, as Argentina’s Pablo Zabaleta found out the hard way. Ahmed Musa is a quick and tricky winger who can capitalise on defensive errors well. Debuchy will have to be careful not to go out of position much. This should be a very interesting battle to watch.
Musa – Tricky Customer.
John Obi Mikel vs Yohan Cabaye
Both play as defensive midfielders for their clubs. But Mikel, in the advanced position for Nigeria, will be a tough cookie. Both being the strong and hard men they are, this should be a real rough battle.
Cabaye – Stronghold.
Mikel – The key man.
Karim Benzema vs Kenneth Omeruo
The 20-year old youngster will have the test of his life coming up against the deadly Benzema. He will look to show Chelsea of his capabilities. But his opponent Benzema, couldn’t be in better form. 3 goals already and assisting two others. This is excluding a penalty miss and a brilliant goal in the dying seconds against the Swiss which was disallowed harshly by the ref blowing the whistle just before. He is in prime condition and will terrorise the Nigerian back four all night.
Benzema – In red hot form.
VERDICT AND PREDICTION
On paper, this should be a comfortable win for the French. But, if games were won on paper, then why even play? If Benzema can click, France should win. But, if Musa and Odemwingie find space out on the wing, it can turn into a whole different story.
I predict a 2-1 win for the French with Valbuena and Benzema scoring for the French and Odemwingie for the Africans.
Deschamps – Weaving his magic.
Keshi – Scheming for an upset.
From The Penalty Spot 