Friendly International: France – Costa Rica

Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2010 by Goal.com

Les Bleus’ first serious workout before the World Cup takes place on Wednesday against la Sele...

Kick Off: Wednesday, May 26, 2010. 21:00 CET
Stade Felix Bollaert, Lens

Building Up

It’s time for France to step-up their preparations for the World Cup, starting with a friendly at home against Costa Rica.

Raymond Domenech’s unit have only three encounters to hone their skills before meeting Uruguay in the opening match of the tournament, and this is the only game they’ll play on mainland French soil before departing for a staggered trip to South Africa.

Following a spell in the Alpine resort of Tignes, France next hop to Sousse in Tunisia, where they’ll be based from Thursday until Sunday in a trip that culminates with an encounter against the national team in Rades. From there, Reunion is the destination for a friendly against China, and then onto South Africa.

Les Bleus’ qualifying campaign was fraught with problems and a spring friendly against Spain did little to quell the anxieties of a nation desperate to see their side reach the pinnacle of the world game for just a second time. Outclassed by la Furia Roja in March, going down 2-0 at home, there is a great deal of work to be completed if France are to spring a surprise in the Rainbow Nation.

Domenech’s squad typically had sources of talking points, largely due to the omissions of Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri, and the enigmatic coach must rally a talented but disjointed side if major steps forward are to be made before the reins of the national team are passed on to Laurent Blanc at the culmination of the summer’s hostilities.

Long Term Thinking

Costa Rica, meanwhile, don’t have the luxury of the World Cup to look forward to, having been eliminated at the final hurdle. Having finished fourth in round 4 of CONCACAF qualifying, they progressed to a playoff against Uruguay, who are fittingly France’s first opponents in South Africa. A 1-0 loss at home proved telling, as a 1-1 second leg draw was ultimately not enough.

Honduras squeezed the Ticos out at the group stage, with both teams finishing on 16 points. Ultimately it was Costa Rica’s inability to pick up positive results away from home that cost them, with a 4-0 defeat against their nearest rivals arguably the decisive match in the qualifying campaign. Indeed, la Sele’s only victory on the road came via a 3-2 success against bottom team Trinidad and Tobago.

On a mini-tour of Europe that will encompass fixtures against World Cup participants France, Switzerland and Slovakia, Costa Rica must aim not only to bond their squad into a tighter unit, but also to find a way of improving their travelling form.

Head coach Ronald Gonzalez is only in the job on an interim basis, but it is important that positive building blocks for the future are laid, with the ultimate aim being to qualify for Brazil 2014. With their Under-20 side finishing fourth at the 2009 World Cup, there is room for optimism for the future.

FORM GUIDE

France

LOST 2-0 (h) Spain (Friendly, March 3)

DREW 1-1 aet (h) Republic of Ireland (World Cup playoff, November 18)

WON 1-0 (a) Republic of Ireland (World Cup playoff, November 14)

WON 3-1 (h) Austria (World Cup qualifying, October 14)

WON 5-0 (h) Faroe Islands (World Cup qualifying, October 10)

Costa Rica

LOST 3-2 (a) Argentina (Friendly, January 26)

DREW 1-1 (a) Uruguay (World Cup qualifying, November 18)

LOST 1-0 (h) Uruguay (World Cup qualifying, November 15)

DREW 2-2 (a) USA (World Cup qualifying, October 14)

WON 4-0 (h) Trinidad & Tobago (World Cup qualifying, October 10)

TEAM NEWS

France

Raymond Domenech has finalised his squad of 23 to travel to the World Cup, and it will be from that panel that he selects his side on Wednesday. Recent training sessions have seen France switch to a 4-3-3 formation, with the main surprise being the inclusion on Andre-Pierre Gignac in a wide attacking role.

William Gallas continues to toil with a calf injury and though he has been involved in the training exercises, it may be a little premature to risk him in a match situation. There are no other injury issues to report at present.

Probable Starting XI: Lloris; Sagna, Squillaci, Abidal, Evra; Gourcuff, Toulalan, Malouda; Gignac, Henry, Ribery

Costa Rica

Carlos Hernandez gave the coaching staff a worry when he felt some discomfort in his left leg, but the versatile Melbourne Victory midfielder, who is one of only five players in the squad to have won more than 30 caps, has been training fully and will be fit to take his place in the starting XI.

Probable Starting XI: Navas; Myrie, Sequeira, Segares, Diaz; Bolanos, Azofeifa, Barrantes, Hernandez; Ruiz, Parks

PLAYERS TO WATCH

France

It would seem possible that Nicolas Anelka will be axed from the starting XI in favour of Andre-Pierre Gignac, so the pressure will be on the Toulouse front man to produce a very solid performance. Goals haven’t been especially forthcoming domestically for the burly striker, and it would seem likely that he will play a supporting role for Thierry Henry on Wednesday. Such a position is alien to the former Lorient attacker, so he could be very hit-or-miss.

Costa Rica

Coming off the back of an impressive season with club side Twente, Bryan Ruiz has been named as the captain of his nation for this trip. The 24-year-old striker has registered nine international goals to date in 33 appearances and is one of the few players in the squad with experience of playing at the top level in Europe. If he gets a chance, he’ll have to take it.

PREDICTION

Les Bleus don’t tend to sparkle in friendlies, but the positive stance that Raymond Domenech has taken with his side in recent training sessions does offer some cause for encouragement. France will want to wave goodbye to their fans with a positive result and should come through this encounter against opposition who will be dangerous but ultimately manageable.

France 3-1 Costa Rica