SPEED of movement spelled out the margin of difference between France and England last night in Paris. While a penalty goal from Franck Ribery was all that separated the sides in a monochrome match, France relished the rainbow acceleration of Nic
olas Anelka against a diligent but largely pedestrian England outfit.
Fabio Capello, the England manager, wanted his team to play with the same freedom of expression which characterises their performances for their clubs. Unfortunately, in the first-half, he forgot to add the vital ingredient of pace to the mix and England huffed and puffed. Anelka's fleetness of foot, on the other hand, caught out John Terry after 31 minutes and earned his side a stonewall spot-kick when David James brought him down in the box.
For all that England played a busy 4-5-1 in the first-half and a busier 4-4-2 in the second, they had no one with Anelka's ability to inject electrifying pace into the game.
Of the plus points for Capello, Owen Hargreaves and Gareth Barry were both stalwart in holding roles. David Beckham also worked a diligent shift on the right flank. He grafted for over an hour and his use of the ball was tidy until David Bentley came on in the second half.
It was fitting Beckham began the match in Paris on the occasion of his 100th cap since the midfielder was the first English attacker since Sir Bobby Charlton to play for his country so often. All the other centurions – Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore and Billy Wright – earned their keep over the years at the back.
Capello began this game with Wayne Rooney as the lone striker and throughout the first half he made little impact on the game. He was supported by Steven Gerrard from central midfield with Beckham and Joe Cole providing width. Hargreaves and Barry were the anchor men in front of the centre-back partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Terry.
Capello is far from a sentimental man and Beckham's inclusion suggested the coach believes this iconic figure has a part to play in the World Cup campaign to come. Certainly, there's no lack of desire burning in Beckham's chest. When he gave the ball away early on, the midfielder chased back 40 yards and reclaimed possession with a shrewd interception. Eagerness was England's motto during the opening exchanges and Ashley's Cole's tempting cross into the six yard box was narrowly missed by Beckham.
Unlike England, who were pretty much at full strength, France had to dip into their pool of talent and restore David Trezeguet, the Kris Boyd of French football, up front. Alongside Anelka, Trezeguet had an opportunity to stake a claim for a place at this summer's finals of Euro 2008. But it was the Chelsea man who caught the eye.
If England were busy, France looked more composed and used the ball to greater effect. They impressed as the more settled side and created the first proper chance for Anelka. He headed wide from eight yards after Ribery had floated the free-kick into the box. In a separate incident, the Chelsea forward was also given time and room to turn and shoot from the 18-yard line.
It was Anelka's pace which undid the left side of England's defence when the ball was played in behind their back four. As the striker flicked the ball past James he couldn't stop himself from bringing down the Frenchman. Ribery took the spot kick and sent the Portsmouth keeper the wrong way.
Capello reacted to adversity by making a raft of changes at the start of the second-half. The coach sent on Peter Crouch and Michael Owen to play up front, Stewart Downing took up a spot on the left of midfield and Joleon Lescott came into the heart of the defence. Terry trooped off along with Rooney, Joe Cole and Gerrard. By reverting to 4-4-2, Capello hoped to give England more of a cutting edge. The contest became more open and Crouch headed over from Beckham's corner. He should have done better.
There were more substitutions for England when Bentley and Glen Johnson replaced Beckham and Wes Brown. The challenge facing the visitors, however, remained constant. How to find a way round or through the French.
France: Coupet, Abidal, Gallas, Makelele, Malouda, Toulalan, Clerc, Thuram, Trezeguet (Govou 64), Ribery, Anelka (Cisse 80). Subs not used: Landreau, Mexes, Squillaci, Alou Diarra, Flamini, Evra. Booked: Ribery.
England: James, Brown (Johnson 63), Ferdinand, Terry (Lescott 46), Ashley Cole, Beckham (Bentley 63), Hargreaves, Barry, Joe Cole (Downing 46), Gerrard (Crouch 46), Rooney (Owen 46). Subs not used: Robinson, Bridge, Walcott, Green. Booked: Beckham.
The full article contains 798 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
