France 1 England 0
Fabio Capello tested two formations against France but neither approach managed to prompt any attacking ideas from the England players. In the first-half England adopted a 4-2-3-1 approach and, despite conceding a penalty, perhaps shaded the first 45 minutes. They enjoyed significant periods of territorial advantage and retained possession well. The team performance was not imbued with a great deal of creativity but the players linked up well enough and a couple of half-chances were generated. Owen Hargreaves and Gareth Barry were situated at the base of midfield and provided a sound platform for the rest of the team. The full-backs Wes Brown and Ashley Cole were thus quite visible on the overlap. England easily measured up to France in the first-half but it was difficult to envisage from where a clear goalscoring chance would originate.
France also had very little cutting edge; however, they demonstrated that one breakthrough can be devastating with a forward such as Anelka in the frontline. Clerc slipped the attentions of the otherwise resilient Hargreaves and played through Anelka whose pace took him away from John Terry; Anelka was brought down by David James in the area and Ribery converted the spot-kick.
I would persist with 4-2-3-1 for future fixtures as it appeared a well organized unit. What is required is more impact from the advanced midfielders. Steven Gerrard exerted little influence and Joe Cole had one of his less impressive games. Beckham worked hard on the right and some of his distribution was excellent, but his limitations are well documented and he is unlikely to get past his marker. This does not mean that these players cannot be accommodated under this formation, but highlights that the advanced midfield line should be supplemented by a player (or players) with more pace or attacking verve. For example, Beckham had a good final season for Real Madrid under a Capello-organized 4-2-3-1, but he was accompanied in midfield by Raul and Robinho.
Wayne Rooney toiled upfront in this fixture but had little service. He plays the lone forward role well for Man Utd, who currently lead the English Premier League, so he is well equipped for this position. However, Man Utd have an abundance of goalscoring midfielders and England do not have someone with Cristiano Ronaldo’s attacking presence situated behind the forward. For England, Rooney should therefore drop back from the lone forward role into a deeper position with Crouch leading the line. Frank Lampard is a further contender to join the advanced midfield trio. David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon provide additional options if an injection of pace is required.
In the second-half England switched to 4-4-2 (4-1-3-2) with Hargreaves now behind Barry in central midfield, and Peter Crouch and Michael Owen paired up front. The format of the second-half did not deviate greatly from the first. France were in control of the game more in the second period though, and were happy to hold on to a lead which they never looked like relinquishing. Whilst Barry had a sound first-half, he perhaps does not have enough about his game to be an effective advanced midfielder in a 4-4-2 at international level. Of the substitutes, Stewart Downing had a few bright moments on the left of midfield and Joleon Lescott appeared composed in central defence. The new attack had very little impact with Owen particularly ineffectual. If two forwards are played together in forthcoming fixtures, a partnership should be developed between Rooney and Crouch. And as highlighted above, whilst there was not a substantial difference between the two halves, I believe England looked more organized under 4-2-3-1 and any deficiencies should be addressed with this as the on-pitch template for future games.
Despite the 1-0 defeat it must be remembered that this was an away fixture against one of the strongest international teams.
Edward @ March 26, 2008
