Forget Paris

May 30th, 2006 | by: John |

The Mexican national team has France in its rear view mirror, and is now on the outskirts of Amsterdam preparing for their next friendly. Up next, Marco van Basten’s powerful Dutch squad. With the possibility of these two teams meeting in the round of 16, just how much are both teams going to show, if anything.

We all took something different away from the match vs. France. But where most people seem to agree is that the offense sputtered to an unimpressive 3 shot total. Hopefully that number will be improved vs. Holland, as they should open the field up more than the French. Moreover, La Volpe practiced with Franco, Bravo, Fonseca, and Borgetti on the field yesterday. Does that mean anything? Probably not. La Volpe insists that these two friendlies don’t mean anything, and it is all leading up to the game vs. Iran and the 3 points it means if Mexico gets the victory. I absolutely agree. Let La Volpe use these games to see how the team reacts to formation changes now instead of June 11.

Notes on France:
Goalkeeping: Oswaldo made some key saves, and the one he let in was unstoppable

Defense: Mexico seems to have one bad play per game, this time it cost them as Osorio missed the clearance on the French goal. Suarez looks like he is good for a half and Rafa shined as a DM. Maza (yes, Maza!) made some great plays and threaded a great pass to Bravo at the end.

Carrileros: Pineda, Morales and Castro did not have their best game. Ramoncito was taken off the ball repeatedly, but had one excellent cross. Castro and Pineda were defined more by the plays they didn’t make.

Midfield: They had a hard time getting possession back in the first half, and a hard time completing plays in the 2nd.

Forwards: A forgettable performance. Borgetti was mostly absent, Franco was mostly on his backside from slipping repeatedly. Bravo did play well, but he misplayed 2 glorious chances.

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Comments

By HurrikaneDIABLO | May 30th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

Great analysis, John, I don’t think anyone could have said it better. I’m excited to see this next friendly even though it is only just that.

Posted from United States

By Rene C. (not the other "regular" Rene) | May 30th, 2006 at 2:33 pm

+1 on the great analysis. It seems that finishing is what separates Bravo from being a Good player and Great player.

Posted from United States

By alvarado | May 30th, 2006 at 2:42 pm

I watched the France game and Mexico looked good defending. They need to keep their concentration high to avoid that costly mistake that seems to always happen with them. From an attacking point of view I think they really are a different team up front without Fonseca. He works better with Borguetti than Franco as he has a real killer instinct for goal. I would really like to see those two up front with Omar Bravo just behind them. Kind of like the Gilardino-Toni-Totti trident. I think Bravo in that spot can cause alot of problems for defenses. His speed and vision will be better utilized for himself and the strikers just in front of him. This will help create some more offense as Bravo has played in midfield before. The current midlfield looks good from a holding and ball recovery point of view but the creativity is not there as we saw in the France game.

Posted from Canada

By REY | May 30th, 2006 at 8:19 pm

I watched the game, and throughout it I felt that something bad wa going to happen. THen it happened. The mistake by Osorio who had been plying very well until the missed ball that meant the goal for la France.

Posted from United States

By steve | May 30th, 2006 at 10:09 pm

i thought castro played a good game…am i crazy??

and it seemed everyone was continually slipping on the pitch…which seemed weird to me.

the offense was pretty nonexistent, but nonetheless, i thought mexico played a good game, but looked unsettled.

did any players trade jerseys with zidane? thats what i would wanna know.

Posted from United States

By Gus | May 31st, 2006 at 1:15 am

I posted this in the previous thread: Rafa Marquez ended up getting Zidane’s jersey. In an interview with Zidane after the match in the dressing rooms you could see how he takes it off and gives it to Rafa.

The thing on the media at the moment seems to be some interview with Lavolpe in which he speaks out against Kikin, Mejia Baron, Lapuente, and the U-17 team. To me it seems the media is making it bigger than it is, and the worst thing is that they’re actually pushing and taunting him to make these type of comments. This is really getting to my nerves, just let him do his job, and criticise him AFTER the World Cup…

Posted from Australia

By El Aclantista | May 31st, 2006 at 9:28 am

It seems that Lavople’s comments had stirred a lot of controversy in Mexico.From whay I’ve read from the Mexican media(then again they’re not that trustworthy)is that he lashed out against pretty much everybody.
I agree with you Gus Mexican media is very sensationalist and Lavolpe hasn’t been good with dealing with the I really don’t think is a big deal but the Mexican media seem to disagree.Let’s just hope the team stays focus for Iran’s game.
I know Borgetti is one of Lavolpe’s irreplecable starters but I like the Kikin-Guille combo upfront they played pretty well together and they’re faster than Borgetti.I also agree tht Marquez needs to go back to the defense,Torrado or Pardo can do real godd recovery job at midfield.
Vamos Mexico!

Posted from United States

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