Comments on: David Trezeguet Says Something Stupid (Again)

By: Gautam Bhargav

Gautam Bhargav — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:58:00 +0000

What raymond domenech doesn’t realise is that Trezeguet is just one of four veterans left over from the 1998 World Cup winning squad, the other 3 being Vieira, Henry and Thuram. He has scored several vital goals in the past, especially the golden goal in the Euro 2000 final. His record for Juventus has been scintillating and 150 goals for Juve is no joke. He is also Serie A top scorer and his commitment has never been under question. Henry and Trezeguet are any day France’s best striking combination and Domenech must realise that Euro 2008 and the preceding qualifiers could be Trez’s last contribution to France. The guy’s 31 and isnt getting any younger. Trez is a great striker and Domenech is making a big mistake (Pires, Giuly, Micoud among others)and he shouldn’t give up Trezeguet.

By: Inara

Inara — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:39:25 +0000

I think you missed my point in calling Monaco lowly. Because surely scoring for Monaco isn’t the same as scoring for Juventus, Barcelona, and AC Milan?

Remember, I’m pro-L1 here.

By: Shazback

Shazback — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:29:23 +0000

Lowly Monaco?? They went 3rd-1st-3rd-4th-1st with him on the rooster… Monaco was a dangerous game for anybody between 95 and 2000. CL semi-finalists, good runs in the UEFA Cup, including one semi-final, they were a good club, well settled amongst the best french clubs. And when a player scored 61 goals in 84 games whilst playing with such a team, he’s worth of a call-up.

It was also before Trézéguet became an all-out striker, since he was part of great attack partnerships where he contributed a large number of assists : Trézéguet-Simone (43 goals in 34 games in 99-00), Trézéguet-Ikpeba (34 goals in 34 games in 97-98)…

By: Inara

Inara — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 13:51:15 +0000

Whether he is right or wrong – and I would like to point out that I think he’s a great striker – you don’t call out teammates, period. That’s how it should be (I don’t remember anyone doubting his place on the NT when he played with lowly Monaco).

His problem is with Domenech. We all know Domenech has a muddled sense of tactics, though of course, as coach, he’s going to pick whoever he thinks will work out best for the tactics – his hideous 4-4-2.

And who knows, maybe Domemech just doesn’t like Trezeguet. But that’s not the fault of the player who was selected to take his place.

By: Magnusson

Magnusson — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:31:49 +0000

I think Trezeguet is right. I think it is unfair to take shots at Benzema but look at it from his point of view. The guy was a world champion at 21. He’s a great striker and maybe the best we ever had. He’s been put aside because of some “system” that still needs to show us how it has worked. Thierry Henry is great but hasn’t been anything more than average for the past 2 years.
I mean you don’t stay in clubs like Juventus for 8 years when you’re not world class. I seriously think it doesn’t make sense to call Saha who only played twice this season when you have someone going crazy in Italy.
BUt maybe Trezeguet doesn’t get, as Evilo noted, that benzema is just in their class and that if he plays his cards right he may not get their palmares but could be a great player in the future.
And what’s with the lack of ambition? We call up nine midfielders and four strikers for a game against Lithuania? Nonsene.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, Aime jacquet winning the 98 WC with that horrible configuration of his was the worst thing to happen to french football.

By: Evilo

Evilo — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:35:42 +0000

Come on Inara, Trez is the third best scorer ever for the NT.
His performances weren’t very good? Well, he played like the rest of the team against Scotland and keep in mind he was on pace with Henry to shatter Platini’s record until Domenech came and either put him on the bench (WC 06) or not at all (the recent qualifiers).

Trezegol should be called every time because he scores in a big league more than some world class players (Ibra and co) and because he has scored so many goals for the NT.

Yes, he should be automatic, even before Benzema. I fully understand his frustration.
So he calls out the youngest, he probably doesn’t realize Benzema’s talents yet. It would be harder for him to call out Saha or Cissé, who really don’t deserve to be on the team, because he’s buddy with them.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:05:50 +0000

I’ll say Trez is right – his numbers are pretty good, even though his CV should be enough (well, minus Berlin) – but he certainly could’ve chosen his words more carefully. You don’t call out teammates. Or future teammates.

By: Inara

Inara — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 23:25:06 +0000

Well, the point of my post wasn’t so much about Domenech, as that’s Laurie’s area of expertise, but that Trezeguet’s comments weren’t classy, even if he is entitled to feel that way. He just as easily could have picked out Saha for criticism, since the guy spent most of the year injured and has scored only a goal or two since coming back.

Domenech isn’t just singling out Trezeguet, because he also dropped Cisse, who’s had way too many chances to prove himself. But it’s hard to dislodge players that have proved themselves over and over. While Domenech has dropped players from the squad (Giuly, Pires, etc), dropping Henry, Thuram, Vieira, and Makelele is something completely different, and something that could cost Domenech his job, should it not solve France’s immediate problems. And even this time, I don’t think Domenech is dropping Trezeguet permanently but that he wants to test out other combinations (Anelka-Benzema, Henry-Saha, Anelka-Saha, etc).

And anyway, yeah he might be scoring for Juventus at the moment, but he hasn’t been up to snuff with the NT and always seems to look terrible when he’s out there. We all know that Rayray will continue to build his team around defensive midfielders. That’s just the way he is. Trezeguet, who is without a doubt a very great talent, just doesn’t fit into his system. As to whether Domemench’s system is flawed, that’s a discussion that the France World Cup blog wonders about all the time.

By: Marco

Marco — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:21:57 +0000

Erm… Trezeguet’s reaction might have been over the top, but… are we really debating the validity of Domenech’s call-ups, let alone his tactical decisions during a match, or the press releases he does? Do I even need to remind you the genius “Italians are cheaters” accusations that got him banned from the game against Italy? Hasn’t anyone in France realized that with this guy at the helm Les Bleus are heading straight into a wall?

Nuff said.

By: Shazback

Shazback — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:08:58 +0000

Domenech is just… Weird. Henry hasn’t been any better for France over the last lot of games, but he wouldn’t dare to not pick him. Up front France are going to have 4 players that are very similar : Benzema, Anelka, Saha and Henry.

But why can’t he fit Trézéguet into his system? Because he doesn’t dare play with less than 2 defensive midfielders. Vieira, Makélélé, Toulalan, Diarra and Diaby. To face the Faroe Islands and Lituania. Honestly. Who is he kidding? Trézéguet, Saha and Henry would be a great attack force, with Nasri and Ribery (or Rothen, Malouda, Govou or Flamini) as wingers, and Makélélé or Toulalan in midfield.

But trying a 4-3-3 wouldn’t be possible for Domenech. Since he can only ever field a 4-4-2 with 2 DM, meaning that one of the two strikers has to play very deep, becoming almost a 5th midfielder (Henry if he plays alongside Trezeguet, otherwise Anelka or Benzema)…

Of course against sides that defend with 11 men if you don’t run at their defence, they’re not going to move. Vieira and Makélélé are very good, but they’re not very useful when you’re up against Scotland who refuse to budge from their half…