Tag Archives: Football

FRANCE CAPTAIN SPEAKS ON EMPTINESS AFTER WORLDCUP WIN

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Hugo Lloris was the first of his France team-mates to lay  his fingers on the most coveted trophy in world football, after their superb run at the football mundia.The return to normality was always going to present a unique challenge. The question ‘what is next’ presents itself.According to Hugo Lloris the  answer to the question is straightforward enough: you go home, and you celebrate the World Cup victory with your country. Though, it is not so easy Psychologically. Lloris who is known as a level-headed character, a goalkeeper who does not get carried away with the highs or too brought down by lows, but even he found himself flattened by the emotional side of winning football’s ultimate prize.

When speaking to the media he said after the World Cup, the next two or three days there is a lot of celebration, a lot of obligation, towards the country, towards the French Federation, towards the fans and afterwards there is a feeling of emptiness Mentally and physically because It’s a long tournament which demands a lot of energy and a lot of emotion.
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FRANCETO HOST ENGLAND IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

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France are set to host England in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Stade de France Stadium.


The Three Lions will see Burnley goalie Tom Heaton and Stoke star Jack Butland play a half each as Joe Hart takes a back seat after conceding two goals via set pieces against Scotland.

This would be the first start for the 31-year old Heaton – though he would now play all four divisions for the country. Ahead of the game, he said the ambition to play for the national team never left him after several club experiences at Manchester United, Cardiff, Queen Park Rangers, Bristol City and others.

The Scots scored two late efforts against their rivals in the World Cup qualifier so the former Manchester City keeper would play no part in the friendly, Gareth Southgate confirmed. However, Southgate insisted that it was never his intention to play Hart from the onset.

The manager refused to blame Hart for conceding the goals against their opponents at Hampden Park. Two strikes from Leigh Griffiths beat Hart, who played full 90 minutes.

“They were great free kicks. Beyond that, coaching conversations I have with players stay private,” Southgate replied when asked his feelings about the goals. He added that the team could have done better in so many areas. more

LYON VS BESIKTAS GAME GO VIOLENT

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On Thursday the Europa League match between Lyon and Besiktas witnessed crown disorder.


The fans spilled onto the pitch, delaying the start of the first leg clash between the French and Turkish side. The fans broke through the stewards on ground unto the pitch because fireworks had been set off and missiles sent from the stands of the visitors.

The fans ran for their safety, forcing the security to work at regaining order. All hands had to be on deck. Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulaswas pictured on the pitch trying to persuade fans to return to their seats.

France had labelled the match “high risk” as they pre-empted that the Turkish fans would want to make a political statement ahead of the forthcoming referendum in their country. The game between Monaco and Borussia Dortmund also witnessed delays as the bus of the Germans was attacked. The game had to be pushed back 24 hours. Monaco eventually won the match. more

BALOTELLI ACCUSED BASTIA FANS OF RACISM

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Former Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has accused the fans of Bastia of racism.


The Italy international, who moved to play in France with Nice on a loan deal, posted messages of his experience against racism on his Instagram handle.

“Yesterday the result against Bastia was right…we will work more and try to get our objective..the referee was good too but I have a question for French people…Is it normal that Bastia supporters make monkey noise and ‘uh uh’ for the whole game and no one of the ‘commissions discipline’ say nothing?,” Balotelli posted.

“So racism is LEGAL in France? Or only in Bastia? Football is an amazing sport..those people like Bastia supporters make it horrible,” he added. more

Deschamps Impressed by Zinedine Zidane’s Work at Real Madrid

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France national team boss Didier Deschamps claims that he is not surprised by the success Zinedine Zidane has achieved since taking over at Real Madrid just over a year ago.


However, he is certainly surprised by the way the former French star has managed the club in this period. Regarded as one of the most political clubs, managing Madrid has to be a challenge even for the best in the business. Yet, Zidane has managed to win more trophies than the number of defeats that he has suffered at the club. Zidane has already won the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

After achieving incredible success as a player,it was clear that Zidane was being groomed to become a future Real Madrid manager. However, the time came in abrupt circumstances when Rafa Benitez was sacked midway through last season. Rather than look outside for a coach, Madrid adopted the philosophy of Barcelona and brought in Zidane is the replacement. It has been a great move by Florentino Perez, as it has yielded the club their 11 European cup amongst other trophies. more

FRANCE TOP GROUP A WC QUALIFIERS’

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An incredible long-range strike from Paul Pogba led France to a 1-0 win over Netherlands in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam.


Pogba’s accurate shot, which appeared too hot for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to handle, was the telling blow in a clash between the two tough countries in Group A, leaving the hosts with the first World Cup qualifying loss since 2001.

France have now recorded three straight wins over the Dutch for the first time in their history.

“Paul is capable of and must perform better” Deschamps said after Pogba’s last international outing which he absolutely delivered for the team with his accurately launched rocket-kick. Laurent Koscielny took a square ball from Dimitri Payet while Pogba received the ball from him and aimed for the target under a little pressure.

The kick had a lot of power, Stekelenburg couldn’t handle the ball as it slipped beyond him while he dived to his right. The Everton goalkeeper had been stronger when keeping out Kevin Gameiro’s stinging drive in the early exchanges, as France consistently caused Netherlands problems on the counter.

Netherlands without the sidelined Wesley Sneijder, had their attacking options reduced especially when the injured Quincy Promes had to be substituted after just 15 minutes of playing. more

Time not Right for Benzema’s France Return, Says Deschamps

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema’s absence from the French national team continues to go on after manager Didier Deschamps once again omitted him from the squad for the World Cup 2018 qualification.


France managed to come within a whisker of lifting the Euro 2016 and this was largely achieved despite the team being without star players like Benzema. Manager Deschamps made it clear that he would be taking discipline as a priority over quality and this seems to have paid off for the national team after a long wait. They may have missed out on the title, butDeschamps has cleared the path for a bright future.

Just when it seemed that France would build on from the success, there have been calls for striker Benzema to be brought back to the national team.Deschamps was slightly doubtful that Benzema may not be available for the game against Belarus and the fears have been proved right. Apart from struggling with a back injury, it seems that the French national team is still not convinced that the 28-year-old has changed his ways sufficiently in order to become a regular with the national team. Since making his debut in 2007, Benzema has featured in 81 matches for the national team.

“He’s been available for selection for a while. He was available for selection for the Euros so his status hasn’t changed.I didn’t select him for the Euros. He was available for selection, like he is still available for selection today. But it’s up to me to select him or not. I’m going to be honest with you — even if he had been available today, I wouldn’t have picked him for this squad because I don’t think it’s the time for him to return to the French team,” said the national team manager.

BALOTELLI BACKS FRANCE TO LIFT EURO 2016

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Former AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli has backed France to lift the Euro 2016 trophy.

France are the favourites to lift the trophy after seeing off former top favourites Germany on Thursday in an epic semi final match.

Balotelli backed his friend Paul Pogba to do wonders in the game against Portugal when they meet on Sunday at the final. The player who acknowledged Germany to be favourites backed the team to repeat their success when they play in the final.

France faced Germany in the semi final in Marseille for the chance to play Portugal, who had defeated Wales on Wednesday in the other semi final game, in the final game of the tournament. The game ended 2-0 in favour of France as two goals from Man of the Match Antoine Greizmann sunk the German machines.

The player, who was released from his loan to AC Milan from Liverpool, had faced Germany before when they played at the semi final four years ago at the Euro 2012. The striker scored two goals as Italy went past the Germans. Balotelli told Goal before the semi final match: “Objectively, yes [Germany are favourites], but subjectively I hope France win because I want my friend Pogba to win. Germany in 2012 were a little bit stronger than this current Germany side but Germany are always a strong team.”
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Didier Deschamps has termed Germany as the best team in the world.

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For this reason, he claims that France have to be at their very best in order to overcome the reigning world champions in the Euro 2016 semifinals.


After a comfortable win over Iceland, France have set up a mouthwatering semi-final with Germany. The winner of the tie could go on and face either Wales or Portugal in the final of the competition. Against Iceland, there was little doubt of a victory after France managed to set up a 4-0 advantage going into halftime.

Even though Iceland threatened to spark a comeback with an early second-half goal fromSigþórsson, it was nothing more than a consolation along with the late goal fromBjarnason. It was a commendable effort and a fairytale from Iceland to at least reach the quarter-finals of the Euro 2016. However, the focus now shifts on the real top teams with France and Germany taking on each other. France are heavily backed as the home team while Germany have the World Cup medal still bleeding confidence into their hearts. Germany, however, have been far from convincing in the tournament and this has been a criticism of manager Joachim Loew.

Deschamps has tried to receive the underdogs tag by claiming that Germany are the best team in the world.”I am delighted for the players as they deserve this, and for these fans who have been behind us for months.To be able to offer them something to make them smile and feel happy and have another week in it. I’m delighted about that.We are into the last week and I’m very happy about that. Germany are the best team. There is no doubt about that even if they had a few frights against Italy, who stopped them playing,” said Deschamps.

Didier Deschamps announce his team for the Euros

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French coach Didier Deschamps has announced his squad for the Euros 2016 that will be taking place in France itself.

Among the notable absentees, we have Karim Benzema, who is suspended from the team after a blackmail scandal and Ben Arfa.

In fact, the biggest surprise is the absence of Hatem Ben Arfa, who has been quite prolific with Nice this season. Indeed, ever since he moved from Newcastle back to France, Ben Arfa has been scoring goals one after the another, and many would have thought that he would be in the team for the Euros. He is only named in the reserve side, and there will need to be an injury in the current squad for him to get a place at the Euros.

Didier Deschamps has argued that he has chosen not only the best players but also players that can play together. He said that he had chosen Olivier Giroud because he had scored 25 goals in all competition this season and the same thing goes for Griezmann. He believes that the forward players he has selected can play together and can help France go far in the tournament. Among the other forward players that have been selected by Didier Deschamps, we have Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet, Kingsley Coman and Andre-Pierre Gignac. more