Rumours were rife that there was a great deal of discontent amongst the French camp before the game got underway regarding the appointment of Patrice Evra as the new captain. Furthermore, there were reports that a training ground row between the coach, Raymond Domenech and the much improved and on form, Florent Malouda was the reason behind Domenech's strange decision to leave him on the bench.
Domenech employed a 4-4-3 system with Anelka playing up front as the lone striker, and it was clear that this system did not suit them as they failed to create enough chances and build up any kind of tempo. The game was slow, uninspiring and not at all like the first game that had been played in the afternoon. It was so frustrating to watch France play: individually they have some great players but they just did not seem to be able to work together and fashion good enough chances. The only real glimpse at goal came from some good work by Ribery on the left who managed to get a through ball to Govou who missed from close range. Uruguay's Diego Forlan had their best chance in the first half but it was saved well by Hugo Lloris. Abou Diaby was probably France's best player of the first half. He was the only one willing to run at defenders and stand his ground whilst pushing forward to create something. Unfortunately, there was just no one else in the final third to finish off anything he was creating. Yoann Gourcuff had some pretty decent chances with some set pieces but ultimately they didn't amount to anything.
Things didn't improve much in the second half either. The game became very flat, the tempo was slow and the players had no spark or creativity about them. You couldn't help but feel disappointed and frustrated with them. It just made you wanna shout at the screen and urge them on to do something, anything that would give this game some life. Domenech eventually brought on Malouda for Gourcuff and later took Anelka off for Henry. But it was too little too late. Not only were his substitutions made way too late in the second half but they were of little effect. The shape obviously wasn't working against Uruguay because both teams were playing counter attacking football, which meant that there weren't many options available in the final third. However, Domenech made a like for like change with Anelka and Henry and didn't alter the formation proving even more frustrating for the watching spectators. He should have changed to 4-4-2 and kept Anelka on, to play alongside Henry. More chances may have been created that way.
Things livened up with the first red card of the tournament handed to Uruguay's Lodeiro, after a second bookable offence. With 10 minutes to go, France had a one man advantage but just failed to press it home. You would have thought that they would fancy their chances and push forward, but instead they didn't really change the way they were playing much to the annoyance of their fans. Henry had a great chance to win the game with a header that went just pass the goal. Out of favour, Henry also had a chance to nick a goal with a free kick deep into injury time, but it just hit the wall. I think that just about summed up a poor game for France and a good point for Uruguay. Following the match, the French media berated Domenech for his decision to leave Malouda on the bench and start with Govou, and his credentials as manager were once again put under scrutiny. There was also much talk about the spirit and mentality of the French players, who on the basis of last night, seemed to want to be anywhere but on that pitch. A disappointing end to what had been a lively and impressive start to the tournament.
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