World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday One, Day Four

Karim Benzema bags a brace as France sweep aside Honduras in a bad-tempered affair. Ricardo Rodriguez provides the assists for both Switzerland goals in a win over Ecuador, whilst a Lionel Messi wonder goal proves the difference as Argentina somewhat fortuitously get the better of Bosnia:

Benzema at the Double in French Cruise
Handed the central role in a 4-3-3 formation, the Real Madrid man had a hand in all three goals as France eased to victory over an unimpressive Honduras. Benzema opened the scoring from the spot and, after his shot rebounded off the post and keeper Noel Valladres for the second, fired the final goal in a 3-0 win as Didier Deschamps’ side got their campaign up and running in convincing fashion.

Benzema was shifted to the flank late on as a result of Olivier Giroud’s introduction and if the France manager continues to utilise late subs up front, Mathieu Valbuena’s owners may be a little concerned. The Marseille playmaker – who was handed responsibility for free-kicks and corners and was unlucky not to pick up any points – made way for the Arsenal man, suggesting his game time may be lessened in the latter stages of matches.

Les Blues Defence Impresses Again
Deschamps’ side arrived in impressive form at the back, with a single goal conceded in their previous five matches. It was no surprise, then, to see France deter the lacklustre Hondurans, who managed just four attempts on goal over the entire match – those looking to invest in the French defence ahead of the games against Switzerland and Ecuador may turn to the likes of budget-friendly Rafael Varane, who seems to have established himself ahead of Laurent Koscielny in the centre-half pecking order.

Honduras’ most notable contribution to the proceedings was a non-stop show of ill-discipline that led to the dismissal of Wilson Palacios, though it’s fair to say they were lucky to end with 10 men after a serious of unsightly challenges. On last night’s showing, upcoming opponents Ecuador and Switzerland look good value for points at both ends of the pitch and may well be worth considering.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, three of the France back-four produced at least five recovered balls – Mamadou Sakho (seven), Varane (six) and Mathieu Debuchy (five) – and Yohan Cabaye also impressed, with a total of six in the deep-lying central midfield role. Honduras centre-half Maynor Figueroa and central midfielder Luis Garrido were the main men for the losers with five apiece.

Rodriguez Creativity the Key for Swiss
The left-back lived up to our expectations by teeing up both his side’s goals as Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men came from behind to see off Ecuador 2-1. Having produced five goals and nine assists for Wolfsburg last term, Rodriguez was on many a Fantasy managers’ radar, with a very favourable price tag right across the games furthering his appeal. A share of corners helped him set up Switzerland’s opener, whilst the youngster’s raids down the left troubled Ecuador time and again and even produced an assist for a wrongly-disallowed Josip Drmic strike. A midweek match with France is no easy task but Rodriguez’ display will surely persuade his owners to hand him a starting berth for the showdown against Didier Deschamps’ side.

Switzerland Subs Stake a Claim
Hitzfeld has decisions to make for the France game after both his side’s goals were provided by substitutes. Admir Mehmedi replaced Valentin Stocker in the attacking midfield three at the break and needed just three minutes to find the net after nodding home a Rodriguez corner, whilst Haris Seferovic fired home the late winner 15 minutes after replacing Josip Drmic in the lone forward role. Both scorers could well be rewarded with a starting berth for Friday’s match, whilst at the back, a shaky performance from Johan Djourou could enable Fabian Schar the chance to return to the starting XI.

Valencia Maintains Recent Form
Handed the role alongside Felipe Caicedo up front in a 4-4-2, Enner Valencia opened the scoring against the Swiss to continue the impressive run that has now seen him score in five of Ecuador’s last six matches. A favourably-priced option across the Fantasy games, he could appeal to those looking for a punt in Matchday 2 – with a game against Honduras up next, the 25-year-old could well be poised to pick up the points once again.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, three players from both sides managed more than five recovered balls. For the Swiss, Rodriguez, Djourou and central midfielder Valon Behrami produced six apiece, whilst for Ecuador, full-backs Juan Carlos Paredes and Walter Ayovi registered seven and six respectively, with Carlos Gruezo also making six in the centre of the park.

Sabella Changes Systems in Narrow Argentina Win
Having utilised a 4-3-3 formation for the qualifiers, Alejandro Sabella moved to a 5-3-2 for last night’s clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Up front, Gonzalo Higuain was sacrificed as the Argentina boss partnered Lionel Messi with Sergio Aguero before a half-time change of heart saw the Napoli forward thrown on as Sabella returned to a three-man frontline. Higuain played a pivotal role for the second goal in a 2-1 win by teeing up Messi to slot home but there’s no question that the South Americans were a little lucky to win – just two shots on target all game, with their first strike an own goal, hardly bodes well for the remaining two matches with Iran and Nigeria. If Sabella rolls out a 4-3-3 from the start next time round, though, Messi will surely be a major armband favourite for Saturday’s showdown with the Iranians after his superb winner.

Bosnians Unlucky in Narrow Loss
Safet Susic also changed his formation. The Bosnia boss mainly utilised a 4-3-1-2 or midfield diamond in qualifying but opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, handing Edin Dzeko the lone forward role and dropping Vedad Ibisevic from the XI, though the latter staked a claim for a starting berth against Nigeria next time round by climbing off the bench to net his side’s only goal. Miralem Pjanic owners will be a little concerned by his role in the double-pivot – the Roma man was expected to line up on the right of the attacking midfield three but may well be moved to a more advanced berth as Susic goes on the offensive for the two remaining matches. Bosnia had more shots (16 to 12) and efforts on target (six to two) than their opponents and will take heart from this display for the clashes with Nigeria and Iran.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, two Argentine defenders made five or more recovered balls – left-back Marcos Rojo (seven) and centre-half Ezequiel Garay (six). For Bosnia, full-backs Sead Kolasinac and Mensur Mujdza produced five apiece, whilst central midfield duo Pjanic and Muhamed Besic both managed six.