Does anyone understand why the French coach decided to take out 2 of their best players (Henry and Ribery)?

Question

Why would he do that when it was obvious that they would go into shoot-outs. Having those two there and if Zidane didn't head butt, that would have probably tied the penalties!! I'm just still in shock from France's loss, they had that game. Honestly, I play soccer too (for half my life now) and I know that soccer is 90% mental and 10% physical! Whatever was said to Zidane, must have been pretty bad. I don't blame him. Now, the Italians won't shut-up about their win until 2010!!!! Great....

Answer 1

I think that's what he usually does with those 2, especially Ribery. And frankly, I don't think they were being too useful anyway I mean, Malouda was being more useful than Ribery though as unproductive in terms of goals... as for Thierry Henry... no comment!

Answer 2

Ribery and Henry have one speed that they play at...full speed. If you've been watching the french team play, you'd know that Ribery is usually subbed out around the 70th minute because he's playing all out for the entire time he is on the field. In the finals, he went longer than he had the entire cup. And with Henry, it was the same thing. Both players were spent. Henry looked like he was about ready to collapse as soon as he hit the bench. Had they been a part of the PK shoot out, I'm not sure how much I would have trusted their legs.

Answer 3

well ribery only goes one speed, and that speed is all or nothing. he tires himself out and granted he went really far into the game but he was done for and couldnt run any longer. henry on the other hand was cramping up. i agree he should have stayed in because it was the world cup final but i guess the cramps were too much for him. viera also would have helped but he too went out with an injury. rumors are that materazzi called zidane 'a terrorist' or that he said to 'play for your own country'. neither has talked to the press but those are two things that have been rumored to have been said.

Answer 4

I think Henry was injured. A paramedic was helping him stretch during the break. As for Ribery, god knows. He's one of the best attackers on the field and he could have scored or taken a penalty in the shoot out.

Answer 5

Ribery was really sluggish in the finals. He kept popping up, but only on fouls, and he wasn't making himself useful.

And why he wants to rid the wonderful French team of Thierry Henry, well thats just a mystery. His performance was one of the best I've seen him do in any World Cup game.

Answer 6

a million.Raul vs Eto'o - Eto'o 2. Sergio "Kun" Aguero vs De Rossi - Aguero 3. Messi vs Fernando Torres - Messi 4. Ribery vs Luca Toni - Ribery 5. Kaka vs Del Piero - Del Piero 6. David Villa vs Cesc Fabregas - David Villa 7. Riquelme vs Lampard - Riquelme 8. Henry vs Pirlo - Pirlo 9. David Silva vs Van Persie - David Silva 10. Robben vs Sergio Ramos - Sergio Ramos

Answer 7

Henry was tired, and was replaced by another striker, Wiltord.
Ribery was replaced by Trezeguet, he replaced a midfield for a striker, hoping for the best...the worst, as we know happened though...4 years of Italians pride, I feel exactly like you. If only they were not so arrogant...
Zidane is the best, forever, he won 1 world cup, 1 Euro cup, and played his second world cup final. Not many players can say so...

Answer 8

Am sick an tiered of the italians, they all over with the stupid celebrations. The coach took those two guys out because the were injuried. It was Zidan and that stupid head buck that cost the game

Answer 9

probably b/c they were very tired. ribery was runing his tail off the whole game. if his leags are dead, hes not going to be able to shoot a pk. a fresh player with fresh legs will be able to shoot a better pk then a tired ribery. same goes for henry. plus they guy's shot that missed was extremely unlucky.

Answer 10

I agree with you all the way!