2009 France Home – Frank Ribery #7 Small

The 2008/09 cycle for France was turbulent, as they prepared for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers under head coach Raymond Domenech.

• Euro 2008 Hangover: France had endured a disastrous Euro 2008, finishing bottom of their group. By 2009, they were attempting to rebuild confidence.

• 2010 World Cup Qualifiers:

  • France finished 2nd in their qualifying group behind Serbia, forcing them into the playoff round.

  • In November 2009, they faced Ireland in a dramatic two-leg playoff. France advanced 2–1 on aggregate, though the tie is infamously remembered for Thierry Henry’s handball assist in extra time.

• Friendly Matches 2009: France played numerous friendlies, including clashes with Argentina and Nigeria, experimenting with different lineups.

• Key Storyline: France’s qualification was controversial, with Domenech heavily criticized. However, stars like Franck Ribéry, Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema, and Yoann Gourcuff carried the team forward.

• Kit: The 2009 France home kit, made by Adidas, was a modern royal blue shirt with subtle horizontal striping, white trim, and red detailing — sleek and stylish, symbolizing “Les Bleus.”

2. Player’s Impact – Franck Ribéry (2009)

Franck Ribéry, then at Bayern Munich, was France’s most dynamic and creative attacker in 2009.

• Role: Played mainly as a left winger or attacking midfielder, cutting inside with dribbling flair and linking up with Henry and Benzema.

• World Cup Qualifiers: Scored crucial goals, including strikes against Lithuania and Faroe Islands, helping France secure second place in the group.

• Influence: With Zidane retired and Henry in his twilight years, Ribéry carried much of the attacking burden, acting as France’s most consistent performer.

• Legacy in 2009: This was peak Ribéry — explosive at Bayern Munich and a talisman for Les Bleus, though the controversies surrounding Domenech’s management clouded the national team atmosphere.

3. Full Squad List – France (2009, World Cup Qualifiers & Playoff Squad vs. Ireland)

Manager: Raymond Domenech

Goalkeepers:

• Hugo Lloris (Lyon)

• Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

• Cédric Carrasso (Toulouse)

Defenders:

• Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

• Eric Abidal (Barcelona)

• William Gallas (Arsenal)

• Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)

• Julien Escudé (Sevilla)

• Rod Fanni (Rennes)

• Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders:

• Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon)

• Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)

• Alou Diarra (Bordeaux)

• Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux)

• Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

• Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)

Forwards:

• Thierry Henry (Barcelona)

• Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

• André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse)

• Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)

• Sidney Govou (Lyon)