Covid-19 requires, they had not met for more than six months and their success in the first Women's Tournament of France.
Reunited again since Monday and arriving on Wednesday in Subotica in Serbia, the Bleues resume their Euro qualifying campaign (postponed from 2021 to 2022) this Friday evening (9 p.m., live on W9).
Victorious in their first two matches in Kazakhstan (3-0) and against Serbia (6-0), France (3rd in the FIFA rankings) will leave again with the favor of the predictions against Serbia (41st) and North Macedonia ( 129th) next Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about this recovery meeting.
After 2 days at Clairefontaine, the Bleues flew to Serbia yesterday.
đ«đ·đ·đž Friday at 9:00 p.m. on W9 #FiersdeterBleues pic.twitter.com/FMkmusCCak
- French team ââ (@equipedefrance) September 17, 2020
A small group, but offensive
The coach Corinne Deacon had to face a real hecatomb to compose her list.
In addition to Sarah Bouhaddi's decision to put her international career on hold, five other major players are missing due to injury.
They are defenders Wendie Renard (ischios), Griedge Mbock (Achilles tendon), AĂŻssatou Tounkara (knee) and midfielders Amandine Henry (calf) and Grace Geyoro (tibia).
âThey are important players in the squad, who have a lot of experience and selection.
It is something a little new.
I think we have never had so many absences at the same time â, observed Eugenie Le Sommer Thursday in videoconference of the press.
In the absence of her teammate Amandine Henry, the Lyon striker will inherit the captain's armband.
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The Blue could evolve in an offensive formula since Corinne Deacon has summoned no less than nine attackers in her group of twenty-three and could associate five on the field.
"I am spoiled for choice and a lot of offensive solutions with players who can occupy several positions, it is up to me to find the right combination", only indicated the technician without revealing anything of her plans.
Peyraud-Magnin on the front line
At the end of July, in an interview with the Olympique-et-Lyonnais.com site, Sarah Bouhaddi announced to everyone's surprise her "need to breathe and take a break with the France team".
The 33-year-old goalkeeper with 149 selections had warned Corinne Deacon of her decision.
âI don't accept it, but I respect it.
I hope that she will change her mind very soon and that the France team can count on her again, âsaid the coach, announcing her list.
It is therefore Pauline Peyraud-Magnin who will find herself on the front line.
Even if she has not yet played this season with Atlético de Madrid, which she joined this summer from Arsenal, the 28-year-old goalkeeper will honor her 5th selection.
The first, in April 2019 against Japan, was cut short with an injury exit after 20 minutes of play. âIt was complicated, but you have to know how to bounce back and I knew how to do it.
I think I have a big mind, âsaid the former Lyonnaise and Marseillaise in an interview with AFP this week.
"It is a great pride to pass No. 1, it was in my objectives", also admitted the one who had been seriously affected by the Covid-19 in mid-March.
" I was very afraid.
I was far from my family.
I was afraid of having to go to intensive care, âshe told us when she recovered.
The Sommer on the hunt for a record
So, is it for this time?
"At each selection, it's the same story, it's you who tell me about it", laughed the person in videoconference.
Silent during the three matches of the Tournament of France, Eugenie Le Sommer has two new opportunities to equal, or even to beat, the record of goals for the French team of Marinette Pichon.
With 80 goals in 170 selections, the Lyonnaise is only one unit from the former emblematic striker of the Blue (81 goals in 112 selections).
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âIt's in the back of my mind because I'm really close to this record, but it's not an obsession, assured the French favorite Bleue before the World Cup last year.
I try not to focus too much on it because I don't want it to pollute my mind or my game. I try to play on instinct.
If I score so much the better, if I don't score, too bad.
"
It's time for the recovery with the Blue đ”âȘïžđŽ @ equipedefrance pic.twitter.com/KhONh1ni4k
- Eugénie Le Sommer (@ ELS_9_FRANCE) September 14, 2020
Still, it could prolong a glorious summer at all levels. In the wake of her wedding celebrated on August 11, the Breton had already made history by winning her seventh Champions League individually with Lyon, just like Sarah Bouhaddi and Wendie Renard, after opening the scoring in the final against Wolfsburg (3-1). âIt was difficult this year with the Covid, but there were good times, with my marriage and this victory. I made myself a nice little gift, âsmiled the top scorer in OL history (270 goals). It's up to her to buy another
