From our special correspondent in Milton Keynes
"Getting to the quarter-finals is not an end in itself."
Even before the victory against the Netherlands last Saturday (1-0), captain Wendie Renard had been clear: the objective of the French team during this Euro was not only to put an end to this disastrous series of five consecutive eliminations just before the last four.
No, undefeated against a European formation for three and a half years and a setback against Germany (0-1), the Blue dream of winning, in the mythical enclosure of Wembley, next Sunday, the first international title in their history .
But, before that, this Wednesday (9 p.m., TF1 and Canal +) the daughters of Corinne Deacon will again cross paths with the Germans, against whom they had taken their revenge on June 10, 2021.
Germany, which has long been the stronghold of women's football, with two world titles (2003 and 2007) and eight European titles (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013), a record in the matter.
Except that, since their Olympic coronation in Rio in 2016, the Germans have not won anything, and have even experienced a real period of lean cows with eliminations in the quarters of Euro 2017 and the World Cup 2019, as well as a non-qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.
Exactly like the French.
During this Euro 2022 in England, the team led by 31-year-old striker Alexandra Popp has still not conceded a single goal in four games.
A defensive solidity which is about to be severely tested by a French attack with two faces: incisive and brilliant in construction,
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An observation essentially valid since the injury, against Belgium during the second match of the group stage, of Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Difficult, if not impossible, to compensate for the absence of a player with 27 goals in 34 selections.
From the height of her 22 springs, Lyonnaise Melvine Malard has talent and desire, but neither the same efficiency nor the same complementarity with wingers Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani as the Paris SG striker.
However, this absence did not prevent Les Bleues from outrageously dominating the Dutch defending champions, who only held out until extra time thanks to the grace of a goalkeeper in a very big night and a significant luck factor.
“Score faster”
However, it seems very unlikely that Germany will be as permissive as the Netherlands in letting the French try their luck 33 times.
“There are no doubts among my players, in any case
, said coach Corinne Deacon on Tuesday.
They are confident, and also aware of what they failed to do in terms of efficiency in the last game.
We are not going to change our game plan, keeping the same guiding idea and trying to score faster than in the quarters.
Because having possession of the ball is of no importance if we are not effective in both surfaces.
And, as Wendie Renard quite rightly summarized, despite the German women's record and their two extra days of recovery, the French
“have no complex to have on this semi-final.
If we're here, it's because we deserve it, and we don't want to stop there."
