A (very) ambitious new coach
With the appointment of Hervé Renard as coach, replacing Corinne Deacon, the French women's team is entering a new era.
And as with every (big) change, it will be interesting to follow the (big) premiere of the native technician from Aix-les-Bains, this Friday evening (9:00 p.m.), against Colombia.
Especially since he announced it, if he joined Les Bleues, it was to win titles: "
I think the objectives are clear: to be, at least, in the last four of the World Cup and OJ.
And I was told: "if you have the opportunity to win, don't deprive yourself of it".
That's good, that's what I came for!
“, he said during his presentation press conference.
This match against the Tricolor could thus be the starting point of a (very) great adventure for the Blues.
Towards a new style of play
Who says new coach also (often) says new game principles. During his presentation press conference, the one who achieved a great 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Saudi Arabia revealed the game identity he would like to put in place with the Blue: “
Speed is an important element in modern football.
A midfield with young players to bring dynamism.
And be conquerors, a fairly high pressing, constant pressure
, ”he explained.
A style that looks attractive on paper.
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A good atmosphere found
While with Corinne Deacon, the atmosphere within the French women's team seemed heavy - at least that's what some players implied -, Hervé Renard seems to have succeeded in ( re) create a positive climate.
“
What I remember from the first days is the sun, the smiles, the good mood.
We feel a lot of enthusiasm in the team
, ”explained Eugénie Le Sommer, she who returned to the Bleues after almost two years without being called up.
This is an essential point because, as the new coach reminded us, "
group life is important
".
A good atmosphere off the pitch can spill over onto the pitch.
To see if this will be the case this Friday evening against Colombia.
Read alsoFrench women's team: "More skill" with Hervé Renard, according to Eugénie Le Sommer
The returns of Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer
The arrival of Hervé Renard at the head of Les Bleues was accompanied by two returns of choice: those of Wendie Renard, who had decided to put her international career on hold because of Corinne Deacon, and Eugénie Le Sommer, who had not been called for almost two years.
The first, who retains the captaincy, should still be one of the major players in the team.
The second, who was appointed vice-captain with Grace Geyoro, could on the other hand speak about his experience coming out of the bench.
“
In Lyon, the competition is fierce at the centre-forward position, but it is capable of evolving in other registers or becoming a luxury joker.
We need his experience and his intelligence in the game. As we say
:
welcome back
!
“, assured Hervé Renard.
Read alsoFrench team: For Eugénie Le Sommer, it's never too late
A good preparation for the World Cup
This Friday evening, in Clermont-Ferrand, the match against Colombia is more than just a friendly match for Les Bleues.
It is the first, and one of the few, of the (short) preparation for the 2023 World Cup organized in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
This will therefore be an opportunity for Hervé Renard's players to assimilate new principles of play and find new automatisms in order to arrive at the World Cup with some certainty...and thus hope to reach the semi-finals - the stated objective - or even better.