This is the big rehearsal, the match which will undoubtedly allow Thierry Henry, his staff and the whole of France to know if his boys are ready for the immense deadline which awaits them in four months.
Before meeting them again on July 24, at the Stade Vélodrome for their very first match of the Olympic football tournament, the Bleuets host the United States this Monday in a friendly match at the Bonal stadium in Sochaux (9:05 p.m.).
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“Now we know,” Thierry Henry reacted very soberly at the microphone of France Télévisions, following the draw.
We have a friendly match against the United States on Monday, that was not planned.
We will prepare in the best possible way and try to go as far as possible.
» The Gunners legend probably couldn't have dreamed of a better poster, however fortuitous it may be, to put his boys in the deep end.
Led by an ultra-talented generation, including the great promises at their position that already include Chevalier, Restes, Lukeba, Yoro, Akliouche, Doué, Koné, Thuram and Wahi, the Bleuets were nevertheless shaken up last Friday in a friendly against the Côte d’Ivoire (3-2).
A match during which they had to cope largely without Bradley Barcola, who was injured in the 25th minute and who should be out for at least two weeks on the PSG side.
The Bleuets coach has, overall, had to deal with complicated preparation, several physical glitches and a virus which has also affected Leny Yoro and Enzo Millot in recent days.
“It's not easy, we're playing tomorrow, if you want to call people, you have to see if you have to make this or that change if it can hold... it's not the best way to prepare, but you have to manage That’s not easy, but that’s how it is,” noted Henry at a press conference this Sunday.
The coach of the French U23 team Thierry Henry talks about the complicated preparation, with two sick players (Leny Yoro and Enzo Millot) being injured, before facing the United States tomorrow.
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Opposite, the Americans remain on a great friendly victory in Girona, Spain, against Guinea (3-0) thanks in particular to a great performance thanks to the young talent of KVC Westerlo (Belgian D1), Griffin Yow.
There will then be two matches remaining at the Bleuets before the big deadline for the Olympics, in June on dates and against opponents that have yet to be specified.