Having written this on July 14th – French National Day – it’s game-day between France and Australia. The result: 1-0 Australia in a tough game against the highly-motivated Matildas looking to bring the trophy home.
My name is Camille. I am French, a writer for Beyond 90, and historically disappointed by Les Bleues. But this time, I believe that we could do something great. Vive la France!
New beginnings
2023 marks the end of Corinne Diacre’s era at the head of the French women’s national team. Her lack of pedagogy, let’s be honest, hid rivalries between some players. Les Blues do not have excuses anymore. This year is also a new beginning with the announcement of HervĂ© Renard as the new coach. He is the second to coach a men’s and women’s national team (after John Herdman with Canada).
A breath of fresh air that remotivates an entire nation: a strong, skillful, and talented group that only lacked this solidarity to shine – and without the tensions previously felt beyond the locker room. Before traveling to Australia, Les Bleues had a visit from World Cup champion and head coach of the French MNT, Didier Deschamps. He told them that “when there is no union, it is almost impossible to know the victory.”
In my opinion, the French WNT’s main problem is neither technical nor tactical but mental – Les Bleues have to form a team on and off the pitch.
What is a World Cup for Didier Deschamps?
For “DĂ©dĂ©”, the World Cup is “a sporting journey but also a human adventure. There is what happens on the pitch, (…) but these are also moments of sharing and moments that can be more or less difficult between those who will play, those who will play a little, and those who will certainly not play.”
A team in transition and full power
The Women’s World Cup 2023 will see a group in total transition with 12 players about to play their first WWC, so more than half of the group compared to 2019. They are Constance Picaud, Selma Bacha, Estelle Cascarino, Elisa De Almeida, MaĂ«lle Lakrar, Kenza Dali, LĂ©a Le Garrec, Sandie Toletti, Vicki Becho, Naomie Feller and Clara MatĂ©o. Let’s hope the chemistry operates.
With them, experienced Wendie Renard was named captain of the team, while EugĂ©nie Le Sommer was also called back to the national team and could become the most-capped-French player in a Women’s World Cup, surpassing GaĂ«tane Thiney.
Unfortunately, Les Bleues will have to do without Amandine Henry – who probably would have played her last World Cup – as well as Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Griedge Mbock, Delphine Cascarino, and Oriane Jean-François, who are all injured. Others like Thiney or Kheira Hamaroui have not been called-up.
The team is far more diversified than before as some play abroad as well as Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid) or Kenza Dali (Aston Villa). Finding playing time was more difficult for Aïssatou Tounkara at Atlético Madrid and Viviane Asseyi at Bayern München (now playing for West Ham), which proves the importance of players discovering other leagues.
Among the débutantes are many experienced D1 Arkema players: Léa Le Garrec (30 years, 185 games), Clara Matéo (25 years, 165 games), Maëlle Lakrar (23 years, 107 games), and Elisa De Almeida (25 years, 105 games). They may be World Cup newbies, but have been French elite players for a long time.
Some wildcards:
Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid): Having just finished a great season in Spain, Toletti could be a key element in Renard’s tactics. Her long game and tackles are remarkable. The number 6 – more defensive than Grace Geyoro – can also play higher, giving possibilities for the coach: playing with one number six and Geyoro a line higher, or aligning a Toletti-Geyoro block in front of the defense.
Clara MatĂ©o (Paris FC): One of D1 Arkema’s symbols for her importance in Paris FC’s offensive plays, her off-ball activity and her vision could disorient some defenses. Probably a substitute, she could sow doubt for opponents and influence decisive games.
LĂ©a Le Garrec (FC Fleury 91): Similar to MatĂ©o, but more of a playmaker, Le Garrec sees all before her and sees it well. Le Garrec’s story so far is a succession of beautiful stories: she went to Brighton before coming back to France as good as she had never been, she scored a few seconds into her return to the national team, six years after her last game. Now she has another story to write for her first World Cup – will she be a lucky charm for Les Bleues?
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