Corine Deacon still has work ahead of her. The French women’s team won once morest Uruguay, Saturday February 18 in Angers, its second match of the Tournoi de France – friendly competition which celebrates its third edition – but, for the tricolor coach, the site is still vast at the moment. the approach of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (from July 20 to August 20) for which the Blues have serious ambitions
Faced with Uruguayan opponents determined to fight for every ball, the French women easily won 5-1, thanks to the first goals in the tricolor jersey of young promises Kessya Bussy (26e) and Naomie Feller (80e), but also to the achievements of executives such as Kenza Dali (34e), Wendie Renard (43e), Sandie Toletti (71).e). This nice mix between collective actions and individual exploits, however, hides a real lack of efficiency as the opportunities were numerous (28 shots, half of which were on target).
Corinne Deacon had promised a squad review and the coach did not do things by halves: no less than eight changes in the starting lineup compared to the one lined up on Wednesday once morest Denmark (1-0 victory), and Kadidiatou Diani resting in the stands. New faces have thus appeared like goalkeeper Constance Picaud or defender Maëlle Lakrar, managers have returned like Grace Geyoro and Sandie Toletti in the middle, and the central hinge has been built on the Renard-Cissoko duo, following two games. unconvincing in a three-way defence.
“We are here to work, to put things in place, sometimes also to get into trouble. If I want answers, I have to try things”explained Corinne Deacon following the meeting.
Return of a three-man defense
However, nothing is settled on the defense site for a team which overall had a lot of absentees (Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Griedge Mbock, Sakina Karchaoui, Selma Bacha). The evening indeed turned into a nightmare for defender Hawa Cissoko, who was in difficulty from the 3e minute of the match when Belen Aquino intercepted his badly measured pass to present himself alone once morest Constance Picaud, without success.
Half an hour later, still under pressure from Aquino, Cissoko attempted a risky throw-in which Luciana Gomez jumped on to present herself alone in front of Picaud, eliminate the goalkeeper and equalize at 1-1, following the French opener signed Kessya Bussy, a few minutes earlier.
But Corinne Deacon clearly did not appreciate the performance: when she returned from the locker room, Cissoko left, and the Bleues returned to a three-man defense. Invited by the breeder to put “more accuracy and more speed” in the game, the Blues launched a siege in order from the cage of Sofia Olivera, very rarely letting the Uruguayans venture into their camp, and finally winning with a comfortable score which nevertheless leaves the technician hungry.
Deacon expects “boldness”
“I expect animation, risk-taking, audacity”she explained at the end of the meeting. You have to raise your level of requirement, you have to raise your mental level, you have to raise your athletic level. »
Every day new crossword puzzles, Sudoku and found words.
Play
Until then, France had always crushed Uruguay, 67e world nation: 6-0 in 2011 and 8-0 in 2019. With this new big victory, Renard and his teammates keep the lead in the Tournoi de France before receiving Norway on Tuesday, still in Angers. But followingwards, Corinne Deacon will only have two friendlies left in April before announcing her list for the World Cup.
“Those who weren’t used to playing were under pressure because it’s a bit heads or tails. It’s not easy, but in the World Cup, we will need players who are mentally ready to take on this pressure.”warned the former international player.