Marie-Antoinette Katoto makes no secret of it: after the match against Italy (5-1) and Rotherham’s return to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, an hour further south by bus, she “very little sleep”. The fault both of the time spent with loved ones but also of a “nervous system so maxed out that you can’t come down”. Like all of Corinne Deacon’s team, the PSG striker was expected during this first outing of the competition. To have marked entry is in his eyes “only more”. “The goals of Grace (Geyoro) or DD (Editor’s note: Delphine Cascarino) are also important”.
After this evening with “a lot of contained joy”, the Blues were also able to meet their loved ones. “It does a lot of good,” remarks Katoto. Most of the players were able to spend time with them, it’s important too. »
Training time is approaching and the attacker is invited to join the field. She just has time to evoke the atmosphere around this Euro. “It’s a big event, a big tournament,” she said. It’s a good thing for women’s football, for French football. Afterwards, we stay focused on the field and we hope that on the field it will follow”. She doesn’t have time to answer the question about her personal goals. Like Kadidiatou Diani and Charlotte Bilbault who accompanied her in the exercise, she would certainly have put forward “the collective”.
In general, the Bleues bet on the card of humility in their speeches. “We must not let go, this is only the first match, had thus underlined Diani. We will try to keep our heads on our shoulders. “When asked what she thought of her match, Diani points above all to the final result. “I didn’t score, it’s true, but for the rest, why not? she smiles.
By the way, Belgium arrives on Thursday evening before a last match of the first round against Iceland on the 18th. What is the margin of progress for the French team? “We have to continue like this, assures Charlotte Bilbault, improving what did not work in the second half. We will rely on that because we know that with the result of yesterday (Sunday), a lot of teams are waiting for us. It’s up to us to stay focused. It’s Belgium on Thursday and we’ll see later. »
