“What did Les Bleues miss, eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup a month and a half ago? What are you going to focus on this new year?
I think we lacked efficiency, of being more realistic. I’m thinking of the match against Australia. Afterwards, when we miss five penalties, we only have ourselves to blame. It’s not technical, it’s the mental aspect that comes into play. These are moments that are part of high-level women’s football that will need to be addressed better later. They so deserve to qualify, with everything they have given at work and outside, it is beneficial. I’m sure this will allow this team to grow further. The watchword is the same. We started our adventure together in April. The adventure continues, it’s part of the football paths that we take from time to time. It is through these moments that we build ourselves. We become even more united, I think all the girls came back with the pleasure of seeing each other again, that’s the most important thing.
Are you already focused on the Olympics, or rather on the Nations League which begins this Friday against Portugal?
We are focused on this new competition, a great competition. We are going to face a high quality opponent, we saw it with their performances against the United States or the Netherlands at the World Cup, or against England in preparation. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s better to play these matches than to play friendly matches which are less interesting.
“It’s up to us to reach out to the spectators. They must be good quality stadiums, it must be a spectacle and not a Sunday amateur match”
The stadiums were full in Australia, they were almost empty for the champions’ trophy and in D1. What do you think ?
This is explained by the fact that not everything that needed to be done for women’s football has been done. There are measures that have been taken recently, it will take a little time to change people’s outlook on women’s football. The World Cup helped to give a better image to the French team, the attendances and audiences, the figures were excellent, it’s a sign. I have said it several times, it is up to us to reach out to the spectators. They have to be good quality stadiums, they have to be a spectacle and not a Sunday amateur match. It’s reductive to say that, but we need a better package. It’s a different match if it’s in big stadiums, that’s the beauty of football, it’s a spectacle above all. France must progress on this front. There are nations which have overtaken France, it is a warning signal, we must look into it.
What is your view on the crisis affecting the Spanish women’s team? Can it be beneficial for women’s football?
It’s only football that interests me, the rest tires me. I’m not even aware of it, I don’t read that information, even if I can understand that there are things… I’m focused and I like football, the rest is nothing my spring. »
2023-09-21 17:29:51
#Hervé #Renard #Les #Bleues #coach #friendly #matches
