Pair of Milo Longhorned
Published yesterday at 8:24 p.m., Updated yesterday at 9:35 p.m.
In good form with Stade Rennes, Désiré Doué shone with the Bleuets. Baptiste Autissier / Baptiste Autissier / Panoramic
With a double from Désiré Doué, Thierry Henry’s French U23 team won against the Ivorian selection this Friday, in a friendly, in Châteauroux.
Stunning! Four months before the Paris Olympics (July 26-August 11) and for their first outing of the year, Thierry Henry’s Bleuets defeated Ivory Coast (3-2) this Friday, in a friendly, at the Stade Gaston-Petit of Châteauroux. Rennais Désiré Doué scored twice (38th, 84th) while Wilson Odobert (72nd) equalized at 2-2. Abdoulaye Traoré and Lorient sensation Mohamed Bamba scored two goals in two minutes after returning from the locker room to allow the visitors to take the reins in this encounter with twists and turns (47th, 49th).
Note the injury exit of Parisian winger Bradley Barcola, visibly injured in a thigh, in the first period. Hard blow in sight for Luis Enrique before crucial matches against OM in the league, Rennes in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France or even Barça, in the quarter-finals of C1?
Also read “Annoyed with myself”: Thierry Henry blames himself after the narrow victory against Ivory Coast
France ahead at the break…
The Bleuets took a while to get into this match. Not in place defensively, Thierry Henry’s players were far too often outpaced by the Ivorians’ deep calls. Untenable, Lorient’s Mohamed Bamba made the entire Bleuets back line dizzy, who could thank Lucas Chevalier. If his defenders took time to concentrate, the Lille goalkeeper was perfectly in his game from the start and repelled all the opposing attempts in this first act. Up front, Elye Wahi and Bradley Barcola struggled to be found or even simply get behind the defense to use their speed and dribbling. But in high pressing situations, they recovered balls high enough and managed to project themselves quickly.
Désiré Doué obtained a ball in the penalty area after pressing the goalkeeper and however put the French in the lead just before the break (1-0, 37th). After a few saves from Lucas Chevalier, the Bleuets kept the lead when they returned to the locker room.
Also read: Henry after Barcola’s injury: “Disappointed for him, for PSG, that’s not the goal”
…And quickly behind after the restart
But from the start, the young French were picked up cold by the Ivorians who continued to be very offensive. At the kick-off, Abdoulaye Traoré tied the two selections (1-1, 46th). Barely 90 seconds later, it was the sensation of this winter in Ligue 1, Mohamed Bamba, who took advantage of a ball that the Bleuets let escape in their area to deceive Lucas Chevalier at point blank range (1-2, 49th ).
Stung, Thierry Henry’s players tried to move forward by setting the pace but still exposed themselves to counterattacks. Entering after the hour mark, Rayan Cherki did a lot of good for the France team. His ability to physically resist the pressure of the Elephants at each ball release helped to streamline the French game. It was also he who perfectly launched Wilson Odobert, himself entered in the first period in place of Barcola, for the equalizer (2-2, 72nd). Invigorated, the Bleuets continued to grow. After a sublime pigeon wing to take the ball, Doué would score his double (3-2, 84th). More diligent in defense, France held on and ended up winning (3-2 final score) at the end of a match during which its shortcomings were exposed.
The Bleuets are back at it again on Monday, in Sochaux, against the United States. A special poster knowing that the two teams will meet on July 24 in Marseille, during the Olympics, in a group which will also include Guinea or the 4th in the U23 Asian Cup and New Zealand.
