Decryption – Without two of the greatest figures in its history for the Women’s Euro, the French team learns to live with a reorganization of responsibilities within its wardrobe.
“Today, a page turns, or a chapter, perhaps even a book.” Such were the words of Eugénie Le Sommer a month and a half ago, when talking about the end of her story with … Olympique Lyonnais. Words that could just as much, or even more apply to the earthquake felt in the France team a week later. Neither her nor Wendie Renard appeared in the list of 24 players summoned by Laurent Bonadei for the last matches of the League of Nations, one month before the start of the euro, revealing their absence for summer competition.
Highlight signs existed for the holder of the selections record (200) and goals (94) among the Bleues, 36 years old, at the twilight of her career. The surprise was quite different for Renard, 168 selections, 39 goals, 34 and still at OL, who de facto said goodbye to the captain’s armband. A decision in the name of “The future of the French team”had justified Bonadei on May 22. Understand: make way for young people.
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A captain, three vice-captains and nine executives
The Group Bleu is thus amputated by two authentic characters, two voices which no longer resonate in the locker room. “It is true that they had a major role on that”concedes Amel Majri. “But there were girls who did it just as much”opposes the experienced (32, 80 selections) midfielder.
“Everyone was talking, Acquiesce Elisa de Almeida. Wendie left us the floor even before the matches. If we had things to say, it was not that Wendie who spoke. ” To move forward, Bonadei entrusted the Brassard to Griedge Mbock. “Behind me, there are three vice-spaces who have a lot of confidence and who are there to replace me”recalls the defender that alludes to Sandie Toletti, Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui.
Bonadei is more generally based on a group of nine executives who help him “Putting messages to pass” and which act in “Group engines”lights Mbock. On the transition to the post-Renard era and the Sommer, a word returns in the mouths of the players interviewed: “naturally.” “It was done very naturally”even supports goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, the oldest (33 years) of the tricolor group.
There are a little more players who occupy space, and it is not worse.
Laurent Bonadei, coach of the French team
“I think leadership is starting to dilute on more players, Analyse Bonadei. There are a little more players who occupy space, and it is not worse. ” DE ALMEIDA CONFIRME “A taking responsibility for other players”more “It didn’t upset everything either”. For Marie-Antoinette Katototo, unbeatable with the Bleues since 2019, “Everyone is able to take responsibility”.
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Especially since there is no shortage of experience. Twelve players have at least 40 selections, six have at least 75. The aura of a fox (and its precious build on stopped kicks) and the determination of a summer belong to the past, of course, and the first full-bodied round which awaits the blue on the Euro, with the reigning champion and the Netherlands, limits the hypothesis of a rise in power.
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But the start of an answer to this new chapter was formulated on June 27. France overturned the formidable Brazil in the preparation match (0-2 after twelve minutes, 3-2 final score). “We can talk about talent, tactics, technique, but today, what I like about this French team is that it has character”savor Bonadei, architect of this transition that he wanted as soft as possible.
