Called up three times for selection without ever being able to play, the Paris FC striker was this time the most visible during Les Bleues’ victory in Norway on Friday.
A successful baptism of fire for Julie Dufour. For her first with Les Bleues, the winger delivered a top-notch performance, Friday October 27, on the occasion of the French victory in Norway for the third day of the League of Nations (2-1). Holder on the left, the Paris FC player was the best Frenchwoman on the pitch before her exit in the 70th minute.
Very restless, she was decisive by pushing, with a strong back pass, the unfortunate Maren Mjelde to score against her side for the opener. “Congratulations to Julie who had a very good match for her first cap. She deserved it, she was up to the task, which is not always easy for a first match”greeted coach Hervé Renard after the match, while the neophyte was also at the origin of the corner which brought Wendie Renard’s second goal.
Nations League: France opens the scoring
The Blues control the match but do not create any chances until this cross from Paris FC player Julie Dufour pushes the Norwegian Maren Mjelde into a mistake. The defender scores the first goal of the match against her side. – ()
“The objective was to press the defense, that’s what I did. I got a corner by trying to kick. Behind Selma (Bacha) shoots it and it ends up in the back. I’m very happy to get there”she explained in the mixed zone. For a first, we obviously have a little pressure but it’s good stress. I knew how to remove it once on the pitch.”
A good understanding with Karchaoui and Geyoro
In the game, Julie Dufour continued to multiply the passing triangles with Sakina Karchaoui and Grace Geyoro, which often had the effect of bringing danger, like a good breakthrough on her part, no concluded by a too short Eugénie Le Sommer (51st). “Julie quickly got into the swing of things, she asked a lot of questions. It happened naturally, we did a lot of training in training to find automatisms and implement them in matches, it worked well. rightly underlined Sakina Karchaoui.
It must be said that Julie Dufour had already had the opportunity to practice her ranges last month. Called up for the first time by Hervé Renard after two missed appointments due to injuries under Corinne Diacre, the 22-year-old player did not, however, have the chance to play a single minute. “I was not disappointed, on the contrary I learned a lot with the players next to me and I continued at the club”she assured.
An idyllic start to the season
With her performance in the evening, the native of Valenciennes scored good points while the prospect of a list of 18 players at the Olympic Games increases the competition for her position. Enough to further confirm her excellent start to the season with Paris FC, with whom she has already scored seven goals, including five in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League where her club eliminated Arsenal and Wolfsburg.
“It’s true that at the moment, everything is succeeding for me collectively and personally. I try to play my game as I know how to do it, without worrying. That’s what I’m doing at the moment. I have a lot worked for, and the result is here today”she rejoiced.
For the ex-Bordelaise, trained at Losc, it is now a question of confirming by continuing why not a second start, again against Norway, Tuesday October 31 in Reims. In the meantime, she will have time to think about where she wants to display her Oslo jersey. “It will end up at my house, framed, for a first it’s important. I won’t give this one to anyone.”