Five months before the World Cup, Les Bleues are playing the Tournoi de France with a first match against Denmark on Wednesday. Questions arise about their current form and about a recomposed group, marked by the selection of a ghost who is not unanimous.
The countdown begins. The French team only has five months left to fine-tune its automatics before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20-August 20). Before the final preparation matches in April, Les Bleues are playing the Tournoi de France from February 15 to 21. The Habs will begin this friendly competition against in Denmark, Wednesday, February 15, in a sold-out Francis Le Basser stadium (Laval). They will then go to challenge Uruguay and Norway at the Raymond Kopa stadium (Angers), respectively on Saturday February 18 and Tuesday February 21.
The coach of the France team, Corinne Deacon, had to compensate for the withdrawals of certain executives, notably recalling Kheira Hamraoui. A return that raises questions in a group already marked by recent disappointing results.
Can Les Bleues find a positive dynamic?
Defending champions, Les Bleues do not intend to make up the numbers at the Tournoi de France, despite its friendly nature. “We are competitors and we want to win this tournament above all”, warned the coach of the France team on the site of the French Football Federation. This competition is an opportunity for Les Bleues to regain confidence after recent lackluster results.
Marked by elimination in the semi-finals of Euro 2022 against Germany (1-2), the tricolor selection remains on three defeats in its last six outings. Les Bleues need to fill up on confidence, and find the recipe that had allowed them to chain 16 consecutive victories between June 10, 2021 and July 14, 2022. The opposition against Denmark, which the French had beaten 4 -0 in April 2019, is timely.
Which team will field Corinne Deacon?
Beyond a dynamic to find, the coach had to rack her brains to replace certain injured executives. Marie-Antoinette Katoto, victim of a rupture of the anterior ligament of the right knee during the last Euro, is still continuing her rehabilitation. It is her teammate from Paris Saint-Germain, Kadidiatou Diani, who will act as interim leader of the French attack. The training winger said she was ready to “sacrifice” as at PSG, in an interview given to AFP. At a press conference on Tuesday February 14, Corinne Deacon assured that Kadidiatou Diani had “developed different qualities. She matured, she took a step forward”.
France will also be without central defenders Griedge Mbock (knee), Elisa De Almeida (muscle problem) and Aïssatou Tounkara (who does not play at Manchester United), and the two professional left-backs, Sakina Karchaoui (ankle) and Selma Bacha (thigh). The coach should take advantage of the Tournoi de France to give a chance to Hawa Cissoko and Julie Thibaud in the axis of the defense, alongside the indestructible Wendie Renard. Estelle Cascarino, back with the Blues, should be used as a left-back.
What atmosphere with the return of Kheira Hamraoui?
This Tournoi de France marks the return to the tricolor group of Kheira Hamraoui, fifteen months after his aggression and more than a year after his last selection, already during the Tournoi de France. A reversal of the situation which was not unanimous among the Blues. “To avoid being vulgar, I will refrain from commenting. It would be better if I did not”, Kadidiatou Diani told AFP.
As a reminder, the latter had been suspected of having ordered the attack suffered by her teammate from PSG. Asked about this at a press conference, Tuesday, February 14, Wendy Renard preferred to kick in touch. “There are no tensions. It’s been a while since she was in the group but today she is selected and there is no problem”supported the captain of the France team.