The coach, Corinne Deacon, may say, a quarter-final with the Blue is never just a simple match. The curse of the France team finally erased, Saturday July 24, after five failures at this level, it is now necessary to project oneself, the spirit (a little) liberated. The semi-final against Germany promises to be tough and the last dross of the Blue will be scrutinized by opponents crowned eight times in the European championship, a record.
It was lacking since the start of the championship compared to a successful offensive battalion, the defense of the Blues trembled but did not give in. Like Wendie Renard, exemplary in the last minutes when the Netherlands put pressure. Better, the defense was an actor of the match: “Che penalty is not a godsend, we will get it. Then, it takes all the experience, the wisdom, of Wendie Renard to leave the penalty to Eve”, underlined at a press conference the coach Corinne Deacon, satisfied with the collective performance of her troops. The only shadows on the board, the dangerous scrambles that left the Dutch to revive in the second half on missed duels and approximate passes.
Shooting is not scoring. This could be the balance sheet of the Habs. With 22 shots including nine on target for a single goal (penalty), the record is poor for the offensive armada. It must be said that with a Dutch goalkeeper in demonstration throughout the evening, the Blue did not deserve. “You were worried about the athletic and defensive aspect. You have been given answers. On the other hand, we have not given you any on the offensive side, in terms of efficiency. But in terms of dangerous occasions, we’re way ahead”, underlined the coach. “We came across an extraordinary goalkeeper, who we may have made shine at times, it’s true”, recognized Corinne Half-word Deacon, in reference to shots sometimes rushed and lacking in intensity.
Coming in the 62nd minute to replace Melvine Malard, and named best player of the match, Selma Bacha revived the French team in a second period where she often sinned. “We had a discussion with the coach on entering, and after that I wanted to play without pressure, my best football” explained the Lyonnaise. It is ultimately the depth of the bench that was most successful for the Bleues on Saturday evening, with linings as important as the holders. All that remains is to adapt this recipe to a 90-minute match to avoid the hazardous case of overtime.
End of regulation time
2 x 15 minutes to try to join Germany in the semi-finals Go Les Bleues we give everything0-0 | #FRAPBS | #ProudToBeBlues #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/CPotcfZqyR
— French Women’s Team (@equipedefranceF) July 23, 2022
Building on this success, Selma Bacha is already looking ahead: “It is up to us to tell our story. We are very proud to have won this quarter-final, and we will rest for the semi-final”. An express recovery since the Blue are expected on July 27 in the semi-finals. That is two days less rest compared to the Germans. “But when you win, you always recover faster. We will do as usual: we will adapt”, concluded Corinne Deacon, sketching a smile from Rotherham.