The France team begins its World Cup against the Reggae Girlz on Sunday in Sydney.
The puzzle continues. On the eve of starting its World Cup against Jamaica, in Sydney, Sunday July 23, the France team accused a new package, that of Elise De Almeida, not present at the training session on Saturday. Already embarrassed in the adductors during the preparation, the defender of Paris Saint-Germain, who did not play the entirety of the two preparation matches, was hit in the calf.
“Elisa received a blow on the calf 48 hours ago, she could not put her foot on the ground. Today she is better but she is not able to be aligned tomorrow”, revealed coach Hervé Renard at a pre-match press conference. What cast new doubt on the defensive organization, while injuries have already upset the tricolor attack.
Selma Bacha also package
With the absence of De Almeida, who to accompany the taulière Wendie Renard in hinge? Holder against Ireland in early July, alongside the Lyonnaise, but also against Canada in April, Estelle Cascarino seems to be the designated replacement. After a somewhat delicate start, the ex-Mancunian had held on with her captain. Another option to evolve in central defense, Aïssatou Tounkara, teammate of Estelle Cascarino this year in England, recalled after the withdrawal of Amandine Henry.
Regarding the side, Sakina Karchaoui seems unstoppable on the left side of the defense. The Parisian started the two preparation matches and delivered two solid performances. On the right, Maëlle Lakrar seems to have taken the lead on Eve Périsset, after her remarkable performance in Ireland.
But the options are narrowing for the tricolor staff. Selected as a defender but used in a more offensive position, Selma Bacha is also forfeited for the match against Jamaica. Victim of a sprain against Australia, the Lyonnaise resumed the race. “Selma is getting better and better, she’s accelerating […] We were very scared, we are not going to hide it, so we are really very happy”said Hervé Renard, who explained that he did not want “take a risk” with his 22-year-old player. The tricolor coach could then be tempted to bring down some defensive players, such as Grace Geyoro, who has played a few key matches with PSG this season.
Athletic and physical opposition
The challenge is not to be neglected against a very athletic team, and against whom the French defense will have to show solidity and impact. “We have prepared for. We have seen it since the start of the competition, there is a lot of intensity, of duels”recognized Wendie Renard. “It’s a competitive match, you have to be ready from the start, take reference from the first matches, like those of Canada and Australia, where it was tense, with a lot of duels”warned the coach for his part.
The tricolor rearguard will have to be particularly wary of the formidable Jamaican striker, Khadija Shaw, second top scorer in the English Women’s Super League with Manchester City this season (20 goals). Passed by the D1 Arkema and Bordeaux between 2019 and 2021, the native of Spanish Town is well known to several players of the France team. “She’s the captain, the leader, it’s up to us collectively and defensively to be strong, to be together, and to defend well”warned Wendie Renard.