2023-06-20 16:20:56
The coach of the French women’s team appeared before the press on Tuesday, for the start of preparation for the World Cup (July 20-August 20).
The state of mind when attacking the preparation
“I am happy to find the players and the staff after an internship in March where everything was very fluid and perfect. That’s why I was eager to start this preparation, as long as it is important. There will be several working periods, and some rest periods too. The first phase will conclude with the friendly match in Dublin against Ireland on July 6, while the second phase will begin with our departure for Australia on July 8 and a warm-up match against the Australian team on July 14.
The state of the troops
“They all look in great shape, some are a bit more tanned than others. They were able to cut, escape a bit, which was necessary after a long season. To have been able to rest for two weeks has undoubtedly been good for those who had hardly had a vacation last summer. Now we have time to prepare them well. We now have to get back into a working environment to be ready for this World Cup.
A different preparation for girls and boys
“I’m not going to shake up my habits but adapt. There are different parameters, on which it is necessary to be more attentive in women’s sport. We don’t have the same physiology, for example. The follow-up to be even more meticulous. Afterwards, with my staff, we tried to think of all the scenarios. We are in exceptional conditions and we will have no excuses. And I’m sure the mood will be very good. It feels.”
Wendie Renard FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Recipes for a good collective life
“I think good preparation is the key to good competition. You have to know how to vary and not fall into a routine that becomes negative. You have to innovate, without looking for crazy ideas. During meals too, you have to take the opportunity to vary the hours. All this should make it possible to create an absolutely essential cohesion in order to hope to win a competition.
His happiness to be coach of the Blue
“It is an honour for me. Since 2002, I have traveled a lot and I was very proud to be the coach of the countries that I managed, but which were not mine. Today is a totally different setup for me. When we are in France, we tend to criticize it a lot. A little too much even, because we are used to good things and we develop a more critical spirit. For me, who spent a lot of time abroad, I come back with pleasure and happy to find what makes our culture. I am proud to wear the French colors loud and clear.”
Amandine Henry FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The return of Amandine Henry
“I teased her a bit by saying welcome. She will of course find a management role, it is important. Then, it will be up to her to demonstrate all her qualities, her ability to take on such a role and to bring to the group. She could not be there in April but I think there will be no problem for her to impose herself through her experience, her charisma and her footballing qualities. With the staff, we will do everything, for her but for all the others too, to put her in the best possible conditions.
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Kadidiatou Diani’s shoulder
“I think she’s fine, that everything has been done to get her back gradually, hence this protection which seems completely normal to me at the level of her shoulder. I don’t have any particular concerns about her. I am convinced that Kadi will regain her athletic skills very quickly and that she will bring us a lot during this World Cup. And we will need it. But there, the lights are green. It’s up to us to make sure it continues.”
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Players without a club
“I am optimistic by nature, and my job also pushes me to be. For those who haven’t found a club yet or want to change it, we would like this to be resolved quickly, by June 30th. If not, we will adapt. All the players in this group have many qualities and they will have many opportunities. And the two small cuts that we have planned during this preparation will also allow them to conclude their personal situation. In any case, I would like everything to be settled when we leave for Australia, so that everyone can fully concentrate on the competition.
The future reduction from 26 to 23 players
“I have an idea which is not precise, because otherwise it would mean that preparation and training would not be of much use. We are not going to accumulate players in certain positions, so we will have to balance the group well. Afterwards, it creates uncertainty, which must be positive and not turn into stress. And then it will be up to me to play the role of the villain by dismissing three players from this group of 26. The state of mind will be a very important criterion, even certainly essential.
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His second World Cup in less than a year
“It is something exceptional. If you had met me after the World Cup in Qatar (where he was the coach of Saudi Arabia) to tell me that I was going to experience another in a few months, I would not have understood too much. It’s a part of fate. I chose him and I was chosen. And I don’t think I’m here by chance.
Her role as an ambassador for women’s football
“I don’t know what my exact role is, but I have a mission. From the moment I agreed to become coach of the Blue, I had well measured the ins and outs. I tend to be very pragmatic and if you are, you can say that women’s football is not considered at its fair value. Then, we can always debate it for hours, but that’s not my job. Simply, we have to improve our image, our communication, our visibility and all this will mean that at some point there will be more recognition and respect for women’s football.
#dont #chance