2023-12-02 07:37:51
Guided by local Éric Blahic, his assistant, Hervé Renard spent a “perfect day” in Brittany. From the meal under the Rennes sun to the clear victory (3-0) against Austria, which sent the French team to the “Final Four” of the League of Nations in February, the Blue coach could not dream of better. He expressed his joy at a press conference this Friday evening, congratulating the 26,000 spectators who came to fill Roazhon Park despite the polar cold.
You won 3-0 but the first period was more difficult. Did the walls shake in the locker room at halftime?
HERVÉ RENARD. A little bit (smile). We were not satisfied. It’s good, even when leading 1-0, to shine a spotlight on what’s going wrong. We could see that this Austrian team was looking for depth. We had to be closer, have more determination, look forward. This is what the team did well in the second half. We showed realism this evening. The thing we failed to do against Norway (Editor’s note: 0-0, in Reims last month). 13 points out of 15 is good. We have a qualification for this Final Four. Even if there is still one match left on Tuesday in Portugal.
A first goal since 2019 for Amandine Henry, a goal for the return of Marie-Antoinette Katoto… What do you remember most?
These are girls who are coming back, little by little. We can highlight the great match of Griedge (Mbock), too. We missed all these girls. They bring their maturity. They sacrifice themselves. I was a little hesitant to start Marie. But I made the decision not to do it tonight. Amandine was inactive for two weeks and it had no effect on her this evening. We were solid.
How do you judge Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s performance?
We know it’s not 100%. It’s good to have a taste again at the international level. There is a march between the championship, the Champions League and this evening. She measures the progress she still has to make. It is the most important. We saw her strong point, she scored a great goal.
How do you explain your team’s weak moments, like in the first half?
The first half, we scored too early (smile). We have the opportunity to take the break (Editor’s note: on a penalty). But it wasn’t enough. You always have to put a little pressure. I feel like I’m with the Saudis (laughs). Wendie (Fox) spoke. She knows it wasn’t enough.
“The most beautiful atmosphere I have seen in France”
Will you make any changes on Tuesday in Portugal?
We will probably rotate it. A little turnover. Some are getting impatient (laughs). It’s part of the mindset of a competitor. I don’t pretend not to see it. The important thing is to stay focused on the group spirit. We can’t play with 18 players…
What will need to change to win the “Final Four”?
We will have to further raise our level. We showed technical approximations in the first period. When you see a team like Spain, on this point, it is very strong. We are capable of doing it at parts of matches. They need to be more consistent in the game, have the same determination as in this second half. Austria is a good team. It’s a very, very good result, even if everything wasn’t perfect.
More than 26,000 spectators this evening, we imagine that you appreciated…
It’s the most beautiful atmosphere I’ve seen in France. We tasted that at the World Cup. But for 8 months, it’s been the biggest crowd here. I am convinced that for the Olympic Games, we will break records. It’s primordial. I don’t think anyone can contradict me: the players’ state of mind is impeccable. There are a lot of positive messages. We have to keep that. It’s still fragile. We are on the right path. We satisfied the public this evening. Thanks to them for coming. It is important. We will have to increase the intensity of popular support.
Do you still have the words to describe Eugénie Le Sommer’s performances?
I will never change my mind again (laughs). Even if one day she has a worse match, I will forgive her. What she does is exceptional. We’ll need her again on Tuesday. That’s why Eugénie came off in the 75th minute.
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