One last opportunity to score points before the next rally in April and then the announcement of the list for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 – August 20). After two victories in two games at the expense of Denmark (1-0) and Uruguay (5-1), the French team with two very different starting “elevens” and changing tactical animations faces this Tuesday evening ( 9:10 p.m., live on W9) Norway during the 3rd and last match of the French tournament, in Angers (Maine-et-Loire).
Coach Corinne Deacon is taking advantage of this friendly tournament to carry out several experiments with a view to the World Cup, the priority of this 2023 season, one year from the Paris Olympics. “We are here to work, to put things in place, sometimes also to get into trouble. If I want answers, I have to try things, she explained after Uruguay. Experiments sometimes to the detriment of the performance of certain players, but I have to accept it”.
The absence of usual executives like Griedge Mbock, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, currently injured, and Aïssatou Tounkara, unselected because of her club difficulties, did not help to smooth the tricolor game but the coach said to herself particularly frustrated by the partition of her team and in particular of her defensive axis against Uruguay despite a river score.
“After 20 or 40 minutes, or even after an entire match, I do not condemn anyone, insisted Corinne Deacon this Monday afternoon at a press conference. I take into account the opponent, I take into account this particular moment that is a first selection. But their goal is to come back in April, I told them. So I can’t tell them what they’re doing is good. It’s good, but it’s not enough. It can always be better. »
Hamraoui could start
Corinne Deacon continues: “I have to be demanding. If at 21 or 22 I tell them: You played 20 minutes and scored a goal, that’s good stop there, that’s great… No, I’m not in my role. My role is to tell them that they can and must do more. It is in their interest and in mine too, for the good of the French team. »
This Tuesday, the Blue will therefore face Norway, 13th in the world but eliminated during the final phase of the last Euro last year and still deprived of their Golden Ball 2018 Ada Hegerberg. PSG midfielder Kheira Hamraoui, who returned to selection during this rally, could start the match even if the coach remained mysterious about her tactical device and the choice of her players.
“All players must be able to adapt to all systems. They all have experience, whether in their current or past clubs, or whether in youth selection or with the A, says Deacon. The high level in any case requires adaptation. There was this association on the first game, another on the second and certainly another on the third. I told you: I want to see different things. I know the players well, their qualities, what they can bring to each other. »