2023-08-11 08:38:11
With already three goals scored in this World Cup, Eugénie Le Sommer is one of the main assets of the France team. Sidelined from the selection for almost two years, then recalled by Hervé Renard as soon as he was appointed, the 34-year-old Lyon striker found a second youth. Present at a press conference this Friday before the shock against Australia, this Saturday (9 a.m. French time) in Brisbane, she hopes to continue her momentum.
You started in 2019 in the quarter-finals against the United States (1-2). What do you remember from this failure?
EUGENIE LE SOMMER. This game will help us. Each match, each competition is a learning process. What has changed ? A bit of everything. Players, all the staff. It’s a new energy, new dynamic. We had played the 8th with extra time (against Brazil, 2-1). We are not in that case. We are fine.
Can you tell us about the pressure of a quarter-final at home, like for you in 2019?
We were in that position, yes. There was excitement. It was harder to stay in our bubble. I know what it is. Anything can happen. Playing with the public can push you, but it’s also a challenge that you have to meet. The pressure, you have it in any case if you aspire to great things. It’s also the pressure that allows you to surpass yourself. We want to play these matches. These are magical moments. I hope the magic will continue.
Will Australia be the most athletic team since the start of your tournament?
I do not think so. There are others. To say that it is “THE” more athletic, we will see tomorrow. It’s a team that puts physical impact. But we played Jamaica which was in these characteristics (0-0, in the first round). More and more nations are ready. But we also have a response and we will try to counter that with something else.
“We make puzzles! »
You know Ellie Carpenter, right back of Australia, to play with her in Lyon. What can you say about his progress?
Ellie has been my club teammate for a few years. I get on very well with her. She’s a nice girl, always pleasant. She brings a smile. She’s a bit crazy too (laughs). She does a lot of running, a lot of intensity, in the percussion. She likes to project herself forward. In club, she is more offensive. She knows how to do everything, defend well, attack well. She’s a modern defender. She has made great progress. Despite her young age (23), she has extensive experience at the top level.
How do you keep the group together?
We do puzzles, that’s it (laughs). We know that you have to be together to go far. Teams that win titles have been welded together. We are living beautiful things, we want it to continue.
What are the keys to winning tomorrow?
What can make the difference is experience at first. Then the mind. We cannot go to the end without facing all the situations. Mentally, we are ready. It will be important to be tomorrow. We know what we want.
“We want to bring something back for the country”
For Australia, this is the most important game in its history. And for you ?
We are not quite in the same situation. They say that because they have never played a semi-final. We, yes. World Cup, Olympic Games… We have already played important matches. That’s part of it, that’s for sure. In relation to the objectives, we are at a turning point.
Would you say you are on a mission?
We have high goals. We want to be in the last four. We’ve been one of the best teams for a long time. We are in the top 5, in the top 4… But we haven’t won anything, no medals. That’s why it’s important. We want to mark this history of women’s football. We want to bring back something for the country. We want to do great things.
Is it a dream for you to be here when you weren’t called up to the France team for two years?
We will say that my ambitions changed when the list fell. Even though I said it was unexpected, I knew what I had to do. I knew the issues. It was clear in my head. I’m happy with what I’m doing so far. But it is not finished. I still hope to do great things.
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