The horizon of the European Championship is approaching at high speed for the Blues, brought to gauge themselves one last time against the 32nd nation in the Fifa ranking, six days after the easy success against Cameroon (4-0) and, above all , more than a week before the start against Italy on July 10 in Rotherham.

In Orleans, the French will pay less attention to the scoreboard than to any progress displayed in the game, the scheduled objective of this test, while other favorites such as England and Sweden have shown the muscles against much tougher opponents.

"We have to continue to work physically, put our game back in place. We have already seen some interesting things last week. We have to continue in this direction, perhaps still being a little more efficient and starting the game a little better. match", projected coach Corinne Deacon.

Three injured, one suspended

If the preparation gave satisfaction to the tricolor framework, a few clouds came to veil the blue sky of Clairefontaine, or rather its infirmary.

The last annoyance concerns captain Wendie Renard, reduced by pain in the quadriceps, a muscle located on the front of the thigh.

Captain Wendie Renard marking Grace Geyoro (center) during a training session in Clairefontaine, June 21, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

"We are going to save her tomorrow (Friday), I don't want to take any risks. Wendie would like to play but we prefer to be careful," Deacon told the press Thursday in Clairefontaine, where the French continue their preparation.

Defender Sakina Karchaoui (thigh contracture) and midfielder Grace Geyoro (sprained left knee) will also skip this last friendly match before leaving for England next Tuesday.

"Same thing, we preserve them. They have resumed the + field + sessions but still on the sidelines of the group", specified Deacon who hopes to see all his 23 players gathered for the first training at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, their training camp. basis, July 5.

Renard, Geyoro and Karchaoui will therefore not have participated in any friendly match before the Euro.

In Orleans, he will also be missing on the score sheet Hawa Cissoko, suspended.

"Enjoy the atmosphere"

When announcing her list at the end of May, the coach had mentioned her desire to give playing time to as many people as possible for the first friendly before lining up, against Vietnam, a "closer" starting "eleven". from that envisaged at the Euro.

"By speaking too quickly, we cannot do what we say. So next time I will speak less," laughed Deacon, whose team received a visit on Thursday from the president of the Federation Noël Le Graët and from the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

Les Bleues will have a small walkabout on Friday at the Stade de la Source, announced to be sold out with 6,000 tickets sold, which delights the middle Sandie Toletti.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto with the Bleues in training at the Clairefontaine center where they are preparing for the Euro, June 29, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

"We want to take advantage of the atmosphere with our supporters for this last match in France, to leave with a lot of positive energy in England," she said at a press conference on Thursday.

The ex-Montpellier, on the start in Levante (Spain), is part of the Bleues at the end of the contract this Thursday and who have not yet announced their future base, like Aïssatou Tounkara also at Atlético Madrid.

The most explosive file concerns Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

The 23-year-old center-forward, considered one of the headliners of the Euro, has still not decided the question of his future, while his contract at PSG also expires on Thursday.

"You know very well that it will be imminent. Tomorrow we will talk more about it, well I hope. Above all, we must let her concentrate, precisely, so that she performs well at the Euro", replied Deacon after a new question about the attacker's situation.

© 2022 AFP