The pressure, what pressure?

Les Bleues, expected at the turn, inflicted on the Azzurre the biggest card of the first day, even larger than the river scores achieved by the Germans (4-0), the Norwegians and the Spaniards (4-1) before them at the start of the tournament.

The label of favorites did not seem too heavy to bear for the French, with their feet on the floor against the Italians overwhelmed by waves of attacks from the right, left and center.

Barbara Bonansea's team missed their chance when the Juve star winger missed their face-to-face with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, guardian of the Imperial Blue Temple in front of her club teammate (4th).

French Delphine Cascarino hits and scores against Italy at the Euro, July 10, 2022 in Rotherham FRANCK FIFE AFP

Because after this big thrill, the Blues warmed the hearts of their supporters scattered around the small New York stadium, where some 8,500 fans had taken place, launching a fiery American quarter of an hour with goals signed Geyoro (9th) and Marie Antoinette Katoto (12th).

The start could have hurt even more if the post had not repelled the attempt by "MAK" (15th) after a throw-in from Delphine Cascarino preceded by a combo roulette, small bridge and cross from Kadidiatou Diani, untenable on her right wing.

"At one point, we did not believe it ourselves on the bench," smiled coach Corinne Deacon at halftime on TF1, surprised by the insolent success of her players.

French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and midfielder Sandie Toletti after the victory against Italy at the Euro, July 10, 2022 in Rotherham FRANCK FIFE AFP

Les Bleues had indeed secured the victory even before the second period, which started at 5-0.

On the other hand, they eased off and conceded an avoidable goal from the incoming Martina Piemonte (76th), then were relieved by a save from Selma Bacha and a parade from Peyraud-Magnin in added time.

Deacon Comforted

On the tricolor side, once is not custom, the avalanche of goals did not come from the feet of Katoto, who nevertheless scored his 48th pawn of the season (club and selection combined), but from his captain in Paris SG, Geyoro, crowned with her first international hat-trick.

Italian Sara Gama (g) overtakes French Ouleymata Sarr, July 10, 2022 in Rotherham FRANCK FIFE AFP

After opening the floodgates for a quiet success, the player of just 25 years old exploited a deviation from Katoto then hooked the goalkeeper (40th, 4-0), before seeing triple on a cross from Sandie Toletti (45th, 5 -0).

Geyoro's broad smile erased the memory of his tears, on June 21 at Clairefontaine, when his left ankle turned and his presence at the Euro was written in dotted lines...

Frenchwoman Marie-Antoinette Katoto (g) scores ahead of Italian Sara Gama on July 10, 2022 in Rotherham FRANCK FIFE AFP

With this thunderous start, France sweeps away the skepticism born of two preparation matches without great adversity, against Cameroon (4-0) and Vietnam (7-0), and strengthens the position of its coach.

"Not always judged at its fair value", Corinne Deacon "deserves the confidence of the federation", supported the boss of the FFF, Noël Le Graët, in an interview granted to L'Equipe and AFP before the coup. mail.

After having mentioned a contract extension until the Mondial-2023, at the beginning of the week, the leader wanted to qualify.

"No, no, we are still discussing. Whatever the contract, as long as it is not signed it is never done."

French coach Corinne Deacon during the match against Italy at the Euro, July 10, 2022 in Rotherham Oli SCARFF AFP

If the momentum generated on Sunday were to be confirmed, the future of Deacon would become even clearer.

In the meantime, France fly over their group ahead of Iceland and Belgium (who drew 1-1 earlier on Sunday), with Italy bringing up the rear.

And the dream of a first title, July 31 at Wembley, remains intact.

© 2022 AFP