Blues: after a successful start, Hervé Renard "is conquering public opinion," says Jacques Vendroux

Europe 1 with AFP 20:54 p.m., April 10, 2023

After its victory in a friendly match against Colombia (5-2) last Friday, the women's France team, enthusiastic about the arrival of Hervé Renard, rubs shoulders with the Canadian Olympic champions, Tuesday at 21:10 at Le Mans. A first test for the new coach and his method on the road to the Women's World Cup. Les Bleues will therefore have to raise the cursor of adversity against Canadians who are among the favorites for the world title in Australia and New Zealand, from July 20 to August 20.

"We feel a concentrated group, listening, who want to do things together," said captain Wendie Renard, leader of the sling that led to the departure of former coach Corinne Diacre in early March. Morale is high. The images of the celebrations at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium revealed a contagious enthusiasm around the selection, with scenes quite rare among the Blues in recent years. "It was obviously a change to make," enthused Thierry Bretagne in Europe 1 Sport (every evening from 20 p.m. to 23 p.m.). But it is "not on this match that we expect it. It will be at the World Cup," said the sports consultant.

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Keeping the "flame" burning

Seeing Hervé Renard kiss the head of the returning Eugenie Le Sommer after her goal or shaking Grace Geyoro victoriously by holding her by the shoulders, smiling, are signs that do not deceive on the "Renard method", made of listening and proximity. "They had to want to smile again. We had to find the flame, "said his deputy Eric Blahic in an interview with AFP on Monday. "Listening is an essential quality. You have to get to know the woman before you get to know the player."

On Monday, Le Sommer confirmed this trend in a press conference: "We already feel very well that there is a new dynamic, a difference in cohesion, in staff-player relations," said the top scorer in the history of the Blues (88 goals), author of a double Friday for her return after two years of absence. For Jacques Vendroux, present in Europe 1 Sport, Hervé Renard "is conquering public opinion".

To keep this flame alive, a prestigious victory against Canada of legend Christine Sinclair (39), holder of the world record for goals in selection (190) and engaged like her teammates in a showdown with her federation for financial equality between the men's and women's selections, would be the best fuel.