Blues: Hervé Renard passes his first test with flying colours, eyes are now on the World Cup

Europe 1 with AFP 19:43 p.m., April 12, 2023

The scene takes place in the corridors of the Le Mans stadium, Tuesday night after the promising victory against Canada (2-1), and it says a lot about the atmosphere that reigns within the selection. Hervé Renard greets in turn his players who leave for some with family or in their clubs ... The hugs are frank, the "goodbyes" seem sincere. Kenza Dali and Selma Bacha even dare some mockery on the dress of their new coach, all dressed in white.

"It's room!" jokes the French coach, in a teasing mood when it comes to meeting his players in the stadiums of the first division, which he intends to skimm. After the unprecedented crisis that led to the departure of former coach Corinne Diacre in early March, these moments are precious in view of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (20 July-20 August). "We feel good and it shows," confirms Grace Geyoro, centerpiece in midfield. "This internship has done us a lot of good, we leave with a smile. Off the pitch, we have this complicity with him."

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Promises in the game

The euphoria continued on the pitch, with two friendly matches won, the last before the start of the preparation for the World Cup, in June. The reaction against Colombia on Friday to reverse a worrying start to the match (0-2 after 50 minutes, 5-2 at the end) had already shown the resources of these Blues.

Tuesday's consistent win over reigning Olympic champion Canada (2-1) confirmed that impression. "It was a fantastic nine days. When you have disciplined, attentive, very rigorous players in the work, it's only happiness for a coach, "enthused the former boss of Saudi Arabia.

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Certainties before the list

Hervé Renard was able to review 28 players on the training grounds, and 20 had playing time. "The competition is going to be tough. The list of 23 will not be easy" to build, acknowledged the 54-year-old coach. The coach has a little less than two months to refine his selection: his list announcement is scheduled around June 6, before a start of preparation two weeks later. He promised a very broad first list.

The contours are already clear, including the successful return of Eugenie Le Sommer in attack after two years of absence. Renard is also counting on Kadidiatou Diani, currently injured, and he hopes for a return of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Griedge Mbock, in rehabilitation for several months. He also makes no secret of his intention to recall Amandine Henry, former captain dismissed under Corinne Diacre.

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Renard, VRP of women's football

Contrary to Deacon, who never wanted to take up the file, Hervé Renard took the development of the discipline France head on. A fine communicator, the coach has multiplied calls to broadcasters to buy audiovisual rights - those of the World Cup are still not awarded in the country. "We need you," he has repeatedly launched to the media, while the Federation plans to announce Thursday the launch of a call for tenders for next season in D1 and for the Blues.

The coach also regretted that the stadium was not full at Le Mans (14,200 spectators on 25,000 seats), and pinned the programming on a night of the men's Champions League. "It's up to us to make sure that people are more and more interested," he insisted, referring to the recent "turbulence" (Hamraoui-Diallo case, crisis around Deacon). "Our image has to be perfect to grow this women's football as it grows in England or Germany."