The French women’s team tried on Tuesday in Reims but never found the solution against Norway (0-0), stumbling on the opposing goalkeeper or the post, but the Blues remain at the top of their group.
With this draw, the French have ten points and see the Austrians return to three points after their victory against Portugal at the start of the evening (2-1), but continue to get closer to the “Final 4”.
After a close meeting on Friday where they were rather effective in Oslo (2-1), the Blues, who have still not lost, this time did not find a solution in front of the 13,000 spectators at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims . Often lacking inspiration.
Not creative enough and often too academic, they achieved beautiful movements when they accelerated and played with one touch. Like an action just after half-time, concluded with an easy but high shot above the Norwegian goal (49th).
Baltimore in sight
Left on the bench by Hervé Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, in 14th place for the 2023 Ballon d’or, was forgotten by Sandy Baltimore, comfortable on her right side, even if she made a very good entry on time game.
“We are not going to hide the question, she must do better,” said the coach on Monday at a press conference about Diani, the Blues’ top scorer at the World Cup but below since the start of the season.
Established in place of the Lyonnaise, Baltimore was the most prominent French player, author in particular of two powerful strikes (25th, 31st) and at the origin of beautiful movements with Elisa de Almeida, the PSG defender.
She scored points with a view to the Olympic Games, notably when she found the post (70th), and even though she had a complicated past season.
The Parisian striker’s match will surely give the coach headaches for the Olympics, where he will have to call up 18 players including five attackers. And with Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto expected to return in time for the summer.
Two posts
Because on the left, Renard has decided to once again trust a new player: Julie Dufour, Paris FC striker, who is having a thunderous start to the season in D1 and the Champions League.
After her first in Blue on Friday in Oslo where she was at the origin of the first goal for the French, she showed herself a little less on Tuesday when the game clearly leaned to the right; Apart from a timid shot (17th) and a header above (51st).
If the trio with Sakina Karchaoui and Grace Geyoro combined well on Friday, it was much less fluid in Reims. The 22-year-old Parisian was replaced at the hour mark by Diani, who made a good entrance, with pride.
Hervé Renard was able to trust two former executives, back in the selection. Once again established, Amandine Henry was often called upon and projected herself on several occasions such as when she tried her luck with a powerful strike (56th) well captured by Aurora Mikalsen, the Norwegian goalkeeper, or when she found the post (85th). Just like defender Griedge Mbock, back from injury, who played a complete match.
Beyond the good news, the French have too often come up against Mikalsen. In December at the next meeting, they will therefore have to win in Portugal and against Austria to continue their campaign in the League of Nations, and calmly head towards the Olympics, the objective of Hervé Renard and the Blues.