Frustrating evening for the Blues. Lacking success, the French players remained silent against Norway on Tuesday in Reims, as part of the 4th day of the Nations League and had to settle for a draw (0-0). Four days after a success in Oslo (1-2), the French were initially not inspired and sharp enough then shot once at the post and twice at the crossbar at the end of the match. They still remain leader of group 2.
Without Selma Bacha, suspended, nor Kadidiatou Diani, left on the bench, but with Sandie Toletti and Sandy Baltimore and Julie Dufour again, the Blues started the meeting with a great offensive desire. Amandine Henry stepped up and found Eugénie le Sommer at the penalty spot for a header that was too loose (7th). Toletti (16th) then Dufour (17th) tried their luck with good shots, repelled by Aurora Mikalsen for the first and just off target for the second.
Baltimore in sight
Pressed high by the combative Norwegians, the French struggled more on the restart afterwards. Hervé Renard’s players were too far from each other to combine well. The active Baltimore then went alone to place a beautiful curling shot deflected by Mikalsen (24th) then another which flew just above the target (31st). A few moments before the break, Toletti thought he scored from close range by following a header from Le Sommer but she was offside (45th+1).
Toletti stood out again at the start of the second half. Served in an ideal position after a breakthrough by Le Sommer in the opposing area (49th), she nevertheless placed her shot above the target! The Blue attacked better but Mikalsen captured Henry’s attempt (56th) then diverted that of Grace Geyoro (67th).
Three amounts for France
Just before giving way to Vicki Becho (71st), Baltimore placed a nice shot on the left post of the Scandinavian goal (70th). By failing to capitalize on their opportunities, the French were almost surprised when Maren Mjelde anticipated Constance Picaud’s exit from a corner and placed a header next to the wide open cage (74th). Hervé Renard then changed his team to 4-4-2 and Mathilde Bourdieu made her debut for the French team (78th). If the Paris FC player did not shine, the Blues benefited from more presence in attack.
Diani, who came into play earlier, placed a header just off the target (82nd), Henry shot on the crossbar (84th) like Le Sommer (86th). Despite a total of 22 shots for 9 on target compared to only 2 out of 5 for Norway, France failed to find the fault. Obviously annoying as Austria, 2nd in the group, beat Portugal at the start of the evening (1-2). The Blues will, however, have the opportunity to validate their ticket for the Final Four of the competition on December 1 against the Austrians.