Little by little, Clara Matéo is making her mark in the French team. Against Cameroon (4-0) then Vietnam (7-0), the usual 24-year-old striker started as a midfielder and shone. Even if the adversity encountered during these preparation matches has nothing to do with that which awaits Corinne Deacon’s team during the Euro in England.
The Paris FC player scored her second goal with Les Bleues and signed an assist on Friday in Orléans against the Vietnamese, for her 12th selection. What to approach inflated to block the first group match against Italy, Sunday in Roterham.
The native of Nantes, who arrived in the Paris region in 2016 from La Roche-sur-Yon, hopes to return to France with a trophy which would be the first for the women’s selection in a major competition. She could then find her daily life, almost unique at a very high level, shared between football and her job as an engineer.
Corinne Deacon was clear when she announced the group of 23 players for the Euro. She made an appointment at Wembley for the final, in order to try to finally win a title. Do you hear about it every day?
No. We all know what we have to do. We are focused on preparing to be ready on D-Day. We are not going to cut corners. Our goal is to go all the way, we all have that in the back of our minds.
For several years, the French team has been ranked among the best teams in the world (it is currently 3rd). Despite everything, she has never won any major competitions and has never even exceeded quarters of a Euro…
Yes, what we lack is a title. We know the road will be long. All teams will want to lift this Cup. But we have very good players, a united group. We have everything to succeed.
How do you view the opponents of the first round?
It’s going to be interesting, with teams with different game profiles from each other. Iceland, for example, will be a match with a little more fighting spirit in the duels. Belgium and Italy are on the other hand selections in clear progression. This is normal because women’s football is developing, in France as elsewhere.
There’s been a lot of talk about women’s football this season, but not just on the pitch. What is the atmosphere in the group?
As I said before, we are a great group of players, we all get along very well off the pitch. It only remains to show that this atmosphere is felt in matches.
There are two giants in French women’s football, OL and PSG. What happens when you arrive in Blue and come from another club?
Very well. I was immediately very well integrated. There are quite a few girls that I had already met in youth selections. And then, I’ve been playing in D1 for a few years, so I’m used to meeting the players every weekend.
In the D1 typical team of the season, you are the only one not playing PSG or OL. Is it pride?
Yes, of course. This rewards a very good season for Paris FC (third in the championship). I was able to contribute to it thanks to my performances but without my teammates, I would be nothing. It’s my name that stands out but it’s really the collective that has won throughout the year.
You have already won a Euro with the U19s and played in a World Cup final with the U20s, both times in 2016. What do you expect from this first final phase with the A’s?
I had the opportunity to be European champion among young people, but the level in A is quite different. I want to keep gaining experience. I’m relatively versatile so it doesn’t matter what role I can be given, whether I’m a regular or will be returning. I will play my card thoroughly, so that the collective goes to the end.
You are multi-active, an engineer at Arkema. Have you taken time off to prepare for and compete in the Euro?
I have a 40% contract with Arkema. It really is a relationship of trust. It is very flexible and adapted to my double project. The idea is that during high sporting times, we are on low professional times, and vice versa. My colleagues are fully behind me, I had a lot of discussions with them. At such times, they are the ones who take over my various projects or files.
What is your exact activity?
My job title is “business developer” in the sports, “eyewear” – glasses – and luxury market. My company (also sponsor of the women’s D1) is a chemical company which supplies the raw material to various customers. I will accompany them in their research for a specific need. For example, in football boots as in “running” shoes, we will find Arkema materials in the soles. The end customers are very big brands and materials can be found in all everyday objects.
Are you the only pluriactive member of the France team? And in a club?
In the France team, yes. But not in a club. Paris FC precisely encourages players to do something besides football. Quite a few are still students and others are working. The idea, it is all the same to be able to be successful on the sporting level, so that there is an arrangement to allow the practice of football.
Have you ever had trouble balancing sport and studies and then work?
Of course, there have been more difficult times. But I was always well surrounded, even during my studies. Throughout my schooling, we always understood my double project. I managed to validate everything, to follow the normal course, but I would have had the possibility of spreading out my years. We have always tried to find solutions to arrange my schedule as well as possible.
What studies have you followed?
After my baccalaureate, I did a DUT in materials science and engineering over two years, then I joined an engineering school in Orsay (Essonne) for three years.
Would you like to go completely pro for a few years before returning to your job as an engineer?
The idea is that once my sports career is over, I devote myself 100% to my job. But today, I consider myself a full-time professional. Only, in my free time, rather than watching a series – even if I do sometimes – I go to work. I optimize the time. I have found a balance. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The post-career for me is important, and this situation allows me to be well in the head.