France vs. Brazil
Tactics lovers should be in for a real treat as two legendary managers square off in the second kickoff of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup’s 10th match-day. France’s Herve Renard leads a French team that only secured one point in their opening group stage fixture against Jamaica. Renard’s “Les Bleus Feminine” face Pia Sundhage’s surging “A Seleçao Feminina” (4-0 winners over Panama) in a riveting Group F encounter.
The French eliminated Brazil in the 2019 WWC round-of-16 via a 2-1 victory. Brazilian legend Marta memorably gave an emotional post-match interview following the loss which many assumed constituted her farewell address. The 37-year-old nevertheless still remains a force off the bench on a re-tooled national team that may well be the most promising side since the 2007 team that cruised to the Final.
So many questions surround this tie.
Answers shall come soon.
France
A great many female footballing enthusiasts warmly welcomed the FFF’s decision to switch coaches earlier this Spring. The ceaseless soap opera associated with the Corinne Diacré regime drew far too much attention away from the amazing female footballing talent this country has to offer. News that beloved – especially for African footballing fans – French coach Hervé Renard would take over was widely considered to be a much-needed breath of fresh air. Off-the-pitch controversies still haunt this tournament, but at least we’ve been spared one.
Renard nevertheless entered the tournament with scant time, only four friendlies, to put his stamp on this team. His squad also got hit hard by injuries. Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto got hurt before the tournament. Just as we were preparing to welcome back former captain Amandine Henry back, she too had to be struck from the roster. Selma Bacha couldn’t partake in the first match and talisman Wendie Renard is questionable for the second. Tragedy seems to follow the French whether they invite it or not.
Long-time French enthusiasts did get a chance to see Eugenie Le Sommer start once again in the opening group stage match against Jamaica. Another one of Diacre’s exiles, Viviane Asseyi, made Renard’s bench squad but did not feature. Renard’s initial constellation appeared to be a rather straightforward 4-4-2, though Kadidiatou Diani often operated further afield than partner Le Sommer. Introductions of Kenza Dali and very intriguing newcomer Vicki Becho rendered the shape more menacing as everyone poured forward.
Lineup—France—Match One (4-4-2)
Jamaica’s “Reggae Girlz” made the French midfielders work exceptionally hard during the opening 45. Possession changes in the middle third frequently dragged on for very long stretches. Last Summer’s sensation Grace Geyoro couldn’t peel off a single long-run and lost half of her direct duels. Sandie Toletti enjoyed some more success going forward, yet she too seemed bogged down in the trenches. Renard may actually wish to take a page from Diacre’s playbook and introduce a third midfielder in order to unshackle some of his better players. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have Charlotte Bilbault.
A midfield way-station would mean having to sacrifice either Majri or Mateo, both of whom got some useful balls into Diani. The French had long managed to picked the Jamaican lock before Dali and Becho were introduced. Diani had no luck on the day with several misses, including one in injury time that hit the crossbar and the post. The attack remains thin with the likes of Ouleymata Sarr, Sandy Baltimore, and Melvie Malard all left behind. Renard probably won’t change his strikers as he’ll want to keep her as a wild-card off the bench. Renard’s loss can likely only be weathered if Bacha gets passed fit in time.
Brazil
In charge of a women’s team for the first time in his long and storied career, Renard faces a tough challenge in the form of his opposite member Pia Sundhage. The former USWNT and Sweden manager took the team through an undefeated run to the continental championship this year before taking the England women to penalties in the CONMEBOL-UEFA Finalissima in London. The 2023 SheBelieves campaign wasn’t particularly great, yet the Samba Queens still humbled the Germans with a 2-1 in Nürnberg this past April.
Sundhage also lined up her selection in a 4-4-2.
Lineup—Brazil—Match One (4-4-2)
Many new faces and names to grow accustomed to here even for the devoted female footballing fans among us. Apart from Debinha and Tamires, there aren’t any holdovers from the 2019 tournament. Rafaelle and Adriana were available for that competition, yet missed out because of injury. This group of NWSL stars could have easily gone up 4-0 against opponents Panama inside of the first 15 minutes. As it turned out, they settled for the most dominant performance of the first round outside of Germany.
Current Golden-Boot leader Ary Borges completed a hat trick and added an assist. The very exciting Geyse impressed off the bench, as did the fabled Marta. The A Seleçao Feminina player not getting her name on the scoresheet that impressed most had to be Kerolin. Some midfield pressing engine the North Carolina Courage professional is. Wow. She passes, battles, and dribbles with amazing flair. Skipper Rafaelle was also exceptional carrying out of the back.
Much like with the German result, drawing grand conclusions from the 4-0 opener can prove difficult. The Samba Queens exerted such relentless dominance. Sundhage’s players entered the competition having easily dispatched Chile by the same scoreline. Tournament debutants Panama, meanwhile, endured humbling blankings at the hands of Japan and Spain. The match quickly got out of their control. One looks forward to seeing what transpires against a fellow powerhouse.