France hoped to create a surprise against Spain, but it suffered the law of the reigning world champions in Nice on Tuesday evening. Beaten 4 goals to 2, the French paid for their lack of aggressiveness and their naivety in defense against the ultra realistic and efficient Spaniards.
Unlike their last opposition ten months ago, the Blues, without Katoto or Cascarino returning at the end of the match, weighed more heavily and hampered the teammates of the Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati but their year ended as it had started : after the lost Nations League final against the Spanish (2-0) in February.
Spain takes advantage of Les Bleues' lack of aggressiveness
The Spaniards were however deprived of several managers (Putellas, Paredes, Hermoso, Paralluelo) and remained in four matches without a victory. They hurt with their individual talent and their intelligence of play as soon as they accelerated, and took advantage of the French defensive feverishness.
From the 6th minute, Bonmati easily broke through the French defense to take a cross from Mariona Caldentey and deceive the new N.1 goalkeeper of the Bleues Constance Picaud. The goalkeeper, preferred to Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, was at fault on the second goal by very poorly anticipating a powerless and harmless strike from Claudia Pina (23rd), and was unable to do anything about the penalty conceded by Kenza Dali, guilty of 'a hand in the area (4-2, 81st).
Finally, on the third goal and thanks to well-timed passes and a good reading of the game, Lucia Garcia concluded a long sequence of possession (60th).
Diani decisive
The French, organized in 3-4-3, the new system put in place by Laurent Bonadei, implemented high and often aggressive pressing to prevent the Spanish passing game. Before half-time, the decline of the Roja allowed the French team to react by reducing the score thanks to a goal against their Spanish camp on a cross from Vicki Becho (37th).
At the heart of a well-contested second act, Kadidiatou Diani, aligned at the forefront of the attack, concluded a great French action (3-2, 71st) before hitting too weakly alone in front of the goal (83rd).
“We lacked efficiency”
“We conceded four goals, so we will have to improve the defensive aspect. We decided to take risks, to press high, so obviously that left some space, admitted Laurent Bonadei at the microphone of France Télévisions after the meeting. Unfortunately the scenario of the match was not favorable to us. We lacked a little efficiency offensively on the few opportunities we had. But in their state of mind the players gave everything. It will be time to take stock and see what system we will adopt for the recovery.”
Laurent Bonadei's players conclude their international break with a defeat, after their short success against Nigeria on Sunday, but also lost for the second time in four matches under their new coach. They will now wait until December 16, the date of the draw for the Euro-2025 groups in Switzerland. Before that, a new League of Nations will begin in February.
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