the Blues are subject to the law of Spain

The road to reconstruction is still long for the Blues. Still running out of trophies and losing attractiveness, the French women's team needs to prove itself. Only 13,500 spectators attended their last two matches: 5,500 on Saturday in Angers against Nigeria and barely 8,000 on Tuesday December 3 in Nice against Spain.

The reception of La Roja, reigning world champion, nevertheless constituted an ideal opportunity to seduce again. A missed opportunity for the players of coach Laurent Bonadei, who logically lost 4-2. The former assistant to Hervé Renard suffered his second defeat – after a first against Switzerland – in four matches on the French bench.

“We conceded four goals, it’s still a lothe reacted. We will have to improve the defensive aspect. We decided to take risks by pressing high. This left spaces. »

Better technically and more tactically mature, Spain repeatedly pierced the French defense. Seen last February, during the Nations League final in Seville (2-0 defeat), the gap between the two teams was not miraculously closed in a few months. “It was too easy for them in the first half, confirmed Wendie Renard. There are readjustments to be made. These are matches where we have to learn. We must continue to work. »

Faithful to his desire to rotate his squad as much as possible, Laurent Bonadei changed everything between the encouraging victory against Nigeria (2-1) and the first real poster of his mandate as coach. Only two starters were retained: captain, Wendie Renard, and midfielder Grace Geyoro.

Defensive fragility

From the outset, the Spaniard Marion Caldentey escapes behind Thiniba Samoura and sends a cross taken at close range by Aitana Bonmati (6^e1-0). The double Barcelona Ballon d'Or had already opened the scoring in the previous match between the two teams.

Then, a deviation from the Spanish head allowed Caldentey to advance almost unopposed in the Blue rearguard. The Arsenal player passes the ball to Claudia Pina, who crosses her shot to the right of Constance Picaud (23^e2-0). Beaten, the French goalkeeper had anticipated too much on the other side.

Against a Roja diminished by major absences (Irene Paredes, Salma Parraluelo, Jennifer Hermoso or Alexia Putellas), Bonadei's players had the merit of reacting after a difficult first half hour. “We are surprised from the start of the matchhe analyzed at half-time. We reacted and came back to the score. The girls didn't give up, they didn't give up and they stayed in their game. This is already a positive sign. »

Exhilarated, the French team finally imposes a balance of power on its opponent. In difficulty in front of the French pressing, La Roja shows that it is also fallible. On a cross from Lyonnaise Vicki Becho, central defender Maria Mendez misses her clearance and deceives her own goalkeeper with her knee (37^e2-1).

In the process, Adriana Nanclares is very happy to see Sakina Karchaoui's recovery miss her goal. Served behind by Sandy Baltimore, the Parisian comes close to equalizing (40^e).

But the second period does not confirm this new momentum. Conversely, the Spanish regained control of the game and created the best opportunities. Constance Picaud briefly avoids the third goal by diverting a powerful shot from Teresa Abelleira (52^e). She can do nothing about a beautiful collective action concluded by a perfect cross from the side Ona Battle, taken victoriously by the attacker Lucia Garcia (60^e3-1).

Like their fleeting reaction during the first period, Wendie Renard's teammates manage to create an illusion. On a blocked shot from Melvine Malard, who entered the game, Kadiditaou Diani appeared to reduce the score with a header (71^e3-2).

“It’s always disappointing to end in defeat”

We then think the Blues are capable of getting back into the game. But a hand from Kenza Dali puts an end to French hopes. Mariona Caldentey is responsible for transforming the penalty (81^e4-2). Laurent Bonadei then made several changes, notably bringing in Delphine Cascarino, Selma Bacha and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. This doesn't change the result. “Like during the first gathering [en octobre]it's always disappointing to end in defeat. We will have to improve from a tactical point of view »analyzed the coach.

Less dominant than in 2023, the Spanish are showing that they remain one of the best nations in the world despite a disappointing fourth place this summer during the Olympic tournament. “Spain is a team with a lot of strength, which has very good results… It would be disrespectful to them to say that they are weakened”predicted Laurent Bonadei before the meeting. The Spanish footballers have a second consecutive success. Friday, after four matches without a victory, they had outclassed South Korea (5-0).

The France team will be back at the start of next year, for two Nations League matches (February 21 against Norway and February 25 against Iceland). Until then, the Blue coach planned “to take stock of these four meetings” and of “think about the system to adopt”. Time is running out, his team is playing Euro 2025 from July 2.