Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 18th round of 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season. Plus, an update on France’s national team (3/4/23)
Above: Hervé Renard (center) with Laurent Bonadéi (left) and David Ducci (right). Photo: Antonio Mesa / FFF.
News from France’s national squad
France have announced their new head coach, Hervé Renard. Renard, 54 years old, is one of the best French coaches. Until now, he has only worked with men’s teams, but with very good results: He won two African Cup of Nations with two different countries (Zambia in 2012, Ivory Coast in 2015) and beat Argentina with the Saudi Arabian squad at the 2022 World Cup.
His first list of players for the friendly games to prepare for theWorld Cup reveal a few surprises: Wendie Renard is back in the team after she fell out against Corinne Diacre, as well as Eugénie Le Sommer (who was not selected in the group for Euro 2022) and Léa Le Garrec from Fleury (who hadn’t been selected since November 24th 2017). To be noted too, the return of Amel Majri after giving birth last year.
The full squad for the friendly games against Colombia (Clermont-Ferrand, April 7, 2023) and Canada (Le Mans, April 11, 2023):
Goalkeepers: Mylène Chavas (Bordeaux), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus Torino, Italie), Constance Picaud (Paris SG).
Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United, England), Hawa Cissoko (West Ham, England), Elisa De Almeida (Paris SG), Magou Doucouré (Reims), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris SG), Maëlle Lakrar (Montpellier), Eve Périsset (Chelsea, England), Wendie Renard (Lyon).
Midfielders: Kenza Dali (Aston Villa, England), Laurina Fazer (Paris SG), Grace Geyoro (Paris SG), Oriane Jean-François (Paris SG), Léa Le Garrec (Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid, Spain).
Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (West Ham, England), Sandy Baltimore (Paris SG), Kessya Busy (Reims), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Eugénie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Matéo (Paris FC), Ouleymata Sarr (Paris FC).
D1 Arkema Round-Up Week 18
Rodez 1-2 Reims
In an even encounter, Reims were more efficient and consolidated their sixth place in the table with this win. They can even hope to look at the fifth place as they are only two points behind Montpellier. Rodez are still in the fight with Dijon for the tenth place to stay in D1 Arkema next season, but remain a point in areers. Goal for Rodez from Alexandria Lamontagne (19). Goals for Reims from Kethna Louis (10), Kessya Busy (75).
Paris FC 2-2 Guingamp
Paris FC dominated the match but, again, they were not efficient enough to win; with 28 shots against 10 for Guingamp they should have scored more than two goals. With this second draw in a row, they let Fleury reduce the gap to three points; the race for 3rd place and the qualifying spot it offers for the UEFA Women’s Champions League is far from settled. Goals for Paris FC from Clara Matéo (44), Mathilde Bourdieu (78). Goals for Guingamp from Sarah Cambot (18), Anissa Lahmari (59 penalty).
Fleury 1-0 Dijon
Fleury dominated this match and deserved their win. They could have led the game by two goals if the beautiful freekick from Léa Le Garrec (who was selected for France’s squad for the first time since 24th November 2017) did not end up coming back off the right post at the 49th minute. However, Manon Heil’s failure to grasp a corner two minutes from time could have allowed Dijon to obtain a draw. This is a very good result for Fleury that reduces the gap between themselves and Paris FC to three points gives them renewed hope of winning the race for the third qualifying spot for the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season. Red card: Kysha Sylla, Dijon (81). Goal for Fleury Julie Piga (4).
Soyaux 1-5 Montpellier
Montpellier won this game comprehensively. Soyaux continued to lose and will probably go down to D2 next season. Goals for Montpellier from Lena Petermann (30), Dominika Skorvankova (39), Nérilia Mondésir (60, 72), Charlotte Bilbault (81 penalty). Goal for Soyaux from Fadimatou Aretouyap (46).
Le Havre 0-7 Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon, after their disappointment in the Champions League, being eliminated by Chelsea in midweek at the Quarter-Final stage, demolished Le Havre, scoring seven times. Lyon dominated the match with almost 70% of possession, and Le Havre only had four shots during all match. Goals for Lyon from Romane Enguehard (10 Own Goal), Janice Cayman (14), Damaris Egurrola (32), Signe Bruun (41), Sara Däbritz (63), Ada Hegerberg (68), Inès Benyahia (70).
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Bordeaux
Paris St. Germain were dominant, recording almost 70% of possession, but despite this it was a sterile match. It took them until 10 minutes into the second period to score their only goal. The absence of Kadidiatou Diani, who fractured her collarbone in the team’s midweek Champions League defeat to VfL Wolfsburg match, was detrimental to PSG’s efficiency in attack. Goal for Paris SG from Aissatou Traoré (55).
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