“May the party be great” – France’s footballers look ahead to their World Cup quarter-final against co-host Australia on Saturday (12 August 2023, 9 am CEST, live ticker and audio stream at sportschau.de). They want to put a real damper on the party atmosphere in the fifth continent.
Footballers from France and Australia last met four weeks ago. Australia and superstar Sam Kerr won 1-0 in the final Test match between the two teams before the World Cup. There will be a rematch on Saturday. The world’s fifth ranked first match against the tenth ranked from Europe”below“It is nothing less than reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Le Sommer: “I hope the magic continues”
France coach Herve Renard says the defeat in Melbourne on July 14 is not a problem for his team. Instead: “Now we know better what to expect.” This is especially true for the setting. In the Test match, 50,000 rabid fans cheered on the “Matildas” of Australia. The atmosphere will heat up even further in Saturday’s quarter-final in Brisbane.
“We love these games”Striker Eugenie Le Sommer looks forward to the fightback from Champions League record winners Lyon. “These are magical moments. I hope the magic continues.”He said at a press conference on Friday (August 11, 2023).
Coach Renard: “Not just against one team, but against the whole country”
“We love it”Renard also takes the primary positives from the game in an expected 50,000-viewer cauldron: “I said before the Brazil game that there are 98 percent Brazilians in the stadium and they will make a lot of noise, and that didn’t stop us.” Everyone knows that France won 2-1 against Brazil. But the Australia game makes a difference: “We’re not just playing against one team, we’re playing against the whole country.”
France coach Renard: “We are playing against the whole country.”
France captain Wendy Renard added: “Of course we want the crowd to be there for us. But on the other hand: if the audience is there for you, you have to deal with the pressure first.”
Playing strength versus physical strength
The strong French women should prepare for a physically determined team and shift the football away from their co-hosts. Decisive for the second semi-final”Les Blues” To be the leader, Le Sommer and Renard agree: “It will be concentration”Coach Renard, who has been in charge since April and suffered the French team’s only defeat in a Test against Australia, said: “You can go home in one action. Experience, self-control, concentration are important to overcome these games.”
All French women are suitable
Goalscorer Lee Sommer, who has already netted three times in his three World Cup appearances so far, knows: “Mentally we’re ready tomorrow. That’s going to be important.”
In terms of personnel, coach Renard has a lot to pull from, with two recently injured defenders Selma Bacha and Malle Lager also declared fit before the quarter-finals.
Le Sommer: “Finally Bring Something Home”
The French are looking to pave the way for a medal in 2023 after finishing fourth at the 2011 World Cup: “We’ve had the best teams for a long time. We’re in the top 5, but we’ve never won anything, no medals, no trophies.”Le Sommer says and promises: “We want to finally bring something home with us.”
Renard: “The Taste of the Unfinished”
“Let’s have a great party tomorrow”says Coach Renard happily. And adds me with a smile: “With an unfinished taste for Australia.”
Facts about the Australia vs France game
– Matches against each other: 8 (4 wins Australia, 3 wins France, 1 draw)
– FIFA Ranking: Australia Rank 10 / France Rank 5
– Fun fact: The last time a World Cup host nation advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals was in 2003. America was third at that time.
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