If the Bleuets needed to gauge the excitement before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it was done this Thursday evening in Bayonne after the great victory against Paraguay (4-1). The selection led by Thierry Henry delighted the Basque public for its first preparation match. The 1998 world champion is pleased and compliments his players for the evening’s performance, including the reserves designated the day before.
Paraguay was very aggressive. Is that what you were hoping for in this match?
THIERRY HENRY. Exactly. That’s what we expected and we wanted to see where we were in terms of physicality. Especially against a team that has already played, started its preparation. We knew that they were direct, combative. We gave away chances in the first half. But I had spoken about the importance of content before the match. I found things that we prepared.
Did you particularly like the attacking trio Olise-Mateta-Lacazette?
Yes. But before answering this question, I would like to talk about what happened for the four reserves. Three were starters (Diouf, Ugochukwu and Matsima) and the match they delivered tonight, we must congratulate them. I also congratulate the staff, because physically, we were not bad! To come back to the question, yes. We try to give ourselves a chance to be able to combine quickly in front. On the first goal, Alex (Lacazette) attracts the defense, Jean-Philippe (Mateta) is forgotten and Michael (Olise) makes the right choice. There were many situations that we had worked on. We have to stay serious, redouble the passes. Sometimes, we were countered. But I am satisfied. The result is important but it is only a friendly. It is just a preparation match. Nobody got injured, that is super important too.
What did you think of the performance of your captain, Alexandre Lacazette?
He speaks, he puts his foot in, he starts pressing, he recovers a ball, he took the depth, he could have scored. Yes, there you go, a role of captain, of leader. I want to talk about Jean-Philippe (Mateta) too. He is not the center forward that everyone expects. But he keeps the ball, knows how to move, he finishes. Alex was lord, because he has to take the penalty and leaves him for the double.
What did you think of the atmosphere in Bayonne?
Extraordinary. Especially when you play against a low block, it’s a real job. We made a mistake but the crowd always supported the team. It’s not easy. People were patient like us. If it starts to shout a little… It’s not the same. In terms of encouragement, what’s happening around, it’s extraordinary. I’m happy, really happy with the reception.
Are you also satisfied with the new players (Doué, Kalimuendo, Truffert, etc.)?
They are competing to see who gets to start. But once again, I come back to the reserves. The three guys came on the field and played their hearts out. The group is doing well, once again. We will have to be ready and put in the same performances during the tournament.
