France Faces Tough Test Against Morocco in Women’s World Cup Round of 16

"We have prepared the match by scouting our opponent for a long time. A perfect job has been done. Now we just have to get this qualification on the pitch. As for me, I have wonderful memories of my time in Morocco (editor’s note, coach of the Atlas Lions from 2016 to 2019). Now, let’s play football. Even when we have a small game between friends, we do it to win. We’re here to qualify," said Hervé Renard in an interview with L’Équipe.

The Bleues are ready for this match, assures the French coach. "Overall, everything is fine. Maëlle Lakrar had a small alert on a small slip. We managed it a bit like with Wendie (Renard), it’s her who will decide today, according to her feelings, tomorrow morning, if she is able to participate in this match or not. [...] Everyone is ready for this important match. Grace trained normally yesterday, at 100%. She will be there. She is an indispensable player for this French team, for her experience, for her qualities of penetration, in recovery," he explained.

Hervé Renard considers the Atlas Lionesses as a serious opponent and insists on the preparation of this decisive match. "When you qualify for a round of 16, you have a lot of quality, the Moroccan team is not there by chance. It’s up to us to prepare well and to make sure we qualify for the next round," said the French coach, who hopes to win this duel against his compatriot Reynald Pedros, coach of the Moroccan players. "Only one Frenchman will remain for the quarter-finals, I hope it will be me," he concluded.