Latest news with #HerveRenard
New York Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Euro 2025: France team guide – will drastic changes transform their fortunes?
France — always in the mix in the major tournaments of the women's game, yet still without a trophy. As the 2019 World Cup's hosts, they lost to eventual champions the United States in the quarter-finals and failed to build a legacy from that tournament. Corinne Diacre managed them to a Euro 2022 semi-final but was sacked the following March after the French Football Federation (FFF) said the 'fracture' between players and hierarchy seemed 'irreversible'. Herve Renard brought fresh hope, but left his post last summer after back-to-back quarter-final exits from the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, which were also staged in France. Laurent Bonadei, who has previously Renard's assistant, is a man prepared to shake things up, having chosen not to select French legends Wendie Renard (168 caps) and Eugenie Le Sommer (200) for Euro 2025. More on that below. The 55-year-old stepped up to the top job following the Olympics in August, signing a contract until 2027, with France's FA saying it wanted a coach familiar with the French national team and women's football. This is his first senior managerial position, having worked under Renard with the Saudi Arabia men's national team and then France's women. He previously coached youth and reserve sides in the men's game at Paris Saint-Germain and Nice respectively. Now, his aim is delivering major-tournament success for his country. France set up most often in a 4-3-3 but can also play with a back three. Bonadei wants them to be comfortable in both systems. At times, Sandie Toletti drops deeper as the single 'pivot' (holding midfielder), with creative players Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui pushing forward as the two 'No 8s' (central midfielders). Advertisement With the speed of Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore and the support of full-backs, France can press aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch and launch quick and direct counter-attacks. There is also more pace in the new centre-back partnership of Griedge Mbock and Maelle Lakrar. France use their width well, especially on the left with Selma Bacha, a front-footed full-back, and Karchaoui, who puts in teasing crosses. They have occasionally lacked efficiency in front of goal, though. Add Baltimore, who is coming off a standout debut season at Chelsea, to the dynamic duo of Bacha and Karchaoui, and you have a terrifying trio on the left side. Away from the flair, Paris Saint-Germain captain Geyoro is key to maintaining control in midfield and linking play. Keep an eye on striker Katoto, who was the top scorer at last summer's Olympics, scoring five goals even as her team only won two of their four games. Consecutive quarter-final exits at the World Cup and the Olympics (making it eight defeats at that stage of tournaments for France's women since 2009) raise the question: can they handle the pressure? Despite an abundance of talent, the French have consistently failed to get the job done. New captain Mbock must create a collective greater than the sum of its parts. Oh, yes! Bonadei surprisingly omitted former captain Renard, France women's all-time top goalscorer Le Sommer and San Diego Wave's Kenza Dali even before their Nations League games a month ago against Switzerland and Iceland. These 'historic' players, in the coach's words, have 444 caps between them. 'As Einstein said, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result',' Bonadei told a news conference in May. 'I want different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection.' After a disappointing performance at their home Olympics under Renard, Bonadei kicked off his tenure with some patchy results: two wins and two defeats, with eight goals scored but seven conceded, including a 4-2 loss to world champions Spain. Since the turn of the year, they have performed very well, winning all six of their Nations League matches. France conceded just two goals and topped their group, qualifying for a semi-final against Germany in October with two games to spare. The absences of Renard, Le Sommer and Dali did not seem to rock the boat, and there have been convincing wins in the run-up to the tournament, albeit against a mixed standard of opposition — Switzerland (4-0), Iceland (2-0), Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2). When Renard was appointed, he and the FFF agreed on two key objectives: to reach at least the semi-finals at the 2023 World Cup and last year's Paris-hosted Olympics. Neither happened. This time around the FFF has avoided setting such ambitions and Bonadei has even called his team outsiders, all with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. Of course, both parties would love to win but realistically reaching the semi-finals would meet expectations. They face stern opposition in their group: reigning champions England await in the opening game, while their third and final match against the Netherlands could prove crucial to their hopes of progressing to the knockouts. Wales will hardly roll over in the middle game, either. Katoto has had rotten luck with major tournaments. The Paris Saint-Germain No 9 was not selected for the 2019 World Cup despite finishing as the French top flight's leading goalscorer the previous season, then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in the second group game at Euro 2022 and did not recover from it in time to play in the World Cup a year later.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch Mexico vs Saudi Arabia live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
Mexico's bid to repeat as CONCACAF Gold Cup champions hits a non-CONCACAF road block on Saturday when tournament invitee Saudi Arabia hits Glendale, Arizona. El Tri won Group A with two wins and a scoreless draw against Costa Rica, while Saudi Arabia beat Haiti and lost to the United States before drawing with Trinidad and Tobago to secure a place in the knockout rounds. Advertisement Mexico are also bidding to become the first 10-time winner of the Gold Cup. For live updates and highlights throughout Mexico vs Saudi Arabia, check out PST's live blog coverage below. How to watch Mexico vs Saudi Arabia live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 10:!5pm ET, Sunday How to watch: FS1, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app Mexico team news, focus Cesar Montes has been terrific at both ends for El Tri, scoring thrice and overseeing a team which has not allowed a goal since conceding twice in a 3-2 tournament-opening win. West Ham United's Edson Alvarez leads a strong midfield, and Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez give Javier Aguirre plenty of danger up top Saudi Arabia team news, focus The Saudis have only conceded two goals in this tournament, a record bettered only by the USMNT and Canada. They've defended with vigor, racking up hard tackles and clearances as a measure of pride. Al Ittihad back Abdulelah Al Amri has been a standout for the Herve Renard's Green Falcons, but they'll have to find goals to advance in this tournament. Mexico vs Saudi Arabia prediction It's difficult to do this, but do it — forget the fact that the Saudis beat Argentina at the 2024 World Cup. If you're not willing to forget that result, which was three years ago, think of it as the first match of a 2W-9L-1D run that included losses to Oman and Bolivia. Arizona is going to be a veritable home atmosphere for El Tri, who would be favored on a neutral ground, and the Saudis are missing their Al-Hilal representation (12 different Al-Hilal players have been called up in the next 12 months). This would be a stunner if it didn't go the way of Javier Aguirre's El Tri. Mexico 2-0 Saudi Arabia.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona
RIYADH: The Saudi football national team resumed training today in San Diego as preparations intensify for their upcoming quarterfinal match against Mexico in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who started in the recent match against Trinidad and Tobago. They underwent recovery exercises at the fitness center. The second group, consisting of the remaining players, held their training session at San Diego Wave facilities. The session began with warm-ups, followed by possession training, finishing exercises, and concluded with stretching routines. In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad returned to full training with the group. The national team will continue its preparations with a closed training session scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. (San Diego time) at the Performance Center training grounds.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico
SAN DIEGO: The Saudi Arabian national football team touched down in San Diego on Tuesday morning as they prepare for their high-stakes CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown against Mexico on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage in a debut Gold Cup campaign that has seen them reach the knockout rounds at the first time of asking. Herve Renard's side finished second in Group D behind hosts the US, having secured crucial results including a pivotal draw against Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend. The upcoming clash with Group A winners Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is expected to draw a large crowd. Upon arrival in San Diego, Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city. The team is scheduled to reconvene at their training base later on Tuesday evening. Preparations for the quarterfinal will intensify on Wednesday, with a closed training session planned for 6:00 p.m. local time. Saudi Arabia, invited as a guest nation for this edition of the Gold Cup, now seek to upset nine-time champions Mexico in their pursuit of an unprecedented semifinal berth.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia conclude preparations ahead of decisive Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago
LAS VEGAS: Saudi Arabia's national football team have completed final preparations ahead of their crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago on Monday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Green Falcons trained at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the match — which kicks off in the early hours of the morning in Saudi Arabia — will be played. The training session was led by head coach Herve Renard, while midfielder Muhannad Al-Saad continued his rehabilitation program under the supervision of the team's medical staff. Saudi Arabia sit second in Group D, having lost narrowly to the US and beaten Haiti in their previous matches. A win against Trinidad and Tobago would guarantee the Green Falcons a place in the knockout stage. A draw could still be enough to progress, but only if Haiti fail to upset group leaders US in the other final-round fixture.
