Renard replacements making mark for France in Euros

France vs. Germany

Date: Friday, 18 July, 20:00 BST Kickoff Location: St. Jacob-Park, Basel

Women’s football was shocked when Wendie Renard was cut from the France squad for Euro 2025.

After all, the 34-year-old center-back was the nation’s captain and had a wealth of experience, including 168 international caps and a highly distinguished club career with Lyon.

According to Syanie Dalmat, a reporter for French sports newspaper L’Equipe, “She is one of the best defenders in the world.”

She was always good on the pitch when she played, even if she had some injuries, so the decision was difficult to interpret.

Four centre-backs who had made 133 appearances for their country before the Euros were chosen by France manager Laurent Bonadei to replace Renard.

His strategy, however, appears to be working in Switzerland as France defeated Group D, which is widely thought to be the most difficult of the pool, to establish themselves as serious title contenders as they pursue their first major trophy.

In Renard’s absence, two 21-year-olds, Thiniba Samoura and Alice Sombath, have excelled and left their mark in the group stage despite injuries to Griedge Mbock and Maelle Lakrar, who are more experienced.

“It’s their first significant competition,” said the company, “and I think they did a great job.” I believe there is satisfaction in the defense, even if the French each conceded a goal in a game”, Dalmat said.

“Sombath against England was incredible. She’s a leader, a leader, and the future of the French football team, according to French football journalist Morgane Huguen. She’s very young, but she’s very calm.

She remained a tough maturity, Dalmat continued. Although she is still a young player, she appears to be the boss when playing in central defense.

Samoura, who played for Paris St-Germain as a centre-midfielder, right-back, and centre-back last season, has shown her ability to use her feet.

I possess both technical and athletic traits. I make an effort to cross the lines as well. In a news conference on Monday, Samoura outlined that is what I do best.

However, Bonadei has to make a decision against Germany given how unpredictable his team has been since taking over in October.

It is still unknown who will line up alongside her, but the France boss confirmed in his news conference on Friday that captain Mbock would indeed start.

France will need some experience, Dalmat predicted, “instead of a team like that.” Mbock and Lakrar have much, much more experience, and experience is crucial in a game like this, even if I believe Samoura and Sombath have done well.

After spending more than a month away with a calf injury, Mbock responded that she was “not scared” of coming back.

Germany has a lot of defensive issues to address, despite France’s “satisfaction” in the backline.

Giulia Gwinn, the eight-time champion, was left with a medial ligament injury in her left knee, which severely hampered her title hopes in their opening game against Poland.

In their final group game against Sweden, Christian Wuck’s side’s situation turned around after defeating Poland and Denmark.

Jule Brand’s opener was hero thanks to Carlotta Wamser’s excellent assist, but the right-back was sent off for denying Stina Blackstenius with a goalline block with her hand.

Sweden won the game-tying 4-1 victory thanks to the resulting penalty and extra-player advantage, which Germany were already 2-1 up at the time.

Boss Wuck will now have to deal with a significant defensive issue as they advance to their quarter-final without an obvious replacement for both their first choice and backup right-back.

Franziska Kett will likely make her tournament debut by lining up left-back with Sarai Linder moving to the right.