Valenciennes FC’s captain and Les Bleuets’ central defender shows determination before quarterfinal match against England in Euro 2023.

The central defender of Valenciennes FC and captain of Les Bleuets shows the determination of the group before meeting England in the quarter-finals of the Euro, this Saturday May 27 in Hungary.

“How do you explain this contrasting first round with a victory, a defeat and a draw?
The opponents have increased their level, as have we. We mastered the first game well against Scotland and we logically won it (3-1). In the second, we lead 1-0 at half-time, we have ten minutes less well and we concede three goals during this weak time (1-3). But we were able to show a good image of France against Germany: we fought until the end, we didn’t give up, we pushed until the end to reduce the score, even equalize, having the opportunities.

And the draw against Portugal?
The third was more complicated, mentally different knowing that we passed with a draw. We score first and we are caught before half-time (1-1). The second period is therefore not the same, especially for us, defenders, and the midfielders. We all say to ourselves: “First, we don’t concede and then we can try to score”. Because if we concede a goal, we leave the Euro. We were all aware of it and we were able to adapt our game. You have to be mature in this kind of competition to be able to do it and we have succeeded in doing so for the moment. It must continue like this.

Regulator of the defense against Portugal (photo Peter KOVACS/UEFA).

The tension was such that the two coaches even received a yellow…
It’s normal, we don’t play a final phase of a Euro every day. We have been preparing for it for two years, it is logical that the tension is rising, including among the coaches. The staff has been giving their all for us for two years, preparing the videos, the training sessions… They make everything available to us so that we can have a good competition, it’s normal for them to be stressed too. It even makes me happy because we see that the coach is in it, that he lives things like us. But it didn’t go very far, they checked each other at the end of the match, we saw that it was in the game and in respect.

In what state of mind do you approach this quarter-final?
We didn’t prepare differently but we know it will be different because it’s a knockout match: if you lose, you leave the competition. We are all ready to take up this challenge and defend our colors as it should. It will be special, with intensity, tension on the benches as on the ground. Both teams will want to win, neither will want to go home right now. This is what will make the madness of this match, which we hope to win.

We are young but we try to proudly represent these colors. We want to show the strength of character of France, that we are a big footballing nation and capable of winning titles.

Joachim Kayi Sanda

What do you fear from England, your opponent in the quarters?
We are not afraid of anything because we also have our strengths and we are ready. It’s a good team, physical, comfortable in transitions, with a fairly strong midfielder. We have our own qualities. The main ? We know how to keep our game plan and, at the same time, adapt to the opponent and the context of the match. We’re mature enough to know that when we’re going to play against an opponent who’s going to try to counter us, we’re not going to fall into the cracks he’s trying to cause. The group is also very united, we all get along very well. We are in any case ready to fight to go to the semi-finals and qualify for the World Cup.

Which captain are you? Rather directive?
I try to say things at the right time, to motivate the players and above all to be exemplary outside and on the pitch, to set a good example. So yes, I’m a bit directive in the game, you can hear me screaming a bit but that’s normal because I live things to the fullest. We have to in the European Championship, otherwise it’s not worth coming. I am fully in my role, I help everyone a little in all the tasks. As a central defender, we see everything in front of us and we have to give instructions. But if it is necessary to go up to help the others to attack, I will do it, I will not calculate my efforts. Before matches, I always tell my teammates that we fight for each other. It is the most important.

Always quick to congratulate his teammates (photo Peter KOVACS/UEFA).

That France is title holder, is it a weight?
It is above all a path to follow, not at all a burden but an additional motivation. We all want to imitate our elders, we are all aware of our qualities and we are all ready to take up this challenge, which we know is very big. We came for that, we give our all every day so that France wins this Euro two years in a row. Four members of our staff won it last year (physical trainer Yoan Deloze, doctor Étienne James-Belin, physiotherapist François Benatoui and video analyst Théo Bernard)the coach (Jean-Luc Vannuchi) was there as an observer: they know the victory and we are very attentive to them, ready to give everything.

Have you been able to follow the course of the U17 women?
I could, a little, I saw that they won 10-2 against Switzerland in the semi-finals. I encourage them and on behalf of the group, I give them all our strength so that they win this final. It’s great what they do! I don’t think they lost a game (three wins and one draw). Winning with such a score in the semi-finals sends a strong message. If we have the opportunity to see their final, we will not miss it and we will support them from where we are. If they win and then we do too, that would be amazing for the Federation. We are young but we try to proudly represent these colors. The A’s did very well in December in the World Cup, although they unfortunately lost in the final. But they fought until the end: to come back to 3-3 and go to penalties, it shows the strength of character of France. We also want to show that, that we are a big football nation and capable of winning titles. »

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