"Albert Einstein said that madness was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result," France women's coach Laurent Bonadei boldly declared before recent Nations League matches. His solution? Making radically different choices.
French football fans were stunned when Bonadei dropped legendary captain Wendie Renard from both Nations League fixtures and the upcoming European Championship. This wasn't just any player – Renard has 168 caps and has been the cornerstone of French football for years.
The decision left everyone speechless, including the players themselves. Bonadei admitted it was "almost impossible for them to accept" and understood if they were "angry" or "sad."
Renard wasn't alone in being cut. France's top goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer and midfielder Kenza Dali were also omitted. Together, the trio represented 444 international matches of experience – now all watching from home.
"It's incomprehensible. There is disbelief, injustice," Renard told French media. "I gave it my all." The 35-year-old defender only learned she wouldn't make the Euro squad by watching Bonadei's press conference.
A New Era Begins With Immediate Challenges
The timing couldn't be worse for Bonadei's revolution. His new captain, Griedge Mbock, is already injured and will miss France's opening game against England on Saturday.
This forces 21-year-old Alice Sombath into the spotlight for her first major tournament. With just four caps to her name, she'll likely partner with Maelle Lakrar in a completely new defensive pairing against one of the tournament favorites.
Despite these challenges, Bonadei remains confident. "This team is perfectly capable of doing just as well without them," he insisted. Recent results back him up – victories over Switzerland (4-0), Iceland (2-0), Belgium (5-0) and a comeback win against Brazil (3-2).
For bettors, France now presents an interesting proposition. Their odds have lengthened slightly with the absence of these veterans, potentially creating value. Their attacking options remain formidable with stars like Sandy Baltimore, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Breaking the Quarter-Final Curse
France has historically underperformed in major tournaments. They've failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in eight of their last nine major competitions, with Euro 2022's semi-final appearance being the exception.
Bonadei is taking a psychological approach to this problem. He's brought in psychologist Thomas Sammut, who has worked with Olympic champions, to help the team overcome mental barriers.
The coach has notably lowered public expectations, calling France "challengers" rather than favorites. This could reduce pressure on a squad that has often faltered when expectations were highest.
Former French international Laura Georges believes in this new approach. "I think this team can win it. It's a big statement from the coach. He took the decision to change it. This is new and it's going to be interesting to watch."
For those considering a wager, France offers an intriguing risk-reward profile. Their young talent makes them unpredictable, but potentially devastating if Bonadei's gamble pays off.
The new-look French side begins their Euro campaign against England on Saturday. It's the first real test of whether Bonadei's bold experiment will lead to brilliance or backfire spectacularly.
