Next Saturday (29), the Women"s National Team will face its second opponent in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. The challenge will be against France, currently ranked fifth in the FIFA ranking.
Since Pia took charge of the Brazilian team, this will be the second time that the Swedish coach will face the French. On the last occasion, at the 2022 International Tournament of France, the Brazilians were beaten 2-1.
READ MORE
++ After two World Cups, Lelê highlights the evolution of the Women’s National Team
++ Experience is one of the strengths of the Brazilian National Team in the World Cup
++ Brazilian Women’s National Team has never beaten France in history
In 2019, at the World Cup, Brazil had its trajectory interrupted by the French, who beat Canarinho by 2-1 in the round of 16. This year, Pia wants to reverse the history and seek the first victory against the Europeans.
“There"s always history when you play against a team. And the longer you play against a team like France, the closer you get to victory. That"s a fact, it"s a matter of time. We have an opportunity. I try to compare 2019 with now [and] it is very different. When I look at the team, they are happy, confident and believe that it is possible. This is the moment for us to play great football and win the game", said Pia.
During the preparation for the World Cup, Brazil faced other teams that are in the Top 5 of FIFA and achieved great advances. Canarinho faced strong opponents, which brought confidence to the team.
“Facing England, beating Germany, Chile and Panama, gives us confidence. With each goal scored, we gain confidence. And, as I said, we try to create an atmosphere of ‘this is the moment". So this is our opportunity in this specific game against France," remembered the coach.
After the victory against Panama in the competition, the coach emphasized the work done by the players over the four years she was in charge of the national team. Pia highlighted the significant evolution of Brazil and expressed her pride in the team.
“After four years I think the players have done a great job because it"s not just about the position and the way we like to defend, but also a determined attitude. I"m very proud of them and not conceding goals is extremely important. At the end of the day, achieving goals will be more important, I believe, than beating France. But I"m proud of the players, because they"ve done an excellent job during these four years."
