Football. Philippe Diallo: "We have to get back to work and it will be with Laurent Bonadei"

What do you remember about the French team's performance at Euro 2025?

Philippe Diallo : "They were there in the first round in the so-called 'group of death' with the last two winners of the last Euros, England and the Netherlands. They came out brilliantly first with three wins and eleven goals scored. And then this match against Germany where we came away with a cruel disappointment because everything had been put in place for this team to go much further in the tournament. Everyone was in shock from the disappointment."

What did the Blues lack?

"It's always difficult to say. But I think that with eleven against ten for almost the entire match and a one-goal lead, the circumstances were in our favor, and unfortunately we weren't able to break through the German barrier. Germany played an extraordinary game in terms of determination and commitment. This elimination doesn't reflect our ambition."

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Do you think the French players lacked fighting spirit?

"The Germans were superior to us in this area. And perhaps we weren't technically accurate enough. That's certainly one of the reasons for their victory. But the team showed it has the talent to qualify for the semi-finals. The young players are among the positives, as the team includes nearly six players who have gained experience for the upcoming events: the Nations League semi-final against Germany and then the World Cup qualifiers in 2027. In Brazil, France will seek the title that has eluded French women's football for too long."

Is this a failure for the Blues and more particularly for Laurent Bonadei?

"It's a real underperformance; it's the eighth time in the last nine major tournaments that France has been eliminated at the quarter-final stage. There's a kind of Indian sign that we can't seem to break because we've put everything in place to ensure the team benefits from all the resources possible to ensure its success: the preparation conditions and the composition of the coaching staff. The squad is made up of talented players and had the capacity to go further. We'll have to reflect with the coach and those responsible for women's football at the FFF on how we can work better."

So Laurent Bonadei is confirmed in his position?

"I don't think the question arises. After the Olympics, we trusted Laurent until the World Cup with the ambition of supporting this team's transition between generations. Eleven consecutive victories and a successful group stage, there are positive things to remember. But with great humility, we must get back to work, and that will be with Laurent Bonadei."

Did he pay for his strong choices of not calling Wendie Renard , Eugénie Le Sommer and Kenza Dali ?

"No, everyone has their place. I am president of the Federation, we have a coach and it is up to him to make these strong choices. It is up to us to support him and that is what I am doing: his mission was to ensure the transition of generations within the team and he did it with courage."

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Isn't this elimination even more frustrating than the defeat against Brazil at the Olympics?

"Brazil was also a huge disappointment because we dominated the entire match. We had a penalty that we didn't convert and we were eliminated for a foul that we caused ourselves, so it was a huge disappointment. It was different on Saturday night because the team improved in its play and its attacking quality. It showed a real possibility of going further."

Do you think they will ever break through that quarter-final ceiling?

"I believe it in every competition. The Nations League will be a new opportunity to win a trophy. I don't think this elimination calls into question the team's potential. I believe there will come a day when fate will swing in our favor. I have absolutely no confidence."