Nothing seems to be able to disturb Marie-Antoinette Katototo, not even her mini-deisette in front of the goal with the Bleues-five matches without scoring-a first in her international career. All smiles, relaxed, “Mak” stopped at length at the microphone of Franceinfo to return to his transfer to OL Lyonnes, but also to his expectations for the Euro. Interview.
Franceinfo: How do you come out of this last season with Paris Saint-Germain?
Marie-Antoinette Katoto: We are not going to lie, the season was not at all the one I hoped for sportingly, and outside. I’m not going to hide, sportingly, it’s my fault. I assume, I did not have a good season. But I learned a lot, especially mentally, in terms of mentality, the values, on what I could bring more or what I could have done better. Each season is different, each season is beneficial whatever it happens. I will only keep the positive. I was lucky to be able to play despite this last season and I am very happy.
You signed in favor of OL Lyonnes, why?
This team has a great story, a very big record, everything is big, everything is huge. I am very, very happy to play for this team. I did not think because I am a very patient in life, but there, I am very impatient at the idea of ​​starting the adventure. We can say what we want is a big club, for me it’s the best. Since the Olympic Games, I saw the stadium, the Groupama Stadium, differently, I told myself that I would see myself, it is really something unique. I really want to wear this jersey and do beautiful things in this stadium. OL and I, it’s a longtime story. I was 11-12 years old, with Jean-Michel Aulas (ex-president of Women’s OL). I discussed with many former players, Sonia Bompastor, Camille Abily, Wendie Renard, Sarah Bouhaddi, but also the teammates with whom I played in blue.
From a very young age, I have been talked about a lot about Lyon, and all the time in good. I saw OL write this story. For me, it was a natural, logical choice. I haven’t really seen Lyon as a rival.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto, on her signature at OL Lyonnesin franceinfo
Did an experience abroad try you?
(Laughs) Of course ! You want to discover another mentality, another culture, whether Spain, England or the United States. But France is my country. I still want to do beautiful things in my country.
France and selection, let’s come: how are you feeling right now? You score the step in front of the goal, with five matches without scoring. Does that affect you?
I really don’t take my head, it’s a passenger, it will not create more doubts in me. It’s not something that bothers me more than that. Goals, I have put it, I would put it again (smile). There are times empty passages, and there will be others. I am very happy that my teammates mark, it gives them full confidence and I am very happy for them.
The teammates took over in the last match against Switzerland. Does this take a little pressure on you?
Not especially, I always thought that everyone is able to score goals. I have never really focused on that, I don’t go to want to want to score. It is also what makes me this strength and this tranquility.
What do you like about the new game project set up by Laurent Bonadei?
This is something very new, in the French team, I rarely known this way of playing, he tries a lot of things, he tries to get us out of our comfort zone. And it’s very new to me. I think he expects me to participate in the game, that I have fun.
What do you expect this euro, the second in your career?
I expect a lot, but quietly, without doing it too much. I do not see us favorite of competition. I think we are below Germany, Spain, England. They won titles. We, apart from having apparently a good team, we did nothing more (smile). For once, I will put us in the position ofoutsiders Rather than cadors. We’re going to hunt, show, without too much pressure.
This position suits you?
Me, it suits me, because each match will be a war, it will be up to us to do everything, to advance French women’s football. Supporters, the public, the nation are waiting for this. It is up to us to go, we have no choice (smile).
And you will start very hard with the title holders, the English, Saturday July 5 …
It’s a very beautiful team, it is one of the two best three in the world, with very big players. Their last euro, at home, was magnificent. This is an example to follow. But a match is 90 minutes, with two staff, two teams that tear themselves off, and anything is possible. We will give everything. If it doesn’t happen, there will be two matches behind, if it wins, so much the better. We will take what there is to take, in any case we will have to count on us!
What can you wish for this euro?
To be in good health, to have fun, to love it!
