Republic of Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson believes her side can earn a shock victory over France in Friday’s opening Euro 2025 qualifier in Metz.
France are third in the world rankings, but Gleeson is refusing to accept the notion her 25th-ranked side are no-hopers going into the game.
Asked what would be a good result for her side, Gleeson replied: “To win.
“We are coming here to compete and to try to win the game, affect the game in whatever way we can.”
The contest at the Stade Saint-Symphorien is the opening assignment for the Irish in what is the most daunting of qualifying groups.
Gleeson’s side also face European champions England and Sweden, who are also both in the world’s top six teams.
‘This is where to want to be’
But judging by Gleeson’s words, she is undaunted by the challenge as the Republic of Ireland women aim to build on their historic qualification for last year’s World Cup, which was the first time they reached a major finals.
“This is where we are, this is where we want to be,” she added.
“This is the draw we got. In terms of Irish women’s football, it is super important to be consistent and to sustain consistent qualification into major tournaments and this is a step along that process.”
Gleeson’s squad go into the game boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Denise O’Sullivan who missed the friendlies against Italy and Wales in February through injury, although Niamh Fahey is ruled out by a calf strain.
France welcome back captain Wendie Renard following thigh surgery in December, although it’s not certain the Lyon star will start in Metz after only returning to club action within the last two weeks.
Renard’s return leaves the French close to full strength although Paris St-Germain star Oriane Jean-François remains out as a result of the knee injury she suffered in the Champions League tie against Manchester United in October.
While the Republic of Ireland boss believes her side can upset Herve Renard’s World Cup quarter-finalists, Gleeson admits the hosts are highly likely to dominate possession.
“We’ll be totally realistic,” she added. “We expect that they’ll have more of the ball than us so what we have to do is be super prepared to be out of possession and to do that well.
“But the moments that we do transition, we have to be as clinical as we can be and exploit the spaces that we can in those moments.”
An understrength France comfortably won a World Cup warm-up game 3-0 in Dublin last June to underline the magnitude of the task facing the Irish.
“It is super important that we get a foothold early, whether that is in possession or out of possession, and just be calm and try to dominate those key moments,” said Gleeson, as she emphasised the importance of making a good start in Metz.
The top two in Group A3 will earn automatic qualification for next year’s championships in Switzerland, although even a bottom-placed finish will still be enough to guarantee the Republic of Ireland a place in the play-off semi-finals which take place in October.
Following Friday’s game, the Republic of Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.
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