Following Olympique de Marseille's loss to Montpellier in a rebounding penalty shoot-out, the Canadian goaltender returns to her team's performance in the round of 16 and her personal adaptation to France championship.


Hearts of Foot - Your reaction on this match? Did you expect that scenario?

Geneviève Richard - We were expecting a close match. We wanted to go out a big game and we made a very good collective effort. It's a shame we did not get the result but we showed beautiful things anyway.


CDF - There's a great opportunity from Sofia Jakobsson that you stop, it has propelled you to the penalty shoot-out. During this session of TAB we heard a lot of supporters encourage Montpellier. Did that discourage you?

G.R. - (laughs) Personally, these are games that motivate me a lot. When you play against a quality opponent and you believe in your means and that has a group that is very motivated and very hungry. With regard to our season, it's games that are interesting and we see that we raise our level of play. When the players are concentrated, the intensity is there and it's games we will remember all our lives .


CDF - You played every game of your team, whether in D1 or in cup. How do you see the evolution of the group?

G.R. - The alchemy of the group is much better. It shows and it feels on the ground for both people on the ground and outside.


CDF - But personally, do you feel more confident?

G.R. - This is my first year in this championship, I came directly from Japan. And I must say that I had to make some readjustments.

In Japan, I was bigger than average, good even if it's everywhere. But, I think it's the style of play that is faster, it plays a touch of ball against it is less tactical, there is less management of the game [Japan]. [In France] girls always remind me to be calm, so I usually play hard for 90 minutes. In Japan walk to fetch a ball [exit the field] it's not normal.


CDF - But does it disturb you a bit in your game, having to be calmer?

G.R. - Well at first I really had to adapt. But six months later it starts to see, to feel [that I adapted].


CDF - We imagine that you were a little slaughtered in the locker room. What did you say to yourself in the end? There was still some satisfaction or not at all?

G.R. - We are satisfied with our work, our collective effort. But disappointed that the result did not follow.


CDF - You felt there was a blow to play? That it did not go far?

G.R. - Yes. But hey it's football. But ... I think everyone thought there, the space of a few seconds, when shots on goal.


CDF - Now you have to focus on the championship and get that support ...

G.R. - (she cuts) Yes yes, let's go! We move to Soyaux next weekend and we really want to get the win. With the performances we're doing right now, I think we can do it.