Back from the international break, the Parisiennes kicked off the final month of the year with a special match, facing Marseille in Le Classique. Making their return to the top flight for the first time since the 2020-2021 season, the Olympiennes were determined to do everything they could to end the capital club's five-game winning streak in the league. To overcome the ambitious newcomer, Paulo César decided to field a three-man defence once again, with Elisa De Almeida partnering Griedge Mbock and Eva Gaetino in front of Mary Earps in goal. Isabela kept her position at right-back, while Tara Elimbi Gilbert took her place on the left. In midfield, Sakina Karchaoui joined Anaïs Ebayilin and Yaya, while Romée Leuchter and Joe Echegini took their places up front.
From the outset, Les Rouge et Bleu took control of the game. Patiently exploiting the spaces, Paulo César's players quickly broke through the Marseille lines and found good positions in the opposition's box. Under pressure and unable to clear the danger, Marseille quickly fell victim to the wrath of our Rouge et Bleu. Receiving a loose ball in the box, Romée Leuchter showed her instincts to open the scoring (0-1, 8').
Despite the freezing cold at the Francis Turcan stadium in Martigues, Paris maintained a certain tempo at the start of the match, with the clear aim of widening the scoreline. Romée Leuchter came close to scoring twice, but lacked precision from a particularly tight angle (13').
After an intense first quarter of an hour, the pace slowed down between the unadventurous Marseillaises and the Parisians, who were managing the game ahead of their decisive UEFA Women's Champions League match against OHL Leuven on Tuesday 9th December at 9pm at the Parc des Princes. However, Paulo César's side took advantage of every mistake made by the Marseille defence. After picking up a clearance from the opposing goalkeeper, Sakina Karchaoui unleashed a shot from more than 35 yards that flew towards the goal before finally being caught by Margot Shore (24').
The Italian 'keeper was called into action again shortly afterwards by Romée Leuchter, but without luck (28'). Our Parisiennes therefore returned to the dressing room with a modest lead, but they needed to remain wary in the second half, as Marseille took advantage of a brief lapse in concentration to equalise through Jenny Perret (1-1, 67').
The goal had a galvanising effect on Les Rouge et Bleu. They responded immediately thanks to a superb pass from Elisa de Almeida, whose lobbed ball found Merveille Kanjinga. Having come on a few minutes earlier, the Parisian striker didn't think twice and took the ball first time to win her duel with Margot Shore (1-2, 70').
Keen to avoid a repeat of the equaliser scenario, Paulo César's players got back on track and immediately broke away thanks to a beautiful move by Ornella Graziani, perfectly set up by Kanjinga, who was in top form tonight (1-3, 72'). In complete control at the end of the match, the Parisians continued their scoring spree and netted a fourth goal thanks to Griedge Mbock, who fired the ball into the back of the net after several failed clearances by the Marseille defence (1-4, 85').
The show wasn't over yet, as young Titi Léa Morissaint rounded off this Classic with her first professional goal, and what a goal it was. Following another superb piece of work from Kanjinga, the 17-year-old striker broke into the box unmarked and beat Shore (1-5, 90+3). It was a comprehensive victory for the unstoppable Rouge et Bleu tonight.
Now it's time for the Parisiennes to focus on the UEFA Women's Champions League. The capital club will host Belgian side OHL Leuven on Tuesday 9th December at 9pm at the Parc des Princes in the fifth matchday of the league phase, Paris' last home game. This match has all the makings of a decisive encounter to keep our qualification hopes alive, and is not to be missed under any circumstances!
