A week after playing at the Parc des Princes in the blockbuster league match against Lyon, the Paris Saint-Germain women’s team returned to the PSG Campus on Wednesday evening. For the encounter, Paulo César’s players faced Savoyard side Thonon Évian Grand Genève FC in the quarter-finals of the inaugural edition of the LFFP Cup.
Against the second division team, the Rouge et Bleu coach relied on the depth of his squad, including several “Titis”. Elisa de Almeida and Thiniba Samoura formed the central defence in front of goalkeeper Océane Toussaint, while Isabela and Noémie Fatier played at full-back. In midfield, Sakina Karchaoui was supported by Yaya and Florianne Jourde, while the front three was entirely composed of academy graduates, with Ornella Graziani and Tara Elimbi Gilbert flanking Léa Morissaint.
The club from the capital started the match at full throttle, quickly trying to make a difference and prevent the Savoyard side from getting a hold on the game. Thonon Évian, however, showed great fighting spirit to withstand the Parisian attacks. After several counter-attack opportunities (2', 27'), it was ultimately from a set-piece that the Rouge et Bleu made the breakthrough. Just seconds after seeing her header from a corner blocked at the last moment by the opposing defence, Isabela jumped higher than everyone else from a similar set-play at the near post, giving her team the lead (1–0, 35').
After the break, the game quickly heated up, with the Savoyard side forced to push forward in search of an equaliser, while the Parisiennes looked to extend their lead. The visitors were the first to go close, but Océane Toussaint brilliantly won her duel against Inès Belmalliani (55'). A few minutes later, Paulo César’s players displayed clinical efficiency to double the advantage, thanks to a superb piece of individual brilliance from young Marie Lafontaine, who had come on just minutes earlier (2–0, 63').
Managing the game in the final half-hour, the Paris Saint-Germain Women’s team continued to show determination, denying the visitors any hope of a comeback. In the final minutes of the match, Marie Lafontaine completed a brilliant brace, rounding the opposing goalkeeper to finish off this attacking display (3–0, 85').
In front of their home crowd, the Rouge et Bleu secured a commanding victory while giving ample playing time to several academy players. It was a perfect evening, culminating in a semi-final clash against Paris FC on 14 February. The club from the capital will need to maintain the same mindset to try and secure a spot in the final of this inaugural edition of the competition, which will take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 14 March.
Les Parisiennes will come up against Paris FC on Saturday 7 February, in a crucial league match at the Stade Charléty, before meeting the Franciliennes again a week later for the LFFP Cup showdown.