After a difficult start to the campaign, our Parisian women's team were reunited with their fans one last time in this phase of the UEFA Women's Champions League, playing host to OHL Leuven. It was a crucial match, as the Belgians were tied with Paris FC for 12th place, the last qualifying spot for the final phase. With a five-point gap at kick-off and only one matchday left, the maths was simple for Les Rouge et Bleu: they had to win to keep their hopes of advancing to the next round alive.
In an attempt to overcome the Belgian side, Paulo César decided to make several changes to the team that started against Bayern Munich last time out in the Champions League. Mary Earps retained her place in goal, supported by a three-woman defence consisting of Griedge Mbock, Elisa de Almeida and Thiniba Samoura. In her first start in the competition, Ornella Graziani took her place on the right flank in the role of wing-back, mirrored on the left by Olga Carmona. In the centre, captain Sakina Karchaoui flanked Yaya and Anaïs Ebayilin, while Joe Echegini and Romée Leuchter continued up front.
Needing a win to keep their European dreams alive at the start of next year, our Parisian women showed their attacking and enterprising side from opening minutes. However, Les Rouge et Bleue struggled against a particularly compact defence.
Whenever they managed to get a shot on target, Lowiese Seynhaeve was there to make the save. The Belgian team's last line of defence continued the excellent form that earned her the competition's top save rate after four matchdays (82.1%). After Yaya a few minutes earlier (15'), Sakina Karchaoui saw her fine effort denied by the Belgian goalkeeper (26').
Despite dominating the match, Paris couldn't find a way through. Leuven, meanwhile, took few risks; the visitors' only attempt came from a corner taken by Saar Jansen, whose header was saved by Mary Earps (37'). After the break, Paulo César decided to bring in some fresh blood, with Merveille Kanjinga replacing Graziani. Joe Echegini dropped back a notch, moving Karchaoui to the right flank. From then on, the Parisians were decidedly more offensive, knowing the clock was ticking down.
OHL's defence was quickly put under pressure in the second half, with a series of dangerous moments in the opposition's box. Despite some fine runs down the wings, Leuchter and Carmona's low crosses found no takers (50', 58'). The capital club then tried to find a way through from outside the box, but without success, as Seynhaeve was on hand to block shots from Yaya (63') and Ebayilin (66').
As the final whistle approached, the Parc des Princes crowd continued to cheer on their team and our Parisiennes gave it their all. Léa Morissaint, who had come on for Romée Leuchter a few minutes earlier, tried her luck from outside the box, but her shot lacked precision and failed to trouble the Belgian defence (80'). Despite numerous chances, Les Rouge et Bleues lacked that little bit of luck needed to make the difference, as illustrated by Joe Echegini's header that flew just over the bar in added time (90+2').
Paulo César's players will be looking to get back to winning ways on Friday when they play host to Montpellier at the PSG Campus in the opening match of the Arkéma Première Ligue Matchday 10 (21:00). As for the UEFA Women's Champions League, Les Rouge et Bleues will end their European campaign in Lisbon against Benfica next Wednesday.
