For the first time this season, Paris Saint-Germain's women's team took the field at the Parc des Princes as they took on Bayern Munich in their UEFA Women's Champions League Matchday 4 clash on Thursday. It was a prestigious fixture that drew nearly 15,000 Rouge et Bleu supporters to the stadium, all thrilled to be seeing Paulo César's players take on the German giants. In an attempt to pick up the side's first points on the continental stage this season, César decided to make only one change to the starting XI that lined up at Old Trafford against Manchester United on the last matchday (2-1).
Isabela and Olga Carmona occupied the defensive flanks, while Elisa de Almeida and Griedge Mbock formed the central defensive pairing in front of Mary Earps in goal. In midfield, Yaya returned alongside Anaïs Ebayilin in the centre, while Sakina Karchaoui and Joe Echegini took their places on the wings, flanking the attacking duo of Romée Leuchter and Rasheedat Ajibade.
In a lively atmosphere, thanks in particular to the large number of ultras in attendance, the initial feeling-out period between the sides quickly gave way to a real battle. While Bayern's first attempt proved harmless (10'), the Parisians set the Parc des Princes alight with their first opportunity.
Picked out by Joe Echegini in the centre, Rasheedat Ajibade took advantage of the space left open by the Munich defence to set up Sakina Karchaoui at the edge of the box. As an exemplary captain, Karchaoui kept her cool in front of Ena Mahmutovic and opened the scoring (1-0, 16'). Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived, as Bayern Munich attacked immediately after the restart and quickly levelled the score through Linda Dallmann (1-1, 17').
This equaliser allowed the Germans to establish their rhythm in the first half. As the minutes ticked by, the pressure on Mary Earps' goal intensified (29', 30', 34'). Finally, Bayern Munich punished the Parisians, who had been too passive since the equaliser, with a touch of luck.
After a shot by Joe Echegini was blocked by a hair's breadth, Momoko Tanikawa put the visitors ahead (1-2, 35'). Paulo César's players did not let their heads drop, however, and pushed forward in an attempt to equalise before half-time, notably through Griedge Mbock, but to no avail (45'+3).
Buoyed by an encouraging first half, the Parisiennes show good intentions as soon as they returned from the dressing room. Yaya tried twice to make the difference, first with a header across goal that was caught by Mahmutovic (55'), then with a beautiful backheel that was pushed out for a corner (64'). After two quick-fire yellow cards, Bayern Munich came close to dampening the capital club's enthusiasm when Pernille Harder's first-time strike hit the crossbar (71').
Paulo César's players pushed forward as a unit, and Merveille Kanjinga, who had come on a few minutes earlier, quickly created danger (76'). But by pushing forward, the risk of counter-attacks became greater and greater. And in the final minutes of regulation time, Bayern Munich crushed the capital club's hopes levelling it up by scoring a third goal through Jovana Damnjanovic (1-3, 87'). Despite several chances to get back into the game, the Parisians were thwarted by a solid defence and lost to Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes.
It's time for our Rouge et Bleues to take to return to league action, travelling to AS Saint-Etienne this Sunday for their Arkema Première Ligue Matchday 8 fixture. Paulo César's players will be keen to continue their fine form on the domestic stage, having won four consecutive matches without conceding a single goal.