Narrow defeat for Paris Saint-Germain against Real Madrid
Women's football•
Paris Saint-Germain's women's team lost 2-1 to Real Madrid CF in their UEFA Women's Champions League group stage Matchday 2 clash at the PSG Campus on Thursday 16 October.
After the 4-0 defeat against WfL Wolfsburg in their opening match of the competition at Wolfsburg Stadion last Wednesday, Les Parisiennes played host to the Spanish side who had kicked off their campaign with a sensational 6-2 win over AS Roma at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano last week. For the occasion, Paulo César fielded Mary Earps in goal behind a defence comprising Elisa De Almeida, Thiniba Samoura, Griedge Mbock and Olga Carmona. Joe Echegini, youngster Tanté Diakité and captain Sakina Karchaoui made up the midfield, while Merveille Kanjinga led the attack, flanked by Rasheedat Ajibade and Tara Elimbi Gilbert.
In their first European match of the season on home turf in Poissy, the hosts started the game well, with Kanjinga seeing her shot from the edge of the box blocked by Maëlle Lakrar at the last moment (8'). Ajibade almost caught Missa Rodriguez off guard with a cross-shot that skimmed the goal line (21'), but both Echegini's and De Almeida's follow-up shots were blocked (22'). However, the Madrid side responded and scored with their first opportunity. Sandie Toletti launched Yasmim down the left, and she crossed for Naomie Feller to open the scoring from six yards out (0-1, 29').
Les Parisiennes continued to push but their efforts went unrewarded and Real Madrid's French international even went close to doubling the lead shortly afterwards - but Earps intervened (32'). Feller did provide the assist as the Spanish side made the break just befor the half-time whistle, crossing from the left wing. Earps deflected Caroline Weir's subsequent effort onto her right post, but Alba Redondo was on hand to tap home and widen the gap (0-2, 45+2').
It was a cruel scenario, but Paris did not give up. After the restart, Ajibade narrowly missed the target (50'), Rodriguez deflected Echegini's shot for a corner (56'), and Samoura's point-blank shot was blocked by Mendez on the goal line (57'). Immediately afterwards, Echegini crossed and Karchaoui, on the right, cut inside and crossed to the far post for Ajibade, who headed home to cap off a strong spell and revive her side's hopes (1-2, 58').
As the minutes ticked by, Les Parisiennes continued to give their all, but it was Las Blancas who had two chances at the very end of the match; Toletti went close with a free-kick from 20 yards out (88'), and Athenea looked dangerous in the box (90'+2), but neither found the target. The home side's last chance came when Ornella Graziani crossed for fellow substitute Romée Leuchter, but the Dutchwoman headed the ball over the bar (90'+4), and the hosts were beaten.
The next European fixture for Les Rouge et Bleue is another exciting one: a trip to England to take on Manchester United FC, currently fifth with six points, at Old Trafford on Wednesday 12th November (Matchday 3) at 21:00 CET. To conclude this busy week, though, Paris – currently second in the Arkema Première Ligue table with nine points, just behind Lyon – will face RC Strasbourg Alsace, seventh with five points, at the Stade de la Meinau this Sunday (Matchday 5), also at 21:00 CET.