Szperkowska, Isabela (Le Guilly, 79'), Mbock, Samoura, Carmona, Groenen (Jourde, 87'), Østerås (Lafontaine, 87'), Echegini, Karchaoui (C) (Elimbi Gilbert, 79'), Morissaint (Kanjinga, 65'), Feller.
Almost a month after the last matchday and their resounding 5–0 victory over Leuven, the Paris Saint-Germain Women’s team returned to the Women’s Champions League, this time away to Manchester City. As reigning English champions, the Citizens predictably took control of the game from the outset. This was demonstrated by the ever-present Khadija Shaw, who latched onto a cross from the left, controlled it with her chest and followed it up with a left-footed shot that flew just wide of the Paris post (14'). But despite the home side enjoying the lion’s share of possession, they failed to really trouble Oliwia Szperkowska.
It must be said that the Rouge et Bleu goalkeeper was able to rely on a compact and well-organised defence to shut down the opposition’s attacks. But Paulo César’s players were not content merely to defend and remained on the lookout for the slightest opportunity, as shown by Léa Morissaint who, after benefiting from fine build-up by Sakina Karchaoui, took a powerful shot but failed to hit the target (26'). As the match progressed, the Parisian side grew in confidence, with efforts from Jackie Groenen (36') and Naomie Feller (39'). It would take more than that to beat Ayaka Yamashita, but at half-time, the capital club were holding their own against their English counterparts.
After the break, Manchester City once again tried to impose their rhythm, and Griedge Mbock had to be alert to deny Aoba Fujino and avert the danger (57'). Paris’s response did not take long, and it was courtesy of Sakina Karchaoui: after winning a free-kick, the Rouge et Bleu captain stepped up to take it and went very close (59'). Paris stayed in the game, but it was the Skyblues who looked the more dangerous. Oliwia Szperkowska was forced into a crucial save from Khadija Shaw to keep her side level (66'), moments before the Jamaican international headed wide (69').
But the Citizens’ striker was making her mark more and more, and after winning a penalty in the dying minutes of the game, the Skyblues’ No. 9 took matters into her own hands to open the scoring (1–0, 85'). It seemed that defeat was inevitable for the Parisians, who had very little time to respond, but that was without counting on the impact of Tara Elimbi Gilbert. Coming on as a substitute, the young full-back used her pace to break into the English penalty area down the right flank, before slotting the ball perfectly between the Manchester goalkeeper’s legs (1–1, 88'). It was a fitting reward for her team’s hard work and allowed the Paris Saint-Germain Women’s team to secure a precious point in Manchester.
Tara Elimibi Gilbert’s equaliser, as she finished off her run into the opposition’s box with a shot through Ayaka Yamashita’s legs!
