Will Olympique Lyonnais be accompanied by two Parisian clubs this season in the Champions League? In the first leg play-offs, which will allow the winners to progress to the group stage of the event, Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC both preserved their chances of qualifying on Tuesday against big odds, via draws , respectively at Manchester United (1-1) and against Wolfsburg (3-3). PSG thought they had done the hardest part in England by opening the scoring thanks to their Malawian attacker Tabitha Chawinga, well served over the defense by Sandy Baltimore (0-1, 53rd).
But French international Melvine Malard, on loan this season from OL, played a bad trick on the French vice-champion, equalizing four minutes after coming on (1-1, 70th). Tuesday in the second preliminary round first leg of the Champions League. Quarter-finalist of the last edition of the C1, PSG was shaken by a team new to the event, without much international reference except Mary Earps, goalkeeper of the English selection finalist of the last World Cup. A very undecided return match therefore awaits the team led by Jocelyn Prêcheur, on October 18 at the Parc des Princes.
Paris FC had already surprised Arsenal last month
For its part, Paris FC, much less experienced than its neighbor on the European scene, believed to achieve the feat at home against the double European champions Wolfsburg. After leading twice in Charléty, thanks to goals from Mathilde Bourdieu (2-1, 15th) and Julie Dufour (3-2, 44th), the third in the last D1 season suffered the realism of essential German scorer Alexandra Popp. This signed a double (30th and 73rd) synonymous with a favorable ballot (3-3) for the finalist of the last C1.
Surprise guest to such a display, the PFC did not hide its satisfaction on Tuesday evening, already that qualification for the previous round seemed to be a miracle against Arsenal (3-3, 4-2 on penalties). “We showed some great things, it’s the match we wanted to play,” said coach Sandrine Soubeyrand. In the first half, we scored three goals, there aren’t many teams who do that against Wolfsburg…”
Captain Gaëtane Thiney was just as enthusiastic: “In the expression of our game, we can be proud of what we did. » What if we had the right to a new colossal surprise, in a week in Wolfsburg?