- PSG obtained a draw (0-0) on Sunday at Parc OL, which is “almost like a victory” according to its coach Olivier Echouafni.
- By keeping one point ahead of the ranking of the women’s D1, Paris only has to beat Dijon, Friday (8:45 p.m.), to validate the first title of champion of France in its history.
- It would be a logical reward for a team vice-champion eight times over the last ten years, and having reached a plateau this season, with two successes against their Lyon rival.
At Parc OL,
“Calm, calm, calm, I just told all the players that there is one game left and that it is not over. We are not champions of anything. “Used to being extremely careful with his men’s team, Leonardo has tasted the joke of Hervé Mathoux, congratulating him on Sunday evening.
on Canal + for the first title of champion of France in D1 feminine of the PSG. If mathematically, it is indeed not done, it would take a hell of a cataclysm for a team that has left only two draws in 21 league days (against Bordeaux and OL on Sunday 0-0), does not ruin an admirable season of regularity against Dijon (8th in D1) on Friday (8:45 pm).
Very little endangered, Sunday at the Parc OL, the band in Kadidiatou Diani knew how to keep, almost without trembling, its point in the standings, synonymous with almost consecration. “I’m proud because we were up against the team that has dominated Europe over the past few years,” said the Parisian sporting director, present in Lyon for this pivotal match. When I came back to the club [en juin 2019], this group was missing a final psychological step. “
“The culmination of several months of hardship facing this team”
Namely that of really believing in his chances of finally overthrowing the insatiable Lyonnaises, both queens during the last 14 seasons in D1, but also sacred five years in a row in the Champions League. “The real trigger is this first leg in the league [remporté 1-0 en novembre dernier], says Parisian coach Olivier Echouafni. It was a bit of the culmination of several months of hardship against this team, against whom it was played on details, such as shots on goal or a goal from a set piece. This success at the Parc des Princes created a lot of confidence in the group. “
To the point that even without its top scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto, injured, PSG delivered a match without calculation on Sunday and obtained the best chances of the game. “A real fight” which allowed the Parisiennes, in the wake of its solid Paredes-Dudek hinge, to prove that they did not want an umpteenth place runner-up (8 out of the last 10 seasons). “The girls showed a lot of determination and courage, appreciates Olivier Echouafni. I hadn’t necessarily seen these ingredients yet. It’s almost like a win tonight. “
The @PSG_Feminines takes a huge step towards the first title in its history! The Parisiennes held the draw and keep their small point ahead of the Lyonnaises. More than a match! 🔥 #OLPSG
▶ ️ https://t.co/NGVb8ZtKid pic.twitter.com/3Az8J8szp3
– Canal Football Club (@CanalFootClub) May 30, 2021
A “destabilization campaign” before the shock in Lyon
His contained joy echoed that of his players, at the moment of Stéphanie Frappart’s final whistle. This PSG is really no longer a foil for the Lyonnaises but a formation as solid behind as it is inspired in front, with its usual trident (Diani, Katoto, Baltimore) without equivalent in France. And with strong nerves, including goalkeeper Christiane Endler and striker Signe Bruun, announced on RMC Sport as new players … of OL, last Thursday, three days before the shock of the season.
“The week was not easy, recognizes Olivier Echouafni, who nevertheless established the two players in Lyon. It’s part of the game to hear a lot of things around us, we accept it without really accepting it. The great strength of girls is also to know how to be professional and not to worry about what may be happening around, with all this campaign of destabilization. They showed concentration on this match and they want to leave a mark. No matter what happens at the end of the season, they too want to write a great page for PSG. “There is even only one final point to put on the most beautiful chapter, so far, of the Parisian club for women.