Third attack, third defense. Paris FC’s podium in D1 Arkéma is consistent. Even before facing Lyon, Sunday May 8, for the 20th day of the championship, Sandrine Soubeyrand’s players are guaranteed to play in the Champions League next year. A first for Paris FC, which has absorbed the historic Juvisy club since the 2017-2018 season.
A successful marriage between the Essonne team, six-time champions of France, and the capital club, anxious to gain more importance in French football. “The first objective was to make a good merger”says Marie Terroni, president of the women’s section and who had already been running Juvisy since 2007. There were nine international players in the squad, a substantial budget, but we were all volunteers at the club.”she remembers.
I went to see President Le Graët to tell him that I couldn’t go any further and that we had to manage to merge, we had to become professional or semi-professional to give continuity to this heritage that is Juvisy. He put me in touch with Pierre Ferracci, the president of Paris FC.
Marie Terronifrance info: sports
Common infrastructure with Ligue 2 players, professionalism, substantial budget, life in Orly (PFC training center, inaugurated in 2019) contrasts with the memories of the Essonne amateur club. “We have operated a little more professionally since we came under the aegis of the PFC”says Julie Soyer, full-back, in the squad since 2012.
Investments that allow the players of Sandrine Soubeyrand to establish themselves as the third force of the D1. “It’s deserved because we’ve been very consistent throughout the season, we haven’t missed each other”, says Julie Soyer. With only three defeats, against PSG, Lyon and Bordeaux, the PFC did not leave valuable points on the way. Better still, the club of Pierre Ferracci notably held in check its big neighbor (0-0) at the beginning of April.
Closer in the ranking to second place PSG than fourth place Fleury, the PFC wants to fight with the heavyweights. “We are going to play Lyon on Sunday and I say to myself ‘why not’. We can hope for a result, in addition, we are going to play in their big stadium so we might as well have fun”stamps Marie Terroni.
We set the target to be there!
⚪ #TeamPFC pic.twitter.com/WHItPM6XRE
– Paris FC Women (@PFC_feminines) May 5, 2022
To achieve what would be a feat, the Parisiennes will be able to count on a complete group on Sunday, between the experience of international level taulières like Gaëtane Thiney (36 years old, 163 selections) and the passion of young players, like Clara Matéo (24 years old). Author of eleven goals, the native of Nantes has passed a milestone this year, playing more and more with the France team. Her nomination for the title of best player in the championship does not surprise anyone within the club. “She brings us a lot on the pitch and gives herself for the group, that’s what allows her to shine”comments his teammate Julie Soyer.
With her, Louna Ribadeira (17), nominated for the title of best female hope and Chiamaka Nnadozie (21), competing in the category of the best goalkeepers in the championship, caught the eye of their peers.
the @PFC_feminines officially qualified for the preliminary round of the Champions League @UWCL #D1Arkema pic.twitter.com/36vytQIHGo
— D1 Arkema (@D1Arkema) April 18, 2022
Young players who will discover the Champions League next year with a round-trip dam to access the group stages. A first for Paris FC and the Charléty stadium. “It’s not easy to make a merger because some are afraid it will collapse. But today we can say that we were right to do it”concludes Marie Terroni, happy to return to the Champions League, ten years after the elimination of Juvisy by Lyon in the semi-finals of the 2012-2013 edition.