Hamaroui’s return to the squad to face Chelsea

An important first step for Kheira Hamraoui. After having reintegrated into the professional workforce on September 21
, the 32-year-old midfielder is in the group that faces Chelsea on Thursday evening at the Jean-Bouin stadium in the Champions League. “She’s in the bandsoberly indicated coach Gérard Prêcheur during the traditional pre-match press briefing.

“She wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t gone well. It went well. She is considered like all the other players. It does not deserve less attention but it does not deserve more attention than the others.“

Kheira Hamraoui, victim of a violent assault in November 2021
was for a time excluded from the professional group, after a heated altercation in training with one of her teammates, Sandy Baltimore, last April.
Finally registered in the list of players to participate in the Champions League, the French international is present for the first time this season in the group.

A calmer climate

The women’s section, which hit the headlines with this case, has found for a few weeks a little peace, much to the delight of his trainer. “It feels good, honestly, it would be hypocritical to say otherwise“, confides Gérard Prêcheur.

“There is more serenity. It’s true that it’s special, but with the group, the staff, we formed, not a bubble, but rather a community, to share the same objectives, the same interests, we protect ourselves, and it’s essential , of all that may be external attacks or difficulties.”

Chelsea, a big piece to start

Calm regained at the best of times for PSG who will face the reigning English champion, Chelsea. “He is a good opponent, just like Barça, Wolfsburg or others“, he judged. “We have such a repetition of matches, which I prefer even match after match, it’s difficult to project yourself, you have to take your matches in the present. Chelsea is hours and hours of analysis, of reflection on our strengths and their strengths. But yes, PSG must show what their strengths are on the European scene.“

“The English clubs are progressing, we are also progressing, even if we are waiting for a boost from the French Football Federation”. mischievously analyzes defender Sakina Karchaoui. “We know that in the Champions League, we come across big teams, Chelsea are one of them, we are determined to start the game and win it.“

If the coach and the players regret that the match is being held on Jean-Bouin’s synthetic turf – “synthetics are traumatic for the body, we have to play on suitable pitches, we hope that we can play on suitable pitches in the future“, regrets Karchaoui, the Parisiennes will evolve in front of 6,000 spectators, including 800 ultras.