For the first time in ten years, Paris FC players will play in the group stage of the Women’s Champions League.
Failing to have two clubs in the men’s elite, Paris can boast of having two teams in the Women’s Champions League. The two Parisian teams have in fact punched their ticket for the group stage of the women’s C1, Wednesday October 18. Expected at this level, the PSG players eliminated Manchester United (3-1, after the 1-1 draw in the first leg).
On the other hand, those of Paris FC created a surprise by dismissing Wolfsburg, finalist of the last edition, by winning 2-0 in Germany after the draw in the first leg (3-3). Paris FC will thus participate in its first Champions League group stage in ten years. For the first time in history, France will have three teams at this level, since the two Parisian clubs join Olympique Lyonnais, qualified directly as French champions.
Paris FC is magical
This October 18, 2023 will therefore remain a historic date for Paris FC, which was still called FCF Juvisy Essonne during its last participation in the Champions League, in 2012-2013. Building on a first exploit in the previous round against Arsenal, the outgoing semi-finalist, the Parisiennes did it again in the return play-off, after their first-leg draw against Wolfsburg at the Charléty stadium. This time, Sandrine Soubeyrand’s players were able to count on an impenetrable goalkeeper.
Faulty on the opening score in the first leg, Chiamaka Nndadozie in fact redeemed herself, on the Wolfsburg pitch, by diverting Dominique Janssen’s penalty on the hour mark. Enough to give some fresh air to her team , who had seen Gaëtane Thiney miss her shot on goal in the 11th minute of play. Which did not inhibit the Parisians who came to Germany with their ambitious football, and were quickly rewarded by Julie Dufour’s opening score , on a cross from Clara Mateo (38th).
Saved by their goalkeeper, but also by her post (22nd) and by Célina Ould Hocine on her line (69th), Paris FC held on in the second act, facing the European vice-champions of the formidable Alexandra Popp, muzzled . Surprising in their mastery and serenity, the third places in the last D1 Arkema even had the luxury of savoring their victory before the end of the match, thanks to Louise Fleury’s goal after a counterattack (90th+1), at dawn of seven minutes of added time.
PSG is clinical
A year after their failure against AS Roma at the same stage of the competition, the PFC players returned to the Champions League after ten years of waiting. For the other Parisians, those of PSG, the qualification is less surprising, but just as valuable. After their first-leg draw against Manchester United (1-1), Jocelyn Prêcheur’s players knew that everything remained to be done when they returned, on the lawn of the Parc des Princes.
They did it, thanks to a double from Lieke Martens (17th, 48th), who had the good idea to give her team the advantage just after Lisa Naalsund’s equalizer (47th). Highly visible, Sandy Baltimore then quickly widened the gap (57th) to put the Parisiennes, more feverish than impressive, to safety. Without shining, but devilishly effective, the vice-champions of France ensured their participation in an eleventh Champions League campaign, the sixth in a row.