Big win for Paris in friendly against PSV Eindhoven

Not yet at full strength, Paris Saint-Germain Women's Team continued their preparations with this second friendly match. On their home turf at the Camp des Loges, the Parisians played host to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Playing in the Vrouwen Eredivise, the Rood-Witten are coming off a relatively successful season, with a Dutch Cup final and fourth place in the league. A European team two years ago, the Red and Blue faced a good challenge.

Gérard Prêcheur lined up a 3-5-2 formation for this home game, with Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in goal for the Rouge et Bleu. In defence, we saw the titi Jade Le Guilly, accompanied by two summer recruits who arrived this week: Viola Calligaris and Thiniba Samoura. Nicole Payne and Tara Elimbi were on the flanks, while Korbin Albert, Magnaba Folquet and Ana Vitoria played in midfield. The attack was made up of the Manssita Traoré/Sandy Baltimore duo. The latter was once again wearing the captain's armband.

The visiting team kicked off, but it wasn't long before the Rouge et Bleu got going. A high and well-organised press enabled the Parisians to be dangerous from the outset. It soon paid off, as Magnaba Folquet won the ball high up the pitch and found Sandy Baltimore in the box. The captain was one-on-one with the Dutch goalkeeper and scored the opening goal (1-0, 3'). At the quarter-hour mark, possession was in the Dutch team's favour, but defensive discipline from the Parisian players prevented Eindhoven from posing a threat. With their 3-5-2 formation, Paris Saint-Germain played heavily on the flanks, with Nicole Payne on the right and Tara Elimbi on the left.

It was a team in control of proceedings at the Camp des Loges, with the Parisians on the mark in every aspect of their game, and the Dutch were suffocated by the constant Red and Blue pressing. Spaces were created, particularly in the middle of the park. This is where we once again saw Magnaba Folquet and Sandy Baltimore, set up in the box by her partner. In another one-on-one situation, the Parisian No.21 beat the opposing goalkeeper to double the lead (2-0, 28'). Striker Manssita Traoré was combining dangerously with Nicole Payne on the right. It was she who won a penalty after a nice attack, converted by Magnaba Folquet (3-0, 36').

With no changes at the interval, the Rouge et Bleu began the second half in the same way as the first, and the Parisians continued to cause problems for the Dutch defence. Switching to a 4-3-3 formation, Paris Saint-Germain continued to dominate PSV. Several changes were made by the coach during the second half: Hawa Sangaré came on in the 54th minute to replace Manssita Traoré, and goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek was replaced by Océane Toussaint four minutes later. In the 65th minute, it was Oceane Hurtré's turn to come on and create several dangerous situations down the left. A final change was made in the 80th minute for Paris, with Olivia Romiti coming on for Ana Vitoria. Despite all the good intentions in the second half, the score remained unchanged: a 3-0 Paris Saint-Germain victory.

A fine victory for our Parisian women, who are now looking ahead to their next challenge: the third pre-season game against Montpellier HSC next Friday in Fontainebleau. Next week, the Women's Team will also be able to count on the return of several internationals to help them prepare for the 2023-2024 season.