Les Parisiennes and Real Madrid end on level terms

It was a gala match between two of the biggest European institutions which saw Paris Saint-Germain’s Women’s team take on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. A huge battle that Gérard Prêcheur approached with a reworked starting eleven. Les Parisiennes were led by an attacking trio of Bachmann-Martens-Diani, while Grace Geyoro brought her experience once again in midfield.

The first duels of the encounter quickly demonstrated it: it was going to be an intense battle across the pitch. Against a home side determined to shine in front of their supporters, Les Rouge et Bleu needed to show their personality in order to stamp their own style on the game and execute their game plan. And that is exactly what they managed to do to start with. With a high and intense press, Paris Saint-Germain were the first team to look dangerous in the encounter.

The waves of chances began to rain down, with the dangerous Lieke Martens, marking her territory in her return to competitive action, with two early efforts on goal, including one which hit against the bar (4’, 18’). A period of dominance for Gérard Prêcheur’s side but they didn’t manage to convert, despite an exemplary attitude. At the other end of the pitch, Real soon responded. And although our Parisiennes showed real application in their use of the ball to impose their own game plan, they needed to remain just as vigilant in defence against a side ready to counter.

In order to respond to the hosts’ attacking threats, Les Rouge et Bleu showed real solidarity. And when the defence was out of position, Sarah Bouhaddi was on the prowl in goal to thwart the home side’s attempts, as she did for the vicious effort from Olofsson (24’). The match then lost its rhythm, with a huge battle in midfield, with neither side managing to find the opener.

It took until the second half to see the match really get going again. The Spanish side tried to step it up a notch, playing higher up the pitch, and allowing Les Parisiennes to attack the space in behind the defence. As explosive as ever when played in deep, Kadidiatou Diani ensured the home side had their hearts in their mouths, but Paris Saint-Germain’s top scorer was denied by Misa (54’), before missing the target from a tight angle (65’).

In the final half an hour, Gérard Prêcheur used his final changes to bring some additional dynamism to his troops. But although our Parisiennes tried to get a second wind, they weren’t rewarded for their efforts. They can, however, content themselves with not having conceed in a rather stressful end to the match, where the opposition gained in confidence.

After a tight encounter, Paris Saint-Germain return from the Spanish capital with a point on the board. The remainder of the competition will boast several palpitating encounters in this Group A. But in the immediate term, Les Rouge et Bleu will first dive back into domestic action with a trip to Reims in D1 Arkema on Saturday, before returning to European action in less than a month, on 23 November, against Albanian side KFF Vllaznia Shkodër. The dates are set...