Paris fail to get the better of Lyon

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A week after ending their summer preparations with victory in the AMOS Women's Cup 2023, Paris Saint-Germain were back on the pitch to officially launch the 2023-24 season by taking on Olympique Lyonnais in the Trophée des Champions. Les Rouge et Bleu were keen to get the new season off to a flying start against the reigning French champions.

A week after ending their summer preparations with victory in the AMOS Women's Cup 2023, Paris Saint-Germain were back on the pitch to officially launch the 2023-24 season by taking on Olympique Lyonnais in the Trophée des Champions. Les Rouge et Bleu were keen to get the new season off to a flying start against the reigning French champions.

Gérard Prêcheur fielded a central defence comprising Elisa De Almeida, Jade Le Guilly and Viola Calligaris to protect Katarzyna Kiedrzynek's goal. Sakina Karchaoui played on the left flank and Amalie Vangsgaard on the right. In midfield, it was the Oriane Jean-François/Jackie Groenen/Grace Geyoro trio that took up positions in midfield. Finally, on the attacking front, Sandy Baltimore and Lieke Martens played as a duo.

The Parisians got off to a solid start and enjoyed some promising phases of possession. However, it was Lyon who were the first to threaten, with Dumornay's shot deflected for a corner by Kiedrzynek. Les Rouge et Bleu took the initiative, with Sakina Karchaoui in fine form, but managed to get close to their opponents' goal without creating any real chances. As the half-hour approached, Les Gones pushed further up the pitch and took control of the game.

Daelle Melchie Dumornay headed in a cross from the right (1-0, 34'). Paris responded a few minutes later through captain Grace Geyoro, who made a break through the middle of the area and fired in a shot from the edge of the area that ended up in the gloves of the Rhône-valley goalkeeper. At the break, it was Lyon's more efficient half that saw them in the lead.

Right from the start of the second period, the Parisiennes showed their desire to make their opponents doubt themselves. Swiss international Ramona Bachmann, who had just come on as a substitute, unleashed a powerful left-foot shot that was parried by Christiane Endler. Moments later, it was Sandy Baltimore's turn to work her way through the Lyon defence from the right, but her back-heeled effort went wide. As in the first half, Gérard Prêcheur's side were unable to capitalise on their strong phases and Lyon gradually came back into the game.

The Lyon side were more incisive and doubled their advantage when Horan's effort was deflected past Katarzyna Kiedrzynek by Eugénie Le Sommer (2-0, 68'). The gap widened and the Parisians began to be dominated once more, Lyon coming close to scoring a third goal when Vanessa Gilles headed just wide. Unfortunately, Sandy Baltimore's final attempt with her left foot was again saved by the Lyon goalkeeper. At the end of the game, Les Rouge et Bleu were beaten 2-0 by opponents who were more effective at both ends of the pitch.

The Parisiennes can now look forward to the start of a new league season, as they travel to Bordeaux to take on the Girondines on Sunday 17 September to close out the first day of the Arkema D1 (kick-off 21:00).