Paris hampered in race for the title

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Paris Saint-Germain Women and cross-town rivals Paris FC cancelled each other out 0-0 in their D1 Arkema Round 20 clash on Sunday 7 May.

Three weeks after their victory away to EA Guingamp, the Parisians were back to league action as Paris FC came calling for a top-of-the-table clash. Les Rouge et Bleu wanted to continue their progress in order to stay within striking distance of current league leaders Olympique Lyonnais. For this match, Gérard Prêcheur lined up Oriane Jean-François in central defence, alongside Elisa De Almeida, while Jackie Groenen was in midfield. At the top, Amalie Vangsgaard had the heavy task of filling the absence of Kadidiatou Diani.

In the driving rain, the Parisians managed to dominate possession. However, it was the visitors who were dangerous first, with a long shot from Bourdieu that went narrowly wide of Sarah Bouhaddi's goal. Shortly before the half-hour mark, Paris reacted with a good cross from Sakina Karchaoui on the left, but Sandy Baltimore headed the ball just wide.

Faced with the domination of Grace Geyoro and her teammates, the PFC players then looked to proceed on the counter. Clara Mateo, for example, tried to surprise the Parisian goalkeeper with a long-range shot that went just over the bar. At the break, neither team had managed to open the scoring despite some opportunities on both sides.

After the break, it was Paris FC who were the more effective, with two consecutive chances from Fleury and Mateo. But Sarah Bouhaddi managed to keep her team in the game, and allowed the capital club to get forward and try to bring the danger on goal. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a save from Sakina Karchaoui, before Amalie Vangsgaard's effort went wide on the hour-mark.

As the end of the game approached, the PFC goalkeeper again stymied the Parisian attack with a double save from Ramona Bachmann and Sandy Baltimore! In a tight and animated duel, Paris Saint-Germain couldn't find the breakthrough, and the two teams ended up sharing the spoils.

Gerard Prêcheur's players are now three lengths behind leaders Lyon, and will have to hope for a slip-up from the Rhône-valley club to keep their title hopes alive. Now it's time for the Coupe de France for Lieke Martens and his team, with a prestigious match next Saturday in Orleans: Paris Saint-Germain will face Olympique Lyonnais in the final of the competition, at the Stade de la Source.