Paris beaten by Olympique Lyonnais

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Paris Saint-Germain's Women's team were beaten 1-0 by Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday 1 October at the Parc des Princes, on Matchday 2 of D1 Arkema. A look back on the encounter.

Two weeks after the perfect start to their season in D1 Arkema at Bordeaux (0-3), Les Parisiennes were back in league action as they prepared for the to face Lyon. Inside the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain took on Olympique Lyonnais in the battle for the top of D1 at the end of Matchday 2. Against the reigning champions, Les Rouge et Bleu wanted to put on a good show in front of their fans.

For this match, Jocelyn Prêcheur started with a central defence consisting of Elisa De Almeida, Jade Le Guilly, and Viola Calligaris to protect the goal guarded by Constance Picaud. In the wing-back positions, Sakina Karchaoui played on the left flank, while Amalie Vangsgaard was deployed on the right. In midfield, the trio of Oriane Jean-François, Grace Geyoro, and Jackie Groenen took their positions to control the middle of the park. Finally, in attack, Sandy Baltimore partnered with new recruit Tabitha Chawinga, who was starting in her first match for Paris.

Energised from the early minutes by the strong presence of Parisian supporters, the players from the capital posed a threat in the first half with Chawinga's effort needing to be stopped by Endler. However, the Lyon players gradually took control of the game by setting themselves up high up the field. Just after the quarter-hour mark, Selma Bacha unleashed a powerful shot that struck the crossbar before being caught by Constance Picaud. A few minutes later, the Parisian goalkeeper found herself powerless against Eugénie Le Sommer's first-time shot, which opened the scoring (0-1, 20').

The goal didn't leave the Red and Blue without a response, as following a well-executed free-kick by Sakina Karchaoui, Sandy Baltimore got free and came very close to equalising. The Parisians looked more comfortable, and captain Grace Geyoro once again forced the opposing goalkeeper into a save with a powerful shot from outside the box! Despite some promising link-up between Karchaoui, Baltimore, and Chawinga from the left flank, the team from Île-de-France headed in at half-time trailing by one goal.

Upon returning from the dressing room, Jocelyn Prêcheur's players once again showed their determination to pose a threat within the opponent's defence. Grace Geyoro tried her luck for a second time as she looked to beat Endler with a low shot from the edge of the box. But Lyon remained on the lookout for a second goal, and Constance Picaud had to make a last-minute intervention to deflect Damaris Egurrola's header for a corner kick.

The hour mark had just passed, and spaces were gradually opening up on both sides. Served from the right side by Vansgaard, Sandy Baltimore unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that was only just kept out by the Lyon goalkeeper. Subsequently, the visitors managed to tighten their defensive lines and maintain possession, preventing the Parisians from launching meaningful attacks on the their goal. Despite several opportunities throughout the match, Paris fell to a narrow defeat against a more clinical Lyon side.

Les Parisiennes will now switch their attention to the next round of league matches and a trip to Forez, where they will face newly-promoted AS Saint-Etienne. An encounter that will take place on Friday 6 October, with kick-off scheduled at 18:00.