Paris beat AC Milan in AMOS Women's French Cup final

Paris Saint-Germain's women's team closed out their pre-season campaign last night with the 2023 AMOS Women's French Cup final against AC Milan at the Stade Michel Bendichou in Colomiers, southern France. For this final preparatory fixture, Les Parisiennes were set to face a Milan side brimming with confidence after their three wins in as many games, including a 2-0 victory over Atlético Madrid in the competition's semi-finals. Having finished third in Serie A Femminile last season, tournament debutants Le Rossonere represented a top-drawer opponent for Paris to face in the final.

For the big occasion, Gérard Prêcheur put out the same 3-5-2 as in his side's previous friendlies, choosing to stick with Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in goal. At the back, Jade Le Guilly was again starting alongside two summer signings: Viola Calligaris and Aïssatou Tounkara. Lieke Martens was placed on the right wing while Sakina Karchaoui made a return to the left flank, and in midfield, Laurina Fazer was accompanied by two internationals in the form of Jackie Groenen and Grace Geyoro. Finally, the attacking line consisted of Amalie Vangsgaard and Sandy Baltimore, who was once again named as captain for the evening.

Right from kick-off, Les Parisiennes began to dominate the possession, with the well-organised Rouge et Bleu pressing their opponents, carving out several chances and, for the first quarter of an hour of the game, looking much the better side. Milan, meanwhile, seemed unable to break through Paris's solid defensive line to create any real goalscoring opportunities for themselves. Then, after some nice combination play in midfield, Martens fired a shot off from outside the box that was parried by the Rossonere goalkeeper, but when the ball then fell to the feet of Baltimore, like a true fox in the box, the captain for the night only had to tap it in to make it 1-0 in the 34th minute.

Paris, who looked dominant in every department, created a whole host of further chances, including one through Karchaoui down the left. In the 41st minute, Les Rouge et Bleu's no. 7 sent an inch-perfect cross into the Milan penalty area and straight onto the head of Baltimore for the 'Titi' to score the second goal of the game and bag herself a brace in the process.

Having earned themselves a two-goal lead in the first half, Paris started the second half with the same level of intensity. In the 46th minute, Fazer made way for Ramona Bachmann, who would later jink her way through the opposition box before being matched by the Milan keeper. Late in the game, Milan won a free kick in a dangerous position, and it was Frenchwoman Emelyne Laurent who took it and found the back of substitute goalie Constance Picaud's net to reduce the deficit in the 83rd minute.

Despite their best efforts, Le Rossonere were unable to find an equaliser, and the final eventually went the way of Paris Saint-Germain. Baltimore, meanwhile, was awarded the Player of the Match award before lifting another trophy: the 2023 AMOS Women's French Cup.

After five appearances at the tournament, Les Parisiennes finally get their hands on the AMOS Women's French Cup – and how! With new signings in top form, young academy players earning game time and a new tactical setup being deployed, competitive football now makes its return for Paris, with their next game coming on 10th September against Olympique Lyonnais in the Trophée des Championnes.