Paris beaten by Le Havre in a friendly

While some of their team-mates are at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, our Women's team are back out on the pitch. The first match of pre-season for Paris Saint-Germain's Women's team took place at the Angela Davis Sports Complex in Alizay, in the Eure region of France, pitting our Rouge et Bleu against D1 Arkema side Havre Athletic Club. Promoted to the top flight at the start of the 2022-2023 season, Les Normandes enjoyed a fine season last year, finishing ninth to stay in the top flight.

Gérard Prêcheur opted to start with Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in goal for the first friendly of the summer. New recruits Nicole Payne and Ana Vitoria also made their debuts in their new colours. Product of the club's youth system, Sandy Baltimore also started and captained the team for the first time.

The first half saw our Parisians suffer somewhat in the early stages. Les Havraises were in control of the ball for most of the first half, and the most clear-cut chances fell to the side from Normandy. However, our goalkeeper, who was imperious from set-pieces, made an impressive save from Le Havre's first shot. On the quarter-hour mark, following a fine attack led by Sandy Baltimore and Hawa Sangare, the number 15 hit the crossbar.

Another attack followed from the two Titis, accompanied by newcomer Ana Vitoria on the left. The Brazilian crossed and found Baltimore on the other side, alone in front of the goalkeeper: the captain of the day scored the first goal of the match (1-0, 34'). Five minutes later, HAC had a chance from a free-kick from 30 metres out. Les Havraises equalised with a fine volley from the edge of the area (1-1, 40'). Then, thanks to a defensive error, Les Normandes were awarded a penalty, which Le Havre captain Deja Davis converted just before half-time (1-2, 43').

Trailing 2-1 at the start of the second half, Les Rouge et Bleu went toe to toe with Les Normandes. The two sides alternated periods of possession, but failed to find the net. With Ana Vitoria and Nicole Payne taken off, HAC had a great opportunity. Striker Chancelle Effa Effa found herself one-on-one with the Parisian goalkeeper, and despite an initial save, the ball fell to the head of the Le Havre striker, who made it 1-3.

After a number of changes, it was a very young side that took the field for Paris Saint-Germain, with many players featuring from the Club's youth academy. They put their heart and soul into the game in an attempt to claw their way back into the match, but to no avail, as the side from Normandy were well set-up and defensively solid. The final whistle blew at Alizay, with Les Rouge et Bleu losing 3-1.

Despite the defeat, Gérard Prêcheur's players were able to learn a great deal, and the young players had the opportunity to get a taste of first team football. Les Parisiennes can now turn their attention to their next pre-season match against PSV Eindhoven. A match that will see the return of a number of internationals against the runners-up of last season's Dutch league, in order to prepare for the return of the D1 Arkema on 16 September against Girondins de Bordeaux.