Parisians stumble against Barcelona in the third place play-off

Three days after an encouraging performance against Manchester United, the Parisians were up against FC Barcelona for another high-profile match to decide the third placed team in the AMOS Women's French Cup in Toulouse. Gérard Prêcheur selected a starting line-up almost identical to the previous one, with Constance Picaud in goal in place of Lydia Williams. Soufiya Ngueleu was leading the attack, supported by Oriane Jean-François and Ramona Bachmann.

By rubbing shoulders with another of the continent's best sides, Les Parisiennes have taken another step forward in their summer preparations. Technically and athletically, Gérard Prêcheur's players are continuing to grow in strength. In this respect, they can pride themselves on having offered consistent performances and showing a lot of character.

It must be said that the nature of this match was quite different, against a pressing and attacking opponent. Paris Saint-Germain were under pressure from the offset, with Paulina Dudek making a block in the opening minutes (6'). Constance Picaud had plenty to do against Geyse (3'), Vicky Lopez (23') and Rolfö (35').

The Parisians responded with some of their own attacks. They managed to break the deadlock from Ramona Bachmann's free-kick, with Soufiya Ngueleu picking up the ball to finish decisively (0-1, 29'). Barcelona equalised before the break with a goal from Geyse (1-1, 38').

The second half was just as exciting. Paulina Dudek and her team-mates were solid at the back and did not let their concentration drop. Gérard Prêcheur rotated by bringing on the returning international players. Kadidiatou Diani, Grace Geyoro, Sakina Karchaoui and Sandy Baltimore all entered the game and applied a tremendous amount of pressure in the last quarter of an hour. The energetic Kadi Diani caused the dismissal of León (78'), before Engen saved her attempted lob off the line (80'). With the score unchanged, this entertaining match finally went to penalties. Barcelona had the last word with the winning penalty converted by Bronze.

The Parisians will be back on the pitch very soon, on Tuesday, with a final friendly against another Catalan team, FC Levante Las Planas. This will be a final rehearsal before the Trophée des Championnes against Olympique Lyonnais, the first big match of a season full of promise.