Parisiennes keep up winning form at Dijon

Match reports

Paris Saint-Germain's Women's team beat Dijon by the smallest of margins on Saturday (0-1). Here's a look back at the encounter on Matchday 16 of the Arkéma Première Ligue.

Two weeks after their 4-1 victory over Montpellier at the Campus PSG, the Parisians returned to league action with a tricky trip to Burgundy. Facing Dijon, a surprise contender in the Arkéma Première Ligue play-off race, the capital club were keen to continue their run of four consecutive wins in all competitions and extend their lead over their opponents, who currently lie in fourth place and six points behind Paris.

Fabrice Abriel kept a similar line-up as against Montpellier last time out, making just two changes to his starting eleven. Mary Earps was in goal for Paris, supported by a standard defence made up of Jade Le Guilly and Tara Elimbi-Gilbert on the flanks and the Dudek - De Almeida partnership in the centre. In midfield, Joe Echegini was partnered by Griedge Mbock in a double-pivot, while Grace Geyoro played a more attacking role. Sakina Karchaoui and Jackie Groenen kept their places on the wings, while Marie-Antoinette Katoto returned to the centre of attack.

From the outset, Paris had total control of the ball and gave Dijon little opportunity to build play. The first foray into the Burgundy box came from Joe Echegini, but she was too isolated to find a breakthrough (12'). Struggling to find a way past Sébastien Joseph's team on the ground, the Rouge et Bleu decided to add some variety to their play with floating crosses from Jade Le Guilly (16‘) and Sakina Karchaoui (25’), but to little effect.

The pressure grew more intense as the minutes went by, and Parisian attempts rained down on the Burgundy goal. With just moments to go before the end of the first half, Griedge Mbock's effort from just outside the area struck the Dijon post (44'). Despite their total domination, Fabrice Abriel's side returned to the changing rooms without managing to make the breakthrough, but with a clear determination to break the Burgundy deadlock in the second half (45': 0-0).

Back on the pitch, Paris were soon showing better intentions and a more assertive attitude, but they were unable to find the net. While Jade le Guilly's low cross was saved at close range by the Dijon defence (48'), the biggest moment of the match came from Sakina Karchaoui's pinpoint cross for Joe Echegini. The Paris No6 was off balance and her first-time shot flew wide (57').

With his side lacking ruthlessness in front of goal, Fabrice Abriel made his first tactical change on the hour mark. Merveille Kanjinga came on to make her debut for Paris Saint-Germain, replacing Jade Le Guilly (63'). The Parisians were now more attack-minded and came close to opening the scoring thanks to Sakina Karchaoui, who was perfectly played in by Grace Geyoro on the edge of the area, only to be denied by the DFCO goalkeeper (70').

Dijon were finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the pace set by Fabrice Abriel's side, who continued to increase their intensity. Merveille Kanjinga, introduced a few minutes earlier, got herself off to a flying start and was soon making an impact. After some superb work on the right wing, the new Parisian signing sent in a floating cross for Tara Elimbi Gilbert, whose volley beat Katriina Talaslahti (0-1, 81').

Finally in the lead, Paris remained solid despite Dijon's late surge. Fabrice Abriel's side dominated throughout and showed patience and determination to secure a crucial 0-1 victory in Burgundy. As well as leaving Dijon nine points behind, the win means the capital club have provisionally moved into second place in the Arkéma Première Ligue, ahead of Paris FC.

What's next for the Rouge et Bleu 

After the Arkéma Première Ligue, it's time for the Coupe de France! Next Saturday, Fabrice Abriel's players are on the road again to take on AS Saint-Etienne. The defending champions will be hoping to reach the final for the fourth season running and maintain their hopes of a third Coupe de France trophy.