Sakina Karchaoui: 'A crucial game for the future'

Interviews

The Paris Saint-Germain women's team player talks about the upcoming matches of the club from the capital, starting with the D1 matchday 20 and the derby against Paris FC, this Sunday 7 May at 15:00 at the Stade Georges Lefèvre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Sakina, how do you feel after the injury you suffered a few weeks ago?

"It's never a happy moment when you get injured, but I was able to recharge mentally and physically. It gave me a chance to rest and I've come back well lately, especially for the Champions League. Unfortunately we were eliminated from that competition, but we still have the league and the Coupe de France."

As you said, there are several very important matches coming up. How is the group coping with this period?

"We have had a lot of time to prepare for the big games coming up. First of all there is the game against Paris FC, which will be crucial. It will be a crucial game for the future, we will have to take this match very seriously. To gain confidence before facing OL, winning these three points will be important. As professional footballers, these are matches that we look forward to. We have prepared well, we have had time to recover mentally and physically, so we can go into the game well prepared."

Paris FC are 4th in the standings, and we remember that the first game against them was very hard to win...

“Of course, they are playing for qualification for the Champions League, so they will give it their all to take part next year. We know this team, they have strength of character and physical strength too. They are good in the duels but we also have our weapons. We will have to follow our game plan and be good both tactically and physically. We've had time to prepare, so it's up to us to put our game together and perform as well as possible."

your tickets for the derby

The Coupe de France final is also approaching... What do you think of your performance in this competition?

"It's always a very nice competition, with surprises. It's an important competition for us, and it's one of our goals. A final has to be won, so we hope to keep this trophy at home. It's true that last year we won it, but the Lyonnaises will be as motivated as we are. So anything can happen. I think it's evenly balanced. They have a better record than us but we can beat them."

If they win, it would be the club's third title in three seasons. Does this show that Paris Saint-Germain are now at the top of women's football in France?

"We are one of the best teams in the world. We are a great team but today we have goals to achieve. Unfortunately we don't have the Champions League anymore, but there are other goals to achieve at the end of the season. So we will do everything to achieve them."

your tickets for the final

The final will be played in Orleans, the venue of the club's first game in the competition this season. Winning it there would be a nice touch!

"It's true that we know this stadium well, because we also played there with the French team. So we know the place and the pitch, even if I don't think that will have an impact on the result. In any case, it will be a good match that we will have to win."