The courageous Parisiennes fall to a last-gasp defeat

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Olivier Echouafni's side lost against Olympique Lyonnais in the final of the Coupe de France (0-0, 4-3 on penalties).

On the pitch at Auxerre, despite the 40° heat, the storms and the power cuts, Les Parisiennes gave their all in order to try to beat Les Lyonnaises, but fell to defeat after an electrifying penalty shootout. All of this, in front of 4,500 spectators, including Leonardo and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

THE FEATURES OF THE GAME 

Just one week after beating Les Bordelaises in the semi-final (1-2), Les Parisiennes came up against a Lyon machine in the final of the Coupe de France, on the pitch of L’Abbé Deschamps.

For the occasion, Olivier Echouafni began the match with an incredibly attacking starting eleven, with Grace Geyoro, Kadidiatou Diani, Sandy Baltimore, led by Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Jordyn Huitema up-front.

Although the first warning sign of the game came from Lyon and a header from Wendy Renard, after Amel Majri had won a free-kick (8'), it was a power cut that really marked the first half, just two minutes later. With the stadium plunged into darkness and the rain hammering down, the two sides had to wait for fifteen minutes, before the lights were restored and they were able to return to the pitch.

Against an incredibly well-organised Lyon side, Les Parisiennes played to their strengths: counter-attacks and some excellent solidarity in defence, inspired by Diani who slalomed in the Lyon box to set up Huitema (12'), or even Grace Geyoro, who showed real commitment at the breakdown. Neither Majri's efforts (23', 36'), nor a solo run from Parris (40'), or a double chance for Cascarino (41') could really trouble the club from the capital in the first half. 

The same set-up began the second half, and the two sides traded blows, but neither could make the difference. Making the most of the fatigue that spread across the pitch, Les Parisiennes pushed on to look for the opener, and had a huge chance when Kadidiatou Diani started a move, that was picked up by Marie-Antoinette Katoto and then the lively Sara Däbritz, who caused problems for the Lyon defence (84'). The play moved from one end to another... but without success.

It was therefore a penalty shootout that would decide the winner, but Les Parisiennes were unable to replicate the feat of their male counterparts (4-3 on penalties)...

Paris Saint-Germain will now switch their focus to their next challenge on 22 August, in the quarter finals of the Women’s Champions League against Arsenal.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: 0-0 (4-3 on penalties)
Coupe de France - Final
Stade de L’Abbé Deschamps

LYON: Bouhaddi, Bronze, Buchanan, Renard, Kumagai, Henry, Majri, Maroszan, Cascarino, Parris.
Coach: Jean-Luc Vasseur

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Endler – Lawrence (Khelifi), Dudek, Paredes, Moroni – Geyoro, Formiga (Däbritz, 57'), Diani – Huitema (Nadim, 73'), Baltimore (Bachmann, 73'), Katoto (Bruun, 93').
Coach: Olivier Echouafni.