The Parisians continue their fine form in Montpellier
Paris Saint-Germain's Women's team beat Montpellier HSC 3-1 at the Stade Bernard Gasset on Sunday 24 March on Matchday 18 of the D1 Arkema. Here's a look back at the match.
A week after their resounding 5-0 victory over AS Saint-Etienne at the PSG Campus, Les Parisiennes were back in action in the league, this time travelling to Hérault to take on Montpellier HSC. On Matchday 18 of the D1 Arkema, Les Rouge et Bleu were aiming to pick up another three points to round off an ideal week, four days after a 1-2 win over Häcken in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
For the match, Jocelyn Prêcheur lined up a central defensive pairing of Elisa De Almeida and Thiniba Samoura, with Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in goal. On the flanks, Sakina Karchaoui played on the left of the defence, while Jade Le Guilly was on the right. In midfield, Korbin Albert was joined by Laurina Fazer and captain Grace Geyoro. Up front, Marie-Antoinette Katoto led the line, with Tabitha Chawinga on the left wing and Amalie Vangsgaard on the right.
From the start of the game, the Rouge et Bleu took control of the ball, with the aim of quickly putting the Montpellier rearguard under pressure. They did just that after a cross from Laurina Fazer, which was pounced on by Jade Le Guilly to open the scoring with her right foot (0-1, 10'). It was a perfect start to the match for the capital club, but it was too early to relieve the pressure and the away side's control continued.
The Hérault team were happy to sit back in an attempt to stem the Parisian attacks and not be beaten a second time. Just before the break, MHSC finally managed to get into the Parisian area with a first real opportunity on goal from a Faustine Robert header which missed the target (41'). It was enough to pique the pride of the Rouge et Bleu, who immediately reacted with a powerful left-footed strike from Korbin Albert: the American international gave the opposing goalkeeper no chance and doubled Paris' lead before heading into the break (0-2, 43').
In the second half, Les Parisiennes were once again clinical from the outset and were quickly able to add a third. The decisive Laurina Fazer played a ball in behind for Tabitha Chawinga, who rounded Océane Deslandes before unleashing a low left-footed shot across goal (0-3, 49'). Stunned, Montpellier were unable to really get close to the Parisian goal. It was not until the hour mark when Nerilia Mondesir's attempt missed the target (68'), before Maelys Mpomé forced a save out of Katarzyna Kiedrzynek (71').
Les Parisiennes' cutting edge nearly saw them increase their tally when Chawinga played in Sandy Baltimore, whose powerful right-footed shot failed to hit the target (73'). Towards the end of the game, the home team caused more problems thanks to the introduction of Léa Khelifi and the activity of Kethna Louis. It was the latter who allowed the Héraultaise to reduce the deficit, with a volley inside the Parisian penalty area (1-3, 89'). But it wasn't enough to worry the capital club, who won 3 goals to 1 and secured another victory in style.
Les Parisiennes will now turn their attention once again to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League and the return match against BK Häcken, who they will face next Thursday March 28 at the Parc des Princes (9 pm). A crucial European meeting with a place in the last four of the competition at stake.