The Parisians lose despite their best efforts
Paris Saint-Germain were beaten by Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes (1-2), in the second leg of the UEFA Women Champions League semi-final. Here's a look back at the game.
Six days after their defeat in Lyon in the first leg, the Parisians were back in the most beautiful of competitions this Saturday in another 100% French encounter. Didier Ollé-Nicolle and his players had no option but to win. Self-sacrifice was the key word to secure this qualification for the Women's Champions League final and write a new page in the history of the Rouge & Bleu. The Parisian coach lined up a 4-3-3 starting line-up for the occasion, identical to the one that started in Lyon.
This prestigious return leg had started brightly for the Parisians, as they showed incredible determination. From the very start, Paris put their foot on the ball and tried to stifle Lyon. After a period of pressure from Paris, Lyon's first flashes of brilliance came when Ada Hegerberg headed in a cross from Selma Bacha into the top corner (0-1, 14').
However, the Parisians tried to turn the tide with a number of chances, from Kadidiatou Diani (21'), Sandy Baltimore (33') and Ashley Lawrence (38'). The Gones worked hard and the Parisian goalkeeper Barbora Votikova was crucial to deny a 2-on-1 (25'), to stay in the game. Paris went into the break two goals behind.
Back on the pitch at the Porte d'Auteuil, Didier Ollé-Nicolle made two changes to the team. Charlotte Voll replaced Barbora Votikova in goal and Ramona Bachmann took the place of Laurina Fazer. The Rouge et Bleu showed their intentions and after several saves by the Lyon goalkeeper, Paris finally found the net through Marie-Antoinette Katoto! After a scramble in the Lyon area, the club's all-time top scorer recovered the ball and put it in the back of the net brilliantly, enough to make the Parc des Princes erupt (1-1, 62')!
The Parisian club pushed to take the lead, as Sakina Karchaoui's one-on-one was fantastically saved by Endler (76'). But despite their determination, it was not enough for the Parisians, who conceded a second goal, once again from a header, this time scored by Wendy Renard (1-2, 83').
The scoreline remained the same until the final whistle, so Didier Ollé-Nicolle's team's European adventure is over. Our Rouge et Bleu will travel to Bordeaux on Saturday 7 May before playing the final of the Coupe de France on Sunday 15 May against Yzeure.