The Rouge et Bleu lose on penalties to Paris FC
In a stifling match, Paris Saint-Germain lost cruelly in the derby (0-0, 4-5 pens). Here's a look back at the highlights of the Coupe de France final.
The Parisiennes were on a mission this Saturday to win their first trophy of the season. Captain Paulina Dudek spoke before the match of a group “highly motivated and looking forward to this match”. In the league this season, the two clubs from the capital played out two draws (1-1 in the first match, 0-0 in the return fixture). In this cup final derby, the Paris Saint-Germain coach started Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in goal, behind a back four comprising Tara Elimbi Gilbert, Griedge Mbock, Paulina Dudek and Elisa De Almeida. Grace Geyoro, Korbin Albert and Jackie Groenen formed the Parisian midfield, while Merveille Kanjinga and Crystal Dunn, on the wings, supported Romée Leuchter up front.
The first half started without any shots on target, but Paris FC did have two good chances. As for the Rouge et Bleu, they quickly showed their desire to dominate the game. After 27 minutes, Gaetane Thiney thought she had scored the first goal of the game, but was flagged offside. Moments later, Korbin Albert had Paris Saint-Germain's best chance of the game at her feet, but although she had beaten Nnadozie to the ball, she failed to hit the target. That moment of brilliance marked the start of a fine attacking period for Fabrice Abriel's side, with several hopeful situations. Both teams went into the break without troubling the scoreboard, with everything still to play for in this very evenly-matched game.
The start of the second half was marked by a fine save from Katarzyna Kiedrzynek from a Kessya Bussy shot (46'). Grace Geyoro then came close to opening the scoring in a one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper, but her shot went just over the crossbar. Romée Leuchter, who was slightly offside, then had her goal disallowed after a fine pass from Grace Geyoro (69'). Sakina Karchaoui, who had come on as a substitute a few minutes earlier, made the difference on the right, but failed to hit the target after a nicely-struck shotb: another interesting attacking phase for the Parisiennes! The physically superior, Paris Saint-Germain continued their attacks into the final minutes of the match (86'). Kate pulled off a decisive third save at the very end of the match (90') to keep her team in the match. As was the case in the league, neither team managed to take the lead, and the two clubs from the capital went into a penalty shoot-out!
It was a tense affair right to the end, with Paris Saint-Germain scoring four of their six attempts, which gave their opponents victory at the Stade de l'Épopée.
upcoming matches
Paris Saint-Germain host FC Nantes on Wednesday at 5pm in the final match of the regular Arkema Première Ligue season at the Campus PSG. The match will give Fabrice Abriel's players the chance to prepare for another match against Paris FC in the play-off semi-finals on Sunday 11th May at the Parc des Princes.