Victory in Montpellier gets the Parisians off to a flying start!
Paris Saint-Germain's women's team won 3-1 at Montpellier on Matchday 1 of the Arkema Premier League.
Just a few days after their 3-1 defeat in Turin in the first leg of Round 2 of the UEFA Women's Champions League play-offs, Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their league season with Round 1’s headline clash away to Montpellier.
Fabrice Abriel's side were aiming to bolster their confidence ahead of the return leg against Juventus on Thursday. And Katoto was the first to shine, bearing down on goal, but PSG's all-time top scorer was hampered by a back-pedalling defender and couldn’t find a way past Lerond (8').
The Montpellier ‘keeper was put to the test a few moments later, deflecting Geyoro's side-footed effort from a good position (14'). But ‘MAK’ did not hesitate to turn Jade Le Guilly's free-kick into the opening goal. The cross from the right found the head of Katoto, who beat the onrushing Lerond to complete a goal 100% made in PSG's youth academy (0-1, 20').
Echegini then tested the Montpellier goalkeeper's gloves with a long-range shot that Lerond had difficulty deflecting to safety (35'). And it was the captain who was responsible for making a statement shortly before the break. Played in with a defnece-splitting pass, she hit an angled shot past Lerond, who could only watch as the ball went in off post (0-2, 44').
Ahead at the break and in control, the Parisians had the excellent Mary Earps to thank for maintaining their two-goal cushion at the start of the second period. The best goalkeeper at the 2023 World Cup pulled off a masterful save from a Montpellier corner, tipping Louis’ goal-bound overhead effort onto the bar with a stunning reflex save (50’).
Insatiable, the Parisians continued to push forward to extend their lead. Geyoro almost did just that after a fine one-two with Romée Leuchter, who had come off the bench earlier, but her first-time effort went wide (61'). Montpellier were out of the game after the hour-mark and even conceded a third goal - a marvellous strike from Korbin Albert, whose fierce shot from the right flank lobbed the out-of-position Lerond (0-3, 86'). Montpellier narrowed the gap in stoppage time, but Paris held out to claim their first win of the season.
It was a victory that boosted their confidence and set them on the right track in the league - one that we hope will be followed by many more, starting with Thursday's eagerly-awaited play-off return leg against Juventus in Paris, live on PSG TV Premium.