2023-11-23 12:01:05
By taking to the pitch at Stamford Bridge stadium this Wednesday for a final rehearsal, the girls of Paris FC were able to concretely measure that they had entered a new world. Very far from the single-stand stadiums or the sometimes improbable lawns of D1 Arkema, it is in the lair of FC Chelsea that they will play their second group D match of the Champions League this Thursday. “It’s certain that the facilities and the stadium are a little flashier than at Charléty but we are first and foremost there to play a Champions League match,” says coach Sandrine Soubeyrand. “It will give us great memories but we didn’t come here to visit Stamford Bridge,” says captain Gaëtane Thiney. We first want to express ourselves and play our game.”
Despite a large domination, the women of Paris FC lost at home (1-2) against the Swedes of Häcken during the first day on Wednesday November 15. To continue dreaming in this competition, they will have to achieve a new feat at Chelsea, the group favorite with Real Madrid (the two teams parted in a 2-2 draw on the first day). Unlike the match against Häcken where they were eagerly awaited, the Parisiennes are in the same position as before facing Arsenal and Wolfsburg, that of spoilsport. A status that is easier to assume?
“In the heads of girls, it is perhaps easier to have this outsider status,” confirms Gaëtane Thiney. But it was especially the people who made us favorites against Häcken because we had eliminated Arsenal and Wolfsburg. We knew that the Swedes were an experienced team and we never considered ourselves favorites. We remain outsiders in this competition that we are discovering. But we want to show what we can do. »
“We have to play our luck to the fullest”
Paris FC’s task nevertheless promises to be complicated against a team which is still undefeated this season and is leader in the championship (6 wins, 1 draw). “It’s a very strong team in counter-pressing, which defends quite low but which is capable of projecting itself very quickly in attack,” explains Sandrine Soubeyrand. We tried to analyze their game and put a plan in place. The victories against Arsenal and Wolfsburg should give us confidence. The objective is to go there and play our game, being a little more effective offensively and defensively compared to the match against Häcken. We must use this match like the one against Lyon (1-6). The high level comes down to details. But we also want to have fun. There should be no regrets. We have to play our luck to the fullest. »
If Paris FC is complete, the staff must manage an unprecedented sequence. This match against Chelsea will be the 4th in 12 days for the current 2nd in D1 Arkema. Between the A, the U23s and the foreigners, there are also around ten players from the squad who have also been called upon by their selections in recent weeks. Sunday evening during the 7th victory in 8 league matches against Bordeaux (1-0), Sandrine Soubeyrand also rotated her squad.
“We have to manage playing time,” concludes the Paris FC coach. It’s November and we’ve already played almost half the games of a normal season. But these are rich people’s problems. I would rather find myself in this situation than only playing championship matches every 15 days. We worked well during the preparation and I think we are still in pretty good physical shape despite the sequence of matches. »
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