2023-11-23 12:18:12
PSG plays at home this Thursday. But which home exactly? For its fifth match as “home”, the Parisian women’s section will discover its fourth stadium of the season. She hosted at the Parc des Princes (Lyon and Manchester United), at Léo-Lagrange de Poissy (match interrupted against Reims due to firecrackers thrown from outside the enclosure), at Georges-Lefèvre de Saint-Germain-en -Laye (the Loges camp) and here she is expected at Jean-Bouin, the usual den of Stade Français rugby players.
“We don’t have many references at home,” regrets Jocelyn Prêcheur, coach of the Parisiennes. We change often. But we will soon have a very specific setting where we will feel at home (Editor’s note: at the PSG Campus in Poissy from January). But I like this Jean-Bouin stadium, in a historic PSG district. We’ve been through a lot here. » Like a French champion title, the only one, in May 2021. Since then, Paris has sought to find continuity, regularity, zigzagging between obstacles.
New test this Thursday against Bayern Munich (6:45 p.m., DAZN), in front of around 4,000 spectators in Jean-Bouin’s approximately 19,000 seats. Defeated by a surprising Ajax (2-0) in Amsterdam last week, PSG no longer has the right to make mistakes in this group stage of the Champions League. Two defeats in two matches would place Jocelyn Prêcheur’s players in great danger while the European competition is part of their list of annual objectives.
“We must not be afraid,” summarizes Sakina Karchaoui, one of the PSG executives. We know it’s an important match, we have to perform. We didn’t recognize each other during the first half in Amsterdam. We know what we need to correct. » “Our collective is starting to take shape and if we show a conquering face, then I would be confident in our ability to achieve a good performance tomorrow,” assures Jocelyn Prêcheur. It’s our home and we have to take points. »
Already three defeats this season
Like changes of domicile, Paris has, like last year, largely renewed its workforce (8 arrivals, 7 departures). “There are small injuries, rotation in the team compositions,” recalls Jocelyn Prêcheur. But we have evolved well despite the changes. I also give playing time to young people in order to rest the executives and avoid them being overworked. The process takes a little longer but the adaptation goes quite well. “. Among the positive points: the integration of striker Tabitha Chawinga (6 goals in 8 games) or the return of Marie Katoto.
Negative side: a still feverish defense (10 goals conceded in 10 matches) like recruits Clare Hunt or Viola Calligaris and already three defeats on the clock (half of last year’s total), including two against rival Lyon . This Thursday again, the typical team will be missing important elements like Sandy Baltimore (shot) or Constance Picaud (wrist). As for Katoto, caution will be required on Jean-Bouin’s synthetic turf after 14 months of absence (cruciate knee ligament and meniscus). Especially since she is expected in the French team on Friday morning in Hervé Renard’s next list.
Far from a long quiet river for two and a half years (“Hamraoui affair”, internal rivalries, indictments, two changes of coaches, departure of Kadidiatou Diani…), the adventure of the women’s section of PSG runs after a some stability. That Jocelyn Prêcheur and the players have not yet found this season. The “snatch” victory against Fleury (2-1) on Sunday with a goal in the 96th minute from Jackie Groenen, however, had a positive effect on the mentality of the troops. “It was a good rehearsal,” summarizes the coach. A difficult, committed match, which is what we expect tomorrow (Thursday). »
The fact remains that Bayern Munich is, along with OL, the toughest opponent that Paris has faced since the start of the season. German champions, the Munich women are undefeated in 12 official matches.
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