The first place operation failed this Thursday evening in London during the 6th and final day of the Champions League group stage. Defeats 1-0 in the first leg against Chelsea, the Parisiennes had to win at Stamford Bridge to return to equality on points (13) in group A and above all to score at least twice to make up for the special goal difference.
Difficult draw in sight for the quarters
Despite a good start to the match and in particular a superb long shot from Kadidiatou Diani on the bar of Musovic (14th), PSG logically bowed (3-0) against a contender for final victory in the competition. The English made the difference in two stages, at the best time, that is to say before the break and after the break. They opened the scoring with a 20m shot from Sam Kerr (1-0, 42′) then broke through by Lauren James after a missed raise from Bouhaddi (2-0, 55′). This same Lauren James, little sister of the English international Reece James, increases the bill in stride for the Blues (3-0, 62nd).
This heavy defeat in London, without Ashley Lawrence (authorized to return to Canada earlier for the holidays), Estelle Cascarino and Jackie Groenen (sick) but with Sakina Karchaoui, who was able to join her teammates on Wednesday after an administrative problem, slightly tarnishes the balance sheet for the month of December hitherto perfect for the Parisiennes with a success (0-1) in Lyon in the league and as a bonus the place of leader then a victory at the Parc des Princes against Real Madrid (2-1) in C1 synonymous with qualifying for the quarter-finals.
In the last four of the competition since the 2019-2020 season, PSG will this time not be one of the favorites for final victory next spring. This second place in group A opens the doors to a difficult draw for the quarter-finals. The Parisiennes will face, in fact, the Germans of Wolfsburg, the English of Arsenal or the Spanish of FC Barcelona. The draw is scheduled for February 10. PSG will play their quarter-final first leg at home at the Jean-Bouin stadium, not at the Parc des Princes because the calendar is incompatible with that of the men.