She admits feeling “a hint of disappointment”. Without the health crisis linked to Covid-19 and the suspension from competition, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin would have had to face PSG this Saturday, during the quarter-finals of the Champions League women’s version, with the Arsenal jersey. A club where the goalkeeper of the France team, 28, had been playing for two seasons. A disappointment, however, mitigated by the fact that she will take part in this Final 8 with her new club Atlético Madrid (against Barcelona this Friday evening). She could also find the Parisiennes … in the final. She delivers her look at the duel between PSG and Arsenal.
“England is a land of football for men, but also for girls,” assures Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. We don’t necessarily know it in France, but there is a real football culture and there are emblematic clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City or Arsenal. I expect an open game. Both clubs have their chance. I watched the Coupe de France final against Lyon and Paris showed a lot of qualities despite the defeat (0 to 0, 4-3 tab on August 9). »
“I was born in Lyon…, I cannot support PSG”
“The Parisiennes had a good match and they took the opportunity to prepare well for the meeting in the Champions League,” continues the goalkeeper. I don’t want to name any names, but there is quality and experienced players on both sides. It will be a nice shock and I can see an English match, with a game that goes from one side to the other, a box-to-box. “
A favorite? “My heart will be with Arsenal, I played there for two seasons, I know the people. We experienced a lot of emotions. The first year we looked for qualification for the Champions League … Unfortunately, Arsenal will not play in the Champions League next season due to the premature end of the championship (Editor’s note: the club finished in 3rd place), it’s frustrating for me to end the adventure on this feeling of unfinished business, but I imagine that it will increase the motivation of the players tenfold. I know them. I am French and I have friends at PSG, but I was born in Lyon and there is a rivalry between the two clubs, I am sorry but I cannot support PSG (laughs). »
