Overview
PSG is not getting used to playing in Europe. Coach Olivier Echouafni has a lot of experience, particularly in the 42-year-old Formiga, but apart from the timeless Brazilian, only two players (midfielder Nadia Nadim and goalkeeper Ariana Criscione) are in their 30s.
The core of the players are between the ages of 22 and 25, which has led to excitement in the capital. The Parisiennes are talented but lacking experience, as they demonstrated when they lost the Coupe de France final to Lyon on penalties.
Echouafni prefers his team to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, depending on the players at his disposal. PSG have a solid defense led by captain Irene Paredes, often ably assisted by Paulina Dudek. Echouafni opted for Ashley Lawrence as a right-back from the restart to replace Hanna Glas and Eve Périsset at the start. In midfield, Formiga is still a formidable asset with his ball recovery and alongside 23-year-old Grace Geyoro.
In attack, the Parisian potential is impressive with the speed and skill of Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto terrorizing opposing defenses. Those two often form a lethal attack formation alongside Nadim. “We want to continue what we did last season,” Echouafni said recently. “The players know what is expected of them: to win and play in style. We have a group of quality and good players who have joined us. We also have two wild cards, Signe Bruun and Sara Däbritz, who has recovered from an injury. “
Which players have signed the club this summer and can use them from the quarter-finals?
PSG has strengthened this summer and the biggest name arrival is undoubtedly Swiss Ramona Bachmann (29) who arrives after three seasons at Chelsea. “He will bring the group experience, his individual quality, his technique, his speed and his eye for the goal,” said Echouafni. He also secured the return of goalkeeper Charlotte Voll to replace Katarzyna Kiedrzynek. Bénédicte Simon, on the other hand, compensates for Périsset’s departure for Bordeaux, even if he is unlikely to be in the starting XI.
Head coach
48-year-old Echouafni’s first job in women’s football was right at the top: with the French national team. He was in charge for a year before being replaced by Corinne Diacre after losing to England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017. He rebounded quickly and was named PSG manager in 2018. He likes to see young players progress and he wants his team to make him express his offensive minded style of play on the pitch. He likes 4-3-3 because it “brings density” to the center. He’s innovative, though, and he’s not attached to any particular lineup.
Star player
Since joining PSG in 2017, Diani has continued to grow as a player. At the club level she has become increasingly consistent and is now a key player for the national team as well. Diani has just signed a new contract which keeps her at PSG until 2023 and which has made her one of the highest paid players in the league with a salary of € 450,000 (£ 405,000) per year.
Did you know?
Defender and captain Paredes has joined the Common Goal movement, initiated by Juan Mata, which invites players to donate 1% of their salary to a charity of their choice. It was her national teammate, Ainhoa Tirapu, who persuaded her to join the initiative. He then introduced goalkeeper Arianna Criscione to the project and since then the Canadian Jordyn Huitema has also joined.
Which player could surprise everyone in Spain?
In the two official matches played since the second half, Geyoro proved to be in excellent form. The French international is a skilled player of the game and does not hesitate to move forward. She improved in front of goal and scored the seven best in her career last season. “I worked a lot on finishing. The manager insisted on improving that area of my game, “he said.
What is the realistic goal of the PSG in the WCL?
Frustrated with having finished the championship in second place and then losing the Coupe de France to OL (0-0 in extra time, 3-4 on penalties), the Parisians are highly motivated to end the season with victory in the Champions League. It’s a difficult question, but not an impossible one.
European pedigree
PSG have never won the Champions League but have participated in two finals, losing 2-1 to Frankfurt in 2015 and on penalties to Lyon in 2017.
