How to recover from this defeat as soon as possible? This is the problem of PSG, this Wednesday evening after the success of Wolfsburg (0-1) in this quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, in front of nearly 18,000 people at the Parc des Princes. Because the Parisiennes should take a few days to digest this setback, largely influenced by the arbitration decisions. More consistent in the game than its opponent, Paris deserved better. At least not to lose this way. See you from Thursday March 30 in Germany. It will take a feat to reach the semi-finals.
The match: arbitration difficult to digest
Five decisive minutes, where the whistle of the English Ms. Welch gave a big boost to Wolfsburg, which was unable to develop its football against Parisians in place defensively. The first decision comes in the 54th minute. Sakina Karchaoui is broke in the box after a knee from Hegering. The penalty makes sense. But, called by the VAR, the referee reverses his decision.
59th minute now. On a German corner, Elisa De Almeida sees the ball hit her off arm. Ms Welch sees nothing but is called again by VAR. This time, the penalty seems logical. But the referee decides on a second yellow against the Parisian defender, synonymous with exclusion after a warning received in the first period for dispute. The incomprehension of the Parisiennes and the staff is total.
Annoyance invaded Gérard Prêcheur all the more as his PSG had performed almost perfectly so far. At least on the defensive level, by muzzling the Germans (the penalty converted by Janssen is their first shot on target). Offensively, PSG, on the other hand, lacked sharpness and efficiency on their only opportunities (7th, 32nd, 33rd).
All eyes were on Kadidiatou Diani, who started this match in a complicated personal context. PSG’s best player didn’t show anything and could have opened the scoring in the first period. Had to open the scoring, even if this penalty on Karchaoui had been granted. Les Rouge et Bleu now have eight days to recover and achieve the feat in Germany. See you on March 30 at 6:45 p.m.
Player: Elisa De Almeida
Present at a press conference on Tuesday, the defender had noted “her progress” this season under the orders of Gérard Prêcheur. And until his exclusion (61st), we could not give him wrong. Aggressive, in the good sense of the term, she had twice saved her teammates, first after an error by her goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi (11th), then on an excellent intervention in the area (26th). His duo in central defense with his captain Grace Geyoro, usually midfielder, worked well.
But the decision of referee Ms. Welch to sanction her with a yellow card for a hand in the box sent Elisa De Almeida back to the locker room at the hour mark. Suspended for the return, she can only make up for it by semi-final, if ever her teammates manage to win next week.
The figure: 17,465
This is the good news of the evening. For the 13th appearance of the women’s section at the Parc des Princes, 17,465 spectators took their places in the stands. The Auteuil bend was there, encouraging the Parisiennes for more than 90 minutes.
Marquinhos, captain of the pennant team, was also present at the Park, as was President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and representatives of the handball section such as Thierry Omeyer and Elohim Prandi.
MATCH SHEET
PSG – Wolfsbourg : 0-1
Half-time: 0-0.
Spectators: 17,465.
Arbitrator : And. Welch (Ang).
Buts. Wolfsbourg : Janssen (62e, s.p.).
Warnings. PSG: Groenen (27th), De Almeida (37th, 61st), Karchaoui (61st) Fazer (85th). Wolfsburg: Brand (75th).
Expulsion : PSG : De Almeida (61e).
PSG: Bouhaddi – Lawrence, De Almeida, Geyoro (cap.), Karchaoui – Jean-François, Hamraoui – Baltimore (Vangsgaard, 67th), Bachmann (Fazer, 67th), Groenen – Diani. entry : Preacher.
Wolfsbourg: Frohms – Hendrich, Hegering, Janssen, Rauch – Oberdorf (Jonsdottir, 79e), Lattwein – Huth (cap.), Roord (Brand, 73e), Popp – Pajor (Bremer, 89e). Entr. : Stroot.
