The last international break of 2023 begins with a smile for the PSG players. Before joining their selection this Monday, the Parisiennes beat Montpellier (4-1) on Sunday at the Georges-Lefèvre stadium in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A new victory in the championship, the 6th in seven matches. With two games behind, which will be played in January and February, against its rivals Paris FC or OL, PSG still consolidates its third place in D1.
The afternoon started perfectly under the rays of sunshine at the Loges camp with an early goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto, recalled to the French team after a year and a half of absence and a serious injury to her right knee. With her head, the attacker thought she was launching her teammates towards an ideal scenario and a big victory. But the offensive machine stalled as the minutes of the first period progressed. A good ten clear chances should have given Paris a significant advantage at the break.
But neither Katoto (9th, 30th, 33rd), nor Martens (16th), nor Geyoro (24th), nor Chawinga (26th, 32nd), nor Karchaoui (39th) managed to double the lead. The latter even missing a penalty that she herself caused. Conversely, Montpellier took advantage of individual errors from Hunt (14th) and a harsh hand whistled against De Almeida (26th) to equalize on a penalty by Robert (27th). By insisting, PSG was still rewarded at the end of the half thanks to a goal from Geyoro (42nd) in the area.
“It’s stuck in my head because of having so many opportunities,” sighs coach Jocelyn Prêcheur, relieved by the victory. But we continued to attack. The start of the second period was more balanced. We scored from a set piece, which is an area of satisfaction. There are positive things. » In a 3-4-1-2 (or 5-2-1-2) system, Jocelyn Prêcheur’s team found numerous solutions against the outnumbered Montpellier team.
“What I liked was the offensive force it gives off,” explains the technician. We didn’t want to go back three months with our offensive problems and a team that didn’t attack at 100%. They responded this evening. On a tactical level, I wanted to relieve Taibtha (Chawinga) and Marie (Katoto) of defensive tasks. They were able to concentrate on offensive tasks. » After the break, however, the match was poorer in terms of chances. At the same time, Kiedrzynek made the necessary saves to stop the MHSC (41st, 45th, 53rd, 90th).
From a corner, Katoto manages to put the ball back into the feet of Vangsgaard, who scores from close range (66th). 3-1 for Paris, then 4-1 at the very end of the match thanks to Chawinga, the best rookie of the season so far. Under the eyes of Hervé Renard, coach of the Bleues, Marie-Antoinette Katoto shone. The two will meet again this Monday afternoon in Clairefontaine. For PSG, see you on December 10 for a trip to Le Havre.
PSG: Kiedrzynek – Samoura, Hunt, De Almeida – Vangsgaard, Groenen (Fazer, 86th), Geyoro (cap.) (Albert, 86th), Karchaoui – Martens (Bachmann, 67th) – Chawinga, Katoto (Le Guilly, 67th). Entr. J. Preacher.
