Twenty-one matches that the women’s section of PSG has not lost. A series started after November 23 and a setback conceded in the group stage of the Champions League against Bayern Munich at the Jean-Bouin stadium (0-1).
Since then, the team coached by Jocelyn Prêcheur has never set foot on the synthetic turf of the Stade Français rugby players’ home and has launched a machine with still imperfect cogs but which is moving forward quickly. This Thursday evening against BK Häcken (9 p.m., DAZN) in the quarter-final return of the European Cup, they have the opportunity to confirm their momentum and reach the semi-final, which would be their 7th accession to this stage of the competition in ten seasons.
“I don’t want to be a killjoy about this current series. I’m happy not to lose. But we haven’t done anything yet, smiles Jocelyn Prêcheur. We have not yet qualified for the semi-finals, far from it. Qualification will depend on a great performance from the players on Thursday evening. We are in the Coupe de France final (Editor’s note: May 4 against Fleury 91) but it is not won. We took an option for second place in the league but there are still four matches and play-offs… I am relying on our good dynamic, which underlines the positive development of the team. The girls work, the group lives well. But concretely, we haven’t done anything yet. »
An important reminder of the facts for the Parisian coach. Especially since he has just lost, in one week, three important players to injury: Jackie Groenen, Lieke Martens and Clare Hunt, absent “from three weeks to more than a month”. For the reception of the Swedes, PSG will also be without the young Thiniba Samoura in defense, suspended, without Oriane Jean-François and Paulina Dudek, long-injured, and Ramona Bachmann, who must still join the United States.
Finally, watch out for the yellow cards for Sakina Karchaoui and Élisa de Almeida, who risk suspension for the semi-final first leg. “They are alerted but it must not be an obsession,” warns Prêcheur.
To win in front of the 12,000 people expected at the Parc des Princes, Paris is counting on its offensive strength, represented by Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Tabitha Chawinga, again a scorer in the first leg (23 goals in 24 starts this season).
“She’s one of the best,” concedes Jocelyn Prêcheur. It is important for the collective life of the group. She feels good and that translates onto the pitch. »And that’s good: when Chawinga scores, PSG doesn’t lose. The Parisiennes only need a draw tomorrow to advance to the semi-final.
The likely eleven: Kiedrzynek – Le Guilly, De Almeida, Gaetino, Karchaoui – Geyoro (cap.), Albert, Baltimore – Vangsgaard, Katoto, Chawinga.
