It was a PSG on alternating current which presented itself at Roudourou this Saturday. Jostled against a Guingamp team fighting to maintain its position, the Ile-de-France women were held on (3-3) during the 20th day of D1 Arkema, despite a new quality offensive performance from the duo Tabitha Chawinga – Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Too weak defensively and on set pieces, Paris extended its unbeaten streak to 24 matches in all competitions but, for the first time in 9 matches, the capital club did not come away with victory. Above all, it gives OL the opportunity to take a nine-point lead in the standings and move towards a new title as champion of France, in the event of a victory for Lyon in Saint-Etienne this Sunday.
Paris was off to a good start
In control of the ball on this return from the international break, Paris initially showed itself realistic against a Guingamp block well grouped in front of its goal. Indeed, Jocelyn Prêcheur’s players opened the scoring in their first hot situation thanks to their serial scorer, Tabitha Chawinga. Benefiting from the good recovery of Sandy Baltimore in the opposing camp, the top scorer in D1 Arkema scored her 18th goal of the season from a tight angle, on the left of the area, benefiting from the hazardous exit of Marie-Morgane Sieber (0 -1, 30th).
Thinking they had done the hardest part, the Parisiennes then relaxed. Embarrassed by the technique and liveliness of Aïssata Traoré, the main danger for the residents of Roudourou, the young Anaïs Ebayilin (16 years old) got confused in her intervention while the winger went for goal, conceding a penalty. Author of a shot that was too crushed, Antonie Starova then scared herself but Constance Picaud could only touch the leather on the way to her small right net (1-1, 33rd).
Katoto and Baltimore decisive
Strengthened by the entries into play of Amalie Vangsgaard and Jackie Groenen at the break, PSG started the second act better, showing itself to be dangerous through Katoto. Initially unable to frame her acrobatic recovery (49th), the French international finally found the fault, taking advantage of a long ball poorly negotiated by the Breton defense to adjust the opposing goal (1-2, 58th).
But like in the first period, the Ile-de-France residents fell asleep. A few moments after a face-to-face lost by Chawinga in front of Sieber (62nd), Nina Richard tied the score on the surface. Following a ball poorly cleared by Sakina Karchaoui from a corner, the 23-year-old Guingampaise fired a heavy shot deflected by Vangsgaard to deceive Picaud (2-2, 67th).
In difficulty on each set piece, Paris was again lax in marking a few minutes later, allowing Maïwen Renard to win her aerial duel with Katoto to bring the score to 3-2 (78th).
Revolted by the idea of losing their first match in D1 Arkema since October 1, 2023 and the reception of Lyon (0-1), the visitors immediately got back into the match, carried by Baltimore’s beautiful volley at the entrance to the area (3-3, 78th). Faced with a tired team, Karchaoui and his teammates then pushed, without success, like Baltimore’s new attempt at the end of the match (86th). They will have to be more rigorous as the clash against OL in the semi-final first leg of the Women’s Champions League looms, on Saturday April 20.
