Until now, the PSG Women's French Cup route has been more like a health walk than a heroic epic. This should still be the case this Saturday, January 15 (4 p.m.) in the quarterfinals. Olivier's players after Mazères-Uros-Rontignon (R 1) and Rodez (D 2), streaked 9-0 and 6-0 respectively, are once again outside and facing a hierarchically lower opponent Echouafni will play their qualification.
On the move to Arras, modest 9th in her group of D 2, they should not have too many problems to reach the last square. Also faced with limited adversity in the league, like the successes 11-0 against OM, 5-1 against Metz and 3-0 at Soyaux, the Parisiennes are not in the best configuration to prepare for the decisive shock for the title against Lyon on March 14 or the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Arsenal on March 25 and April 1. The PSG coach does not want to project himself this far.
The @PSG_Feminines of Olivier Echouafni prepare the quarterfinal of @coupedefrance feminine at @ArrasFcf (D2) tomorrow Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Bougival training center #PSG pic.twitter.com/FzSBVCoshk
- Le Parisien - PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) February 14, 2020How do you approach this trip?
Olivier Echouafni. As a new challenge. There is a place in the semi-finals to go for. It is important to continue on the same dynamic of 2020 which is rather interesting. We are doing things well so far.
You were rather spared from the draws…
Yes maybe. But it's a good draw from the time that qualifies. We observed this Arras team, we took as much information as possible. If she is in quarters, it is because she has achieved great performances. We know we are expected. It is up to us to be serious and professional.
"Girls are judged every day"
Isn't it too difficult to motivate the players for this kind of match?
No. They have to realize that there is no easy match. You just don't have to give your opponent hope. It is a state of mind to have, to tell yourself that there is no small or big opponent, to be motivated in the same way. They are judged every day, in training and in matches.
Are you planning to save players for the big March events?
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Yes, there may still be some turnover. It is up to them to seize the opportunities and meet my expectations. The Coupe de France allows us to bring the group to life. Some girls work well and are not necessarily rewarded for playing time. Others have played a lot and will be at rest as a precaution. Jordy Huitema and Ashley Lawrence, returning tired from the Olympic qualification tournament, will be spared, as is Alana Cook, who has a little physical problem. I will also join two U19s, Vicky Becho and Alice Sombath.
Is this series of affordable matches a good preparation for Lyon and Arsenal?
Affordable, not that much. Soyaux could be a trap game, but we did what we could to avoid it, even if we could have scored more goals and we didn't make our best game. For the next trip to Guingamp in the championship, we will have a revenge to take on ourselves (Editor's note: after the 1-1 to go). Guingamp hasn't lost since that match. It will be complicated but we will have an important motivation to arrive against Lyon with always our points of difference.
But it will not be the same intensity against Lyon and Arsenal…
Yes it will be something else. We know that we will have to raise our level. But it is important already to work the mind by scoring a lot of goals, as we do now. It's good for confidence. My main concern is to know in what state I will find the girls after the international break.
"I am fighting to have the calendar reviewed"
The truce will intervene again before a big match, the shock against Lyon. Does that still irritate you?
For once, we will be on the same level of equality with Lyon, which has daughters who will go far away and us less than usual. But this is not the first time that this has happened. The authorities do not realize that these international matches eat a lot of energy and that the players are found in a bad state of form. It does not highlight women's football and the quality of the show. I am fighting to have the calendar reviewed.
Is Lyon already in the minds?
No, you shouldn't think about it. But the preparation of Lyon and that of Arsenal are done now, on a daily basis, not a few days before.