PSG women: "We have every chance for the Champions League," says Echouafni

First confined to Paris, Olivier Echouafni was able to join his wife and children in Toulouse. Finally, the PSG girls' coach returned to the capital, where he was extended for a year - until June 2021 - by Leonardo. Frustrated by the stop of the D 1 before the decisive shock for the title against Lyon, on March 14, the 47-year-old technician hopes to finish the season in style with the Coupe de France in August (half against Bordeaux on the 2, final on 8 in Auxerre) and the Final 8 of the Champions League (from 22 to 30 in Spain).

Why did you extend?

OLIVIER ECHOUAFNI. Already, I am very happy to continue the adventure at PSG, and that the leaders have shown the desire to continue with me. There is such frustration with the end of the season that it was not possible not to leave. We were launched, still in the running in all the competitions, we were going to play the "final" of the championship against Lyon, and everything stopped. When you know the time it takes to set up a project ... I did not want to stay on a taste of unfinished business.

How did you experience the departure of manager Bruno Cheyrou for Lyon?

It's the life of a club. I was very happy to be able to work with him. We had found a balance. He made a personal choice.

Is Leonardo's rapprochement a strong sign?

It is not new. Since his arrival, he has been very present with the group and the staff and visits us regularly. We're glad he's involved in the women's section. The project set up by Bruno for two years will continue. The foundations are there.

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Leonardo came to welcome our @PSG_Feminines for the collective recovery in Bougival 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/CoC7296mnL

What speech did he make before the group?

He explained the changes within the section. He recalled that he was there, that the club was there, that the institution was above everything. That we were going to have super-motivating deadlines and great goals to reach.

How was the reunion with the players?

We were very happy to meet again. How long it was! There were smiles. This is special because there are many health restrictions. We are not allowed to touch or talk too close, and with masks. But we have renewed social contact, this is essential.

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How did you experience the distance with your players?

He had to take it upon himself. The hardest part was the uncertainty and the lack of visibility on the recovery. We tried to keep the players under pressure, but it was getting complicated. I kept in touch with them, by message or on the phone. Just to hear them, find out if everything was fine. It was more difficult for foreigners trapped in their apartment for six or seven weeks without being able to return home.

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At the heart of the recovery of our @PSG_Feminines with coach Olivier Echouafni and our recruit @ Benedictesimon8 ❤️💙 # Parisienne pic.twitter.com/JJnJdD5zNB

Do you consider it was a good decision to stop the championship?

When I see the measures still in place today, just for training, I find it hard to imagine that we could have resumed competition earlier. It was a wise decision. We are penalized and frustrated that we could not play against Lyon, but health is more important. Lots of families have had the pain of losing loved ones. It would not have been correct to resume earlier.

Aren't you angry that you couldn't defend your title chances?

Given the context around the match ( Editor's note: Lyon had asked in vain for the postponement of the scheduled match after the international break ), Lyon may have had a little apprehension about coming to face us. After that, we are European for the 3rd consecutive year, we deserved our 2nd place. We are happy to be able to finish what we started, the Coupe de France and the Champions League.

Can you hope to win the Champions League?

Everything will be played on a match, with no catching up possible. The eight teams will start on an equal footing. Preparation will play a big role. It is the best prepared team, physically and mentally, who will fare well. And who will have the least injuries because there is a lot of uncertainty after the fifteen weeks of stoppage. We have every chance. Our strength is that we have a group that knows each other well and that has gained further experience and maturity. And who wants to achieve great things.

Aren't you afraid of having a limited workforce?

Not necessarily. We will have the right to align six recruits on the sheet, including three who have already played the competition with their previous club. But we did not see ourselves extending and blocking the players at the end of the contract and who have already signed elsewhere, that would have been inappropriate.

But the transfer window is not very advanced. Should we worry?

We still extended a lot of players, and not the least. Bénédicte Simon arrives from Reims. Not to mention the injury returns of Signe Bruun and Sara Däbritz. We already have a competitive workforce while waiting for one or two additional arrivals. We give ourselves time to take stock after the European Cup. The idea is to bring added value, because we already have a talented group who know each other well.

PSG has put the means to extend Kadidiatou Diani…

It is a strong signal compared to the competition ( Editor's note: Lyon and the American club from Portland ). I am very happy to keep it. Kadi feels good at PSG and she wants to write things with the club. Given her progress each year, she has everything to become a top player. The club has made the necessary efforts. It shows that PSG remains ambitious for its female team.

Se queda ❤💙 # Diani2023 pic.twitter.com/nF35pPtVcS

Did you understand the departures of young Alice Sombath and Vicki Becho for Lyon?

Not necessarily. We will have to protect the clubs and our young people. That the Federation look into the establishment of contracts so that we do not train players for the competition. Today, they can leave at any time. It is not possible ! And hard to accept…

Didn't you try to hold them back?

We tried to retain them, but everything was set in advance a priori. I was disappointed to lose these two very good players who were to join the professional group. They made the choice to leave for a team where you don't see many young people playing. They might have had a little more luck with us. Now we wish them the best.

Does this mean that PSG does not give young people a chance?

Not at all. Look at the number of players from training in the pro group, between those who have been there for some time and the seven who start preparing with us ... We have 50% to 60% of players from the center. Alice Pinguet and Laurina Fazer signed pro. There could have been Alice Sombath and Vicki Becho. Four in a season is no small feat.

Final 8 program

Quarter-finals

21st of August :

Glasgow City - Wolfsburg (6 p.m., San Sebastian)

Atlético de Madrid - Barcelona (6 p.m., Bilbao)

August 22

Arsenal - PSG (8 p.m., San Sebastian)

Lyon - Bayern Munich (8 p.m., Bilbao)

Semi-finals

August 25:

Glasgow City / Wolfsburg - Atlético Madrid / Barcelona (8 p.m., San Sebastian)

August 26:

Arsenal / PSG - Lyon / Bayern Munich (8 p.m., Bilbao)

Final

August 30 in San Sebastian