Adversity will go up a notch, just like the tension, for the girls of the PSG. After a start to the year against modest opponents, in the league or in the Coupe de France, the Parisiennes take their first test of 2020 on the grounds of the Guingamp training center in Pabu this Saturday, February 22 (2:30 p.m., live on Foot + ). Here are three things to know about this match.
An affront to wash
The 1-1 of the outward journey on November 3 remained across the throat of the Parisiennes and especially their coach. Olivier Echouafni still wonders how his team was able to let two points escape and let Lyon slip three lengths at the top of the ranking. "When we review the images and statistics, it makes no sense to draw a match," the PSG coach, given the number of opportunities harvested by his team.
Frustration with the crying outing of his striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto after a fight with the assistant coach, Bernard Mendy. "We really want to play and have a big game to catch up," announces Echouafni. Guingamp has been an unbeaten team for four months, 5th in D 1 and qualified for the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. That is to say the quality. It will be the most difficult team we have to play in 2020. ”
Additional land for PSG
If the Parisiennes have already set foot on the lawn of Roudourou for the Trophée des Championnes, lost on penalties against Lyon on September 21, this time they will have to migrate to an area adjoining the training center of the Breton club. Is it because Guingamp played there this Friday night against Sochaux in Ligue 2? The fact remains that it is not really to please their coach.
"Other clubs have the chance and the privilege to play on good ground and in a beautiful enclosure at Roudourou, we will be on synthetic", deplores Echouafni implying in reference to receptions by Guingamp of Lyon or Marseille. "But it's not a disadvantage," he rectified, "the team plays all year round on Jean-Bouin's synthetic. And compared to Arras, where the playing conditions were not fantastic, it will certainly be better. "
A typical return team
After having made his team run widely in Arras (D 2) in the Coupe de France, where the bis team was not really convinced despite the 3-1 qualification for the semi-finals, Echouafni will return to his typical training at Guingamp . Apart from Sarah Däbritz, who began her rehabilitation after knee surgery, and Jordyn Huitema, who was hit in an ankle, he has all his strength.
“Arras allowed me to let players rest and see others in competition configuration, puts the technician into perspective. And it is not because we did not put six or seven goals that the bench is not performing. He will be decisive at some point, even if he is young. We also sometimes need passion and carelessness at times. "
