As a good manager, Gérard Prêcheur does not want to lose anyone along the way.
After scolding Sandy Baltimore at a press conference after the defeat against Chelsea (0-1) last week, the Parisian coach chose her first this Wednesday in Madrid (0-0) to hope to unlock the situation.
Shortly after the hour mark, the left-hander entered against Real to bring her speed and percussion.
Without success for the Parisiennes but the intentions were there, for the player as for the staff.
Something positive for the rest of the season.
Because so far, it's been a false start for the 22-year-old striker.
Great hope from the Parisian vintage, Sandy Baltimore had become a key element of PSG during the title season, in 2020-2021, with Olivier Echouafni, and last year, with Didier Ollé-Nicolle.
But with Gérard Prêcheur, daily life is different.
Seven games played out of the 10 possible, for only four starts.
Two assists but no goals.
Facing Chelsea, during the opening of the Champions League, the technician even preferred to align Laurina Fazer, central training midfielder, on the left side…
A team losing offensive efficiency
“When I analyzed Sandy's last season, she was in trouble, especially towards the end.
I did everything to restore her confidence, asking her to hit on the left and the results I expected did not arrive, justified Prêcheur.
We worked during the international period trying to put her on the right to work on her left foot by returning to the axis, but that does not suit her.
She was very clear with me: playing on the right does not suit her!
So, on the left, she is in competition with Lieke, Ramona and we saw it tonight with Laurina.
She is not in pole position for the position of left striker since it is only in this position that she can play from what she told me”.
Read alsoWomen's PSG: the delicate management of the return of Kheira Hamraoui
A direct, vehement but frank spade from the Parisian coach.
The goal was not to destabilize her but to remind her that her role also affects the rest of the group.
Even more when, without Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the offensive inefficiency hinders the ambitions of PSG.
At the end of September, when she accumulated 19 selections, Sandy Baltimore also remained away from the France team.
"It's a choice of the moment, compared to his performances that I judge today a little below, but nothing too bad", explained Corinne Deacon.
If the World Cup (July 20 – August 20, 2023) took place tomorrow, the Parisian would probably not be part of the adventure.
So Sandy Baltimore is hunkering down while waiting to find the level that has allowed him to accumulate 65 games, 17 goals and a slew of assists over the last two seasons.
Gérard Prêcheur's staff can't imagine winning trophies without his contribution.
But as the extra-sporting is never very far around the Women's PSG, it should also be remembered that the left-handed is the subject of a complaint for willful violence during a private dispute, which dates from last spring.
A news badly experienced by the player, who would now like to find joy on the ground.
Match sheet
This Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (Foot +).
PSG:
Bouhaddi - Lawrence, Georgieva, De Almeida, Karchaoui - Jean-Francois, Groenen - Diani (cap.), Geyoro, Baltimore - Martens.
Entr.
: Preacher.