Stunned but not defeated. The Parisiennes kept their heads held high this Saturday evening as they left the locker room at Groupama Stadium, the scene of a sublime semi-final first leg of the Champions League concluded with a crazy victory for OL (3-2). Overthrown in six minutes by the Lyonnaises, the women's section of PSG keeps in mind that a return meeting remains to be played, at the Parc des Princes on Sunday April 28 (4 p.m.). And before the inexplicable happened, she had succeeded in a small feat by controlling Lyon on her lawn, leading 2-0 while having the balls to make it 3-0.
“We have to put this third,” regrets defender Élisa de Almeida. They were killers, we weren't. Defeat hurts instantly. But they know that we had the opportunities to win. We have to stay positive, work mentally and prepare for this return match as a team at the Parc des Princes. We play football at a high level for these kinds of matches. The boys led the way. There are 90 minutes left to play at the Park, we will be pushed by the public. I think we have the mentality and that we can look for this victory. »
A similar speech from goalkeeper Constance Picaud, who collapsed like her teammates after an almost perfect first 80 minutes. “Everything remains to be done,” assures the French international. For the boys, it was exactly the same scenario (Editor's note: 2-3 defeat in the quarter-final first leg against Barça). The return match is at home. We hope that the public will be behind us. It's not over. We could have our heads down because we were leading 2-0. But everything remains possible. It's a little blow in the back of the head but it's to come out even stronger. »
“A goal behind, nothing is impossible”
As soon as the match ended, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, author of the Parisian double, kept repeating to her teammates: “It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. » “I didn't have quite the same words,” replies Jocelyn Prêcheur. I said it calmly. I don't like to react too quickly but we have to be much better at managing weak times. There are lessons to be learned. Physically, we also suffered the blow. » Captain Grace Geyoro notably ended the meeting on her knees, pushed from all sides.
“It’s the end of the series for us,” breathes Jocelyn Prêcheur, in reference to the conclusion of 24 matches without defeat since the end of November. This scenario can strengthen the opponent. » But the coach also still believes in it. “We must learn lessons from this match. We are not far, he continues. A goal behind, nothing is impossible, far from it. We saw that we were capable of endangering this team, with a placed attack or a rapid attack. We will all have to mobilize. I still believe in our chances. »
The appointment is made for next Sunday, 4 p.m., in a Parc des Princes which has yet to be full (less than 10,000 places had been sold at the end of the week). Hoping that the madness shifts this time to the Parisian side.