Clinical Real Madrid edged out Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in a competitive UEFA Women’s Champions League clash.
It was an improved display by Paris Saint-Germain at home, but their poor start to the UWCL campaign continues as visitors Real Madrid were clinical when it counted.
It was an intriguing match-up between the two perennial bridesmaids of their respective leagues, and neither has done much so far to convince that this will be the season for a title challenge. The Parisians sit in second with 9 points from 4 games – but only because an administrative blunder spared them the blushes of conceding a late equalising penalty to RC Lens in the first game of the season and retroactively awarded them the 3 points.
Two games later, rivals OL Lyonnes were in a less charitable mood, dismantling them in a demoralising 6-1 defeat. Las Blancas have had a similarly shaky start – points dropped to newly promoted side Logrono, CD Tenerife and city rivals Atletico mean there is already a 7-point gulf between them and league leaders Barcelona.
It’s been a brighter picture for Real Madrid in the Champions League with a convincing 6-2 win over Roma in game week 1. PSG were made to pay for their own wastefulness at Wolfsburg, failing to convert 2.12 xG and being punished by their opponent’s clinical finishing to suffer a 4-0 loss. PSG came into this game with an extra few days’ rest, having not played a league game in the intervening weekend.
Looking for a response to that frustrating showing, PSG made three changes to their starting 11. The most eyebrow-raising saw experienced Netherlands midfielder Jackie Groenen dropped to the bench, with 17-year-old Tante Diakite starting in her place.
Defender Eva Gaetino also dropped out of the starting XI following an error-strewn display against Wolfsburg, with Thiniba Samoura preferred in her stead, and Tara Elimbi came in for Romee Leuchter. Real Madrid made just one change from the side that beat Roma, bringing Sandie Tolleti in for Sara Dabritz.
It was the fifth time these sides have met in the competition, with PSG leading the head-to-head with 3 wins and a draw going into the game.
The Lineups
PSG: Earps, de Almeida, Samoura, Mbock, Carmona, Echegini, Karchaoui, Diakite, Ajibade, Kanjinga, Elimbi
RMA: Frohms, Navarro, Lakrar, Mendez, Yasmim, Toletti, Angeldahl, Weir, Caicedo, Feller, Redondo
Embed from Getty Images
The Action
PSG dictated the game in the early stages, moving the ball well and getting the better of their individual battles. There were a few reminders of the threat that Real Madrid carry, as they largely tried to go direct with their opportunities on the counter.
There was concern for the visitors early doors when goalkeeper Merle Frohms was forced off in the 13th minute after colliding with Merveille Kanjinga, who had pounced on a poorly judged pass backwards from Filipa Angeldahl. Ultimately, her replacement Misa Rodriguez had very little to do, making just two relatively simple saves as PSG struggled to take advantage of getting the ball into good areas.
And so it was that once again, PSG were punished for not taking their chances. Near the half hour mark, against the run of play, left back Yasmin fired a sumptuous cross in which was met by Naomie Feller, who had made an intelligent run and deftly flicked it goalwards. Minutes later, Rasheedat Ajibade found space down Real Madrid’s left, but her cross wasn’t met by anyone.
Following the goal, Real Madrid found their feet and began piling on the pressure. PSG’s defence, although steadfast in the opening stages, struggled to cope with the technicality and quality of Real Madrid’s frontline. Any occasions where they did win possession, they felt rushed and panicky, and more often than not would turn the ball over and invite another wave of pressure.
There was a sucker punch just before half-time when Feller got the better of de Almeida and floated a cross to Caroline Weir. Her initial shot was stopped well by Earps, but Alba Redono arrived at the back post to fire home the rebound, putting the visitors 2-0 up.
PSG did come out fighting in the second half, and a well-worked set piece saw Karchaoui pick out an unmarked Ajibade, who headed home in the 57th minute. The game looked to be on, with the hosts pushing for an equaliser, but they failed to create anything of note until late substitute Romee Leuchter’s header sailed over the bar in the 94th minute, and Real Madrid saw it through.
Embed from Getty Images
Lack of depth and experience a problem for PSG
The Parisians are currently in what you might call a period of transition. Having a named new head coach in the summer, and having lost several key players, there’s very much a sense that they are trying to find the best version of themselves. It felt telling that Paulo Cesar opted to bring 18-year-old Orenlla Graziani and 20-year-old Floriane Jourde off the bench in the second half, rather than more experienced players like Groenen and Leuchter, who weren’t introduced until injury time.
A proven goalscorer, Leuchter’s late introduction was particularly confusing, as it was their wastefulness in front of goal that let them down once again. Despite having had the better of the game for the first 25 minutes, they failed to register a shot on target until just before half-time when Echegini’s tame effort was scooped up by Rodriguez.
Real Madrid scored against the run of play, and the hosts let them run the show until half-time. It feels as though PSG lack a commanding presence in both boxes. All-time record goalscorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the latest in a long line of vital quality they’ve lost to OL Lyonnes, is sorely missed in the final third.
At the other end of the pitch, you may be forgiven for thinking they have the ultimate commanding presence in Mary Earps, but she can only do so much with her experience and trademark communication with the defenders in front of her. After her team conceded a corner in the 35th minute, Earps could be seen trying to calm them down, but it was all getting a bit fractious, and you could almost sense the desperation as yet another game slipped out of their reach.
PSG are paying the price for letting key talent go season-upon-season without adequately replacing them. They lack robustness and industriousness in midfield, having lost Korbin Shrader and Grace Geyoro. Sakina Karcahoui is given the freedom to take risks, but the players around her are struggling to lock down the midfield while she roams. While their current forward options show signs of promise, the decision-making is often poor, and you only need to look at the likes of Katoto and other players they’ve lost; Kadidatou Diani, Tabitha Chawinga and Sandy Baltimore to get a sense of the goal-scoring pedigree they’re missing.
Ahead of the game, PSG defender Griedge Mbock said “We’re trying to sort out the minor details that make the difference at the highest level.” But ultimately it’s the major details that matter – and that’s scoring goals and not conceding them.
Real Madrid work-in-progress, but clinical when it counted
It’s far too tempting to directly compare the two sides here. Just like PSG, Real Madrid brought in a new head coach in the summer. Just like PSG, they lost a key player in captain Olga Carmona, who was facing her former side this evening. Just like PSG, they so often live in the shadow of a team that dominates their domestic league.
But unlike PSG, they look cohesive in attack, and player-for-player, their frontline has the upper hand. Caroline Weir and Linda Caicedo’s quality shone throughout, completing 94% and 90% of their passes respectively, effortlessly linking up with Redondo and Feller, the latter being the best player on the pitch.
Speaking before the game, Real Madrid head coach Pau Quesada said, “It’s a team under construction and has been changing its playing systems. It has many variations, but we have to stay on track, building the Real Madrid we want to be: intense, aggressive, and direct.” His words were reflected in this performance; it would be unfair to say that they were the better team overall, and there were moments when it felt like the game may slip away from them, but ultimately their attacking quality won out.
They were also smart with substitutions. When Caicedo was forced off in the 62nd minute, she was replaced like-for-like by Athenea del Castillo – who could feel aggrieved to not have started. However at that point, Quesada also chose to sacrifice an attacking player and bring in Däbritz for Redondo, introducing another midfielder to shore up the centre of the park as PSG were working their way back into the game.
Perhaps the earlier start to the Liga F season and a more settled core of the team worked in Real Madrid’s favour. They had already played ten competitive games compared to PSG’s five, enabling them to build momentum and reinforce their connections, and they felt more assured in possession, if a little shaky out of it at times.
All in all, it’s six points and a dream start to the Champions League campaign for Las Blancas, who currently sit second in the league table, just behind – you guessed it – Barcelona.