The summer was rather lively for the Paris FC women’s team. After shining, both in the league and in the Champions League last season, many players were called upon. While Louna Ribadeira has already been transferred to Chelsea but will remain on loan this season, others have had the door closed to them, such as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, coveted by Tottenham. A situation that is not easy to manage for coach Sandrine Soubeyrand.
“It was sometimes unstable, difficult, disruptive and complex,” she admits. “Of course, it had some repercussions. We are no longer dealing with the same issues as last season. The players are a year older, have more experience and have changed status. They have put themselves forward, made a name for themselves and have been in demand. Many European teams are eyeing Paris FC to recruit. We also have quite a few players who are coming to the end of their contracts. My goal is to maintain continuity to continue what we have put in place in terms of playing philosophy.”
Soyer retires, Thiney re-enlists
The locker room also lost one of its pillars, Julie Soyer, who retired at the age of 37. “She was one of the guarantors of our philosophy and also a resource to alert me in the event of a problem of malaise in the locker room,” explains Sandrine Soubeyrand. “We can’t replace her. But I’m waiting for other players to become leaders and take their responsibilities, such as Clara Mateo or Tea Greboval.”
Captain Gaëtane Thiney, who had announced her retirement, has decided to re-enlist to relive new emotions. After hosting Chelsea and Real Madrid in a nearly full Charléty stadium last season, Paris FC once again gave themselves the right to dream of such matches by getting through the first preliminary round without a hitch against First Vienna (9-0) and Sparta Prague (2-0). But after eliminating Wolfsburg last year, the Parisians will have to achieve a new feat against Manchester City, vice-champion of England behind Chelsea, to qualify and reach the group stage for a second season in a row.
“We knew we were going to come up against a big team, we just wanted to avoid last year’s teams to discover other stadiums and other atmospheres,” emphasizes Sandrine Soubeyrand. “Manchester City is as strong as Wolfsburg. I have the impression that it seems easy and normal that we are here. Even at the club, we don’t feel the same excitement as last year. But we mustn’t trivialize the event.”
City, inspired by Guardiola
The Parisian coach insists on the level of her opponent: “It’s an incredible opportunity for us, Paris FC, a 2nd division club, to play against Manchester City, which is one of the best clubs in the world. Among the women, there are only seasoned internationals, English, Japanese, Jamaican… The City Group has reproduced the same pattern, they have built, without necessarily buying the best right away, but by looking for profiles that correspond to their philosophy. It’s a team that likes to have possession and collective control.”
Characteristics that also correspond to Paris FC. “Guardiola inspires a lot of people,” smiles Sandrine Soubeyrand. “All things considered, we have a game plan that is similar to Manchester. We also have offensive qualities to highlight. We know that we will be expected but we have ambitions. The European Cup allows us to get out of the routine of the championship. In this first leg, the objective is already not to jeopardize our chances of qualifying for the return leg.”
On the squad side, Louna Ribadeira, who injured her knee in June with the French team in preparation for the Olympics, should be available within 2-3 weeks.
