Paris FC is impressing at the start of the season. Qualified for the group stage of the Champions League after two exploits against Arsenal (3-3, 4-2 in the tabs) and Wolfsburg (2-0, 3-3 in the first leg), Sandrine Soubeyrand’s players are to five victories in five matches in D1 Arkema. With 19 goals, they are almost as good as OL, their evening opponent (20), for what constitutes the clash between the two best teams in the Championship.
» We are aware, and I am the first, that he is a very high quality opponent, explains Sandrine Soubeyrand. But we will do our best to annoy them and try to find something that could help us win. » The PFC coach will be able to count on three of his major players, Mathilde Bourdieu, Julie Dufour and Clara Mateo, all back after a meeting with the French team, to subdue the Lyon ogre and take first place in the ranking, Sunday evening (9 p.m.), at the Charléty stadium.
Dufour in full success
Everything is smiling for the young 22-year-old striker at the start of the season. » She is currently flying », even underlined Hervé Renard, the coach of the Bleues, after seeing him succeed in his baptism of fire in the tricolor jersey, on October 27 in Norway (2-1). Arriving this summer at PFC from Bordeaux, Julie Dufour multiplies very high level performances with her new club, where she combines great activity in attack and efficiency in front of goal (7 goals and 4 assists in all competitions).
Better yet, the original Northerner has scored a goal in each of her team’s last four games. » She easily found her place, we have the impression that she has been there for more than four monthsconfides Sandrine Soubeyrand. She scores perhaps a little more than one might have expected. »
Julie Dufour made a successful debut in the Bleues jersey at the end of October. (J.-M. Hervio/L’Équipe)
Mateo, undisputed leader
Clara Mateo is not new to Paris FC and the French team (27 caps, 4 goals). » She comes out of two gatherings where she played very little, explains his club coach. But, for us, she is an undisputed, indisputable leader, a player for whom we do not wonder whether we are going to field her or not. »
Clara Mateo has scored two goals in five matches this season. (B. Papon/The Team)
The coach is full of praise for his 25-year-old striker, who has scored two goals this season. » She is consistent, puts in a lot of effort for the team. Clara is altruistic, she prefers to pass rather than score”. Her experience speaks for itself within the capital club, having worn the colors of the PFC since 2017.
Bourdieu and his total commitment
Another asset for the Parisiennes: Mathilde Bourdieu, very lively at the start of the season with 5 goals and 3 assists. » Mathilde gradually developed the spirit of a leader, observes Sandrine Soubeyrand. She puts a lot of intensity and commitment when we call on her. »
Mathilde Bourdieu in front of Gaëtane Thiney, during a PFC match this season. (P. Lahalle/L’Equipe)
The 24-year-old striker only played around twenty minutes with the France team during the last rally but the declarations of the boss of the Blues can give her hope. » I want to prepare for the future with Bourdieu, (Julie) Dufour, (Vicki) Becho », Confided Hervé Renard on the sidelines of the matches against Norway. In the meantime, she will still have an opportunity on Sunday evening against Lyon to make herself more and more indispensable.
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