Lyon fans online being so upset about this playoff system is frankly quite funny to me. Their team has won far too much for them to be this upset in my opinion. I've seen comments about the playoffs not being good for the promotion of women's football. You know what league has the best league wide average attendances and arguably the most marketing/promotion? Oh, right, the league that's always decided its champion through playoffs. Also, I think this attitude is kind of rich given the acquisition over the last couple of seasons of PSG's best player and another one of their top players. Think about this current PSG team with Diani and Däbritz (when fit) and Lyon without them. PSG would have still had their defensive issues; however, I think they would have been closer in the league, and the UWCL semis might have had a different outcome. I give a lot of credit to Karchaoui and Geyoro in this respect. Karchaoui made the opposite move and just signed a new long-term deal with PSG. (How many top tier, in their prime players have made the Lyon to PSG move rather than the PSG to Lyon move?) Geyoro stayed with PSG after serious Chelsea interest and then signed a long-term deal a year later. Ranting too much, but I just find this level of energy weird coming from fans of a team that always wins and acquires elite players from PSG to help them always win.
The FFF has already changed the formula for next season regarding the Champions League qualification. The play-off winner will become France champion for the season 2024/25, but the WCL qualifications will be decided by the top 3 teams in the regular season.
Watched back Geyoro's disallowed goal. She definitely could/should have been able to stay onside, and it still would have been an easy finish. Frustrating because it was elite patient build up play (16 purposeful passes over 45 seconds) that I think Barcelona or Lyon would have been proud of, and not surprisingly, it was all started by very good defending by Groenen. On Paris FC's very late breakaway opportunity, I was surprised by Albert's lack of urgency given how active and hard working she typically is and the fact that she only came into the match like six minutes before the play. I get not deciding to immediately mark Bourdieu when she was closer, but once Gaetino took that heavy touch inviting pressure, I think Albert should have reacted quicker in deciding to track back. Martens was like an old school, luxury #10. Not particularly good defensively but elite offensively (i.e. linked up well, created good chances for Chawinga, and it's a shame that last cross went to Elimbi Gilbert rather than say Katoto, Geyoro, or Baltimore).
I don't know what's going on with Kiedrzynek. Maybe I should have been more critical of her on those two weird own goals vs Lyon (D1 Arkema) and Paris FC (Coupe de France). Both Lyon goals were completely on her. PSG have to try and sign a top level keeper over the summer because I don't have much confidence in Picaud either.
Endler had two saves vs Chawinga in the second half that were exactly what Kiedrzynek needed to do vs Cascarino. One of those saves was followed by a poor Gilles clearance for Chawinga's goal, but Kiedrzynek made errors for two goals. Jackie Groenen: "On prend 2 buts sans raison... C'est dur de rattraper 2 buts face à une bonne équipe". That's essentially all of the analysis you need for this match. Anyone trying to say there was a big gulf in quality between the two teams today is a Lyon homer and/or PSG hater. PSG didn't even need a keeper of Endler's quality; they just needed a keeper who would make routine saves and plays in possession. Thought the refereeing was poor overall. She let a lot go, and that was mostly in Lyon's favor no matter how much the Lyon players protested. Horan pleaded for a yellow on an arguably legit tackle from Katoto. It also seemed like all of Lyon's players became made of glass once they took a 2-0 lead. Look at the stats for this match and the other matchups this season. They don't suggest Lyon winning 4 and drawing 1 at all in my opinion. PSG could/should have won two of their matchups this season, and this match on balance should have been a draw. PSG have to figure out how to get over that hurdle next season, and keeping Chawinga is very important to that objective.
83' - Karchaoui outside the box. Clear options better than the shot. Into Groenen to lay off for either Geyoro or Katoto. Directly to Geyoro for a much better shot. Into Katoto for either a shot on goal or a cut back to Groenen or Geyoro. Frustrating as was Martens' late FK.
42nd/43rd minute - That was a really poor and reckless tackle attempt by Damaris; she was very lucky Chawinga was so quick on that play. If Chawinga had been slower, that would have been a stone cold red card in my opinion.
Well, I'll be happy with this pursuit if PSG will be getting 2022/2023 Earps. If they'll be getting 2023/2024 Earps, then I'll just be prepared for more of the same.
Okay, I’m being reactionary, but I just can’t with the Lyon fanbase right now. A Lyon fan equated Groenen’s block attempt on Van de Donk with Damaris’ reckless lunge at Chawinga, and another Lyon fan agreed. I was diplomatic at the time because I thought I potentially missed something from that play. I watched it back though, and I’m just completely lost. Groenen’s studs were pointing down, she didn’t endanger Van de Donk, and Van de Donk didn’t have to move out of the way one bit. On the other hand, Damaris’ studs were fully sideways, she seriously put Chawinga in danger, and Chawinga’s quickness saved her from potentially serious contact. And I was labeled as a biased PSG fan from this discussion. Sure, I am, but how can someone bring up Groenen’s play in defense of Damaris’ play and then say I’m biased?
I have problems with Lyon fans since 2011 lol a couple of them threatened to beat me up if they see at game. They don't like when their players are criticised.
In every fan club in the world there are idiots, narrow-minded people, people of bad faith, assholes. Men or women, In Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Munchen, for the national teams, everywhere. We meet plenty of them on the french newspaper "l'equipe". why talk to these people, do you have time to waste? I only speak with smart people, who are capable of appreciating the opponent's game and criticizing their favorite players when they do bad. Of course it s impossible to always be objective, maybe a bit easier if you are not a supporter at heart, like me. Well, am i objective if i say Kiedrzyneck can go to Cannes ? Touchée au visage 😊😂🤣🥲 pic.twitter.com/jZSU34JF47— Willy Pasche (@willy_pasche) May 20, 2024
Well, that's why I said I was being reactionary. Are there any other fans or media who have talked about that Damaris lunge at Chawinga? I'm being completely serious when I say that was a really, really poor and reckless attempt at a tackle, and when I saw someone equate an innocuous block attempt with that reckless challenge, it just got my blood boiling. Say whatever you want about Kiedrzynek; she shocked me with her play in both playoff matches.
Bordeaux and Lille relegated to D2 league RC strasbourg and FC Nantes (i guess @shlj is happy) promoted in D1 Arkéma (both first time) Marseille again fails to move up in D1. it must be said that in Marseille, except the male footballers and their "à jamais les premiers", nothing else exists, and especially not women who do not know how to play football... the south ...
Pedro Losa Martinez likely futur OL 's coach as Bompastor and Abily leave for Chelsea. Bompastor and Hayes tied : only one title, they almost leave through the back door.