Montpellier 3-1 PSG - Match report: Parisians open Premiere Ligue with victory

Paris Saint-Germain’s women's team began their season away to Montpellier in MD1 of the Arkema Premiere Ligue.

After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Juventus in the Women's Champions League qualifying round, PSG bounced back with a comfortable and deserved 3-1 victory, thanks to goals from Katoto and Geyoro in the first half, and Albert in the second. Montpellier scored a consolation goal from a corner in stoppage time.

Montpellier 3-1 PSG: Parisians open Premiere Ligue with victory

Lineups:

• PSG's lineup vs Montpellier: Earps - Le Guilly, Gaetino, Dudek (c), Elimbi - Geyoro, Albert, Echegini - Samoura, Katoto, N. Traore.
• Subs: Fernandes, Imarazene, Mbock, Graziani, De Almeida, Leuchter, Fazer.

• Montpellier's lineup vs PSG: Lerond - Levasseur, Palis, Boureille, Louis - Ouchene (c), Chaine Rochette - Rambaud, Khelifi, Gstalter - Mbakem Niaro.
• Subs: Houamria, Hassani, Baccichet, Bacoul Juillard, Diakite, Rouquet, Ngueleu.

Match summary:

• Goals: Katoto (0-1, 20'), Geyoro (0-2, 43'), Albert (0-3, 87'), Palis (1-3, 90+3').
• Bookings: Albert (22'), Gstalter (33'), Chaine Rochette (53'), Le Guilly (71').

Match report:

PSG kicked off the game. Early on, Gaetino cleared a free kick from the left with a header (4’). Lerond palmed away a Geyoro cross from the right (5’). Katoto was flagged offside on a ball from the left (7’). Echegini set up Katoto, who tried to dribble past the keeper but was blocked by Boureille’s intervention (9’).

Shortly after, Lerond misjudged a pass, allowing Geyoro to feed Echegini, whose shot was saved by the keeper (10’). Geyoro broke into the box and forced a save from Lerond, who tipped her shot wide for a corner (14’). Albert recovered the loose ball after the corner but her 25m shot was deflected (27’).

Louis attempted a long-range lob that was easily gathered by Earps (32’). Gstalter was booked for a foul on Geyoro (33’). Dudek made a crucial tackle to intercept a long ball aimed at Ouchene (35’). Echegini’s shot was comfortably saved by Lerond (37’).

Samoura’s cross was deflected for a corner, which Elimbi sent over the bar (39’). Katoto fought for a cross from Le Guilly but was denied by the defence (40’). Echegini, set up by Katoto, saw her shot saved by the keeper (42’). Dudek's pass found Katoto, who backheeled the ball to Geyoro, who slotted home (0-2, 43’). After one minute of added time, the teams headed to the dressing rooms.

Montpellier made a substitution at the break with Ngueuleu replacing Mbakem Niaro (46’). Rambaud won a corner, which Louis headed onto the bar, and Earps had to save the rebound (49’). Echegini won a free kick outside the box, which Elimbi curled over (54’).

Samoura and Echegini both saw chances come and go as PSG maintained pressure. Substitutes Leuchter and Fazer were introduced (60’). Geyoro’s one-two with Leuchter ended with a shot narrowly missing the post (61’).

De Almeida replaced Samoura (70’), and Le Guilly was booked for a foul on Ngueuleu (71’). Albert’s effort from distance was saved by Lerond (73’). Further substitutions followed for PSG and Montpellier, with Graziani and Mbock coming on (79’). Albert capped off the victory with a goal in the 87th minute (0-3). Palis scored a late consolation for Montpellier, heading home from a corner in added time (1-3, 90+2’).

The match ended with a convincing victory for PSG, a much-needed response after their defeat to Juventus earlier in the week.