Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 7th round of 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season (8/11/22).
Above: Gaëtane Thiney scores Paris FC’s equaliser at home to Bordeaux nine minutes from time. Photo: Paris FC.
What a very surprising and strange set of results there were in the seventh round of the competition. Only two games ended in wins – these went the way of Reims and Fleury.
Supposedly the two best teams of D1 Arkema were not able to win. Paris Saint-Germain at home scored twice but let Montpellier leave with a point. Olympique Lyonnais’s poor run of form continued as they failed to find the net against bottom-of-the-table Guingamp – a team who have not won all season.
These results are especially very worrisome for Lyon after finding it so hard to break through against Fleury in a game where a draw would have been fairer. Furthermore, if we remember their results in UWCL, a terrible loss 5-1 at home to Arsenal and a draw away from home makes the defending champions’ form a real concern. They will hope to find solutions during the international break.
Bordeaux obtained a 1-1 draw away from home against Paris FC. Bordeaux provided a very serious threat and put a lot of pressure on Paris FC even if Paris FC dominated this game. Several game facts which need to be pointed out: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC goalkeeper, hurt her left thumb after 15 minutes of play and was replaced at halftime by Camille Pecharman. The referee received a blow to her nose from the ball at the 35th minute and was replaced in the second half because she suffered a broken nose. The game restarted 15 minutes late after the break as a consequence. Goal for Paris FC from Gaëtane Thiney (81). Goal for Bordeaux from Melissa Gomes (61).
Dijon earned a 1-1 draw at Rodez. This was an enjoyable game between two teams that tried to play their game despite the heavy rain and wind, with the consequence that the goalkeepers were able to show their talent. Particularly impressive in this match were Laurie Cance, Rodez’s captain, and Lisa Lichtfus, Dijon’s Belgian international goalkeeper.
Reims won away from home 4-1 against Soyaux. There was no real contest in this game which Reims dominated. With this win, Reims are now fifth, only a point behind Montpellier ahead of them. Melchie Dumornay was impressive, scoring two goals and adding a decisive pass, as was Kessya Busy with contributed a goal and decisive pass. Goals for Reims from Melchie Dumornay (17, 82), Kessya Busy (56), Sonia Ouchene (90). Goal for Soyaux from Laura Condon (48).
Fleury won 3-0 at home to Le Havre. Fleury dominated this game, and their victory is very well deserved. Fleury stopped their run of two straight defeats, and in doing so ended Le Havre’s record of two wins in a row. As usual, Fleury defender Marie Levasseur provided a good performance. Goals for Fleury from Julie Piga (45+2), Marine Dafeur (47 penalty), Ode Fulutudilu (57).
Paris Saint-Germain could do no better than a draw 2-2 at home against Montpellier. Kheira Hamraoui started again the game for Paris SG but was replaced after 15 minutes due to injury. Montpellier scored first after a hesitant clearance by PSG keeper Sarah Bouhaddi; the ball was gathered by Montpellier midfielders and Nérilia Mondésir received the ball from Dominika Slorvankova to scored. Paris SG should be happy not to have lost this game as there could have been two penalties for Montpellier, the first as a result of Léa Khelifi after 41 minutes and the other by Melchie Dumornay after 72 minutes. Sarah Bouhaddi did have the best performance, and she may have done partly culpable for the second goal of Montpellier for which she was lobbed. Goals for Paris SG from Sandy Baltimore (32), Jackie Groenen (49). Goals for Montpellier from Nérilia Mondésir (24), Celeste Boureille (87).
Olympique Lyonnais was again not able to score and came back from bottom side Guingamp with only a 0-0 draw - the first time all season that Guingamp have avoided defeat. Lyon are struggling to make progress since the beginning of this season. The European Champions' defence is still fragile in the face of counterattacks and their attack lacks accuracy and efficiency. Whilst a few key players are missing due to injury, this does not explain everything, and fans are concerned. On the positive side, two young players of 19 years old, Vicki Becho and Inès Benyahia, who started the game shown that they are ready even if they still need to progress. On the bad side, Lyon forwards could only place eight of their 20 shots on target. Guingamp's Cindy Perrault produced a good performance to help her team to obtain a clean sheet. Luckily for Lyon, Paris SG did not win either and the European Champions are still two points clear at the top.
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