Saint-Germain-en-Laye (AFP)

The Parisiennes were hooked at home by an attractive team of FC Barcelona (1-1), Sunday in the semi-final of the Champions League, which complicates their task before the return round in a week in Spain.

Having knocked down the ogre OL, the five-time defending champion in the previous round, does not offer a direct ticket to Gothenburg, place of the final scheduled for May 16.

The Spaniards reminded the Parisians during an ultra-contested summit in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines).

The two teams led a real fight, on the lawn and in the stands with cries of encouragement and anger, sometimes, depending on the tackles, buffers and gestures of humor that sprinkled the meeting.

The return, next Sunday in Barcelona, ​​promises to be intense.

Halfway through, it is impossible to predict whether the Parisians will have the leisure to play in Sweden the third European final in their history, after those lost against Frankfurt in 2015 and Lyon in 2017.

Sunday, they have in any case avoided the worst thanks to their goalkeeper Christiane Endler, impeccable in front of Caroline Graham Hansen (9th), "Jenni" Hermoso (35th), Andrea Pereira (36th) or on a direct free kick from Alexia Putellas ( 53rd).

- Katoto, missed opportunities -

The Chilean international, already heroic against the Lyonnaises in the quarter-final second leg, made up for the opening of the Barcelona score, where his culpable exit in the air benefited Hermoso (13th, 0-1), a former the blue and red house.

The top scorer of the 2020-21 edition added a sixth pawn to her tally, forgetting the absence of Asisat Oshoala, returning from injury and entering only in the second half.

Fortunately for the Parisians, they quickly managed to equalize thanks to the unexpected Alana Cook (21st, 1-1), well served by the header by Marie-Antoinette Katoto after a corner from Sandy Baltimore.

Cook was the surprise of the chef concocted by Olivier Echouafni.

Deprived of the explosive Kadidiatou Diani, package on injury, the Parisian coach had established the American to the right of the defense and raised the Canadian Ashley Lawrence a notch above, to an unusual role of winger.

For the rest, the team gathered the usual elements, with Katoto in particular at the forefront.

Once is not customary, the N.9 of PSG and the Blue did not shake the nets, despite two clear chances before the break: "MAK" shot the post (42nd) then missed a face- face to face in front of Sandra Panos on a new pass from Grace Geyoro (44th).

Under the eyes of the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu, the coach Corinne Deacon and an areopagus of the male PSG (Leonardo, Mauricio Pochettino, Presnel Kimpembe), the Parisians suffered in the face of the opposing technique and intensity.

Boiling up to the grandstand of the small Georges Lefevre stadium, the Spaniards could even have gained the upper hand if the referee had granted them the penalties claimed (36th, 45th + 1, 59th) for hands or a supposed fault.

Can't wait for next Sunday ...

© 2021 AFP