Paris Saint-Germain has long captivated the footballing world with their star-studded men’s team.
However, on the opposite bank of the River Seine, PSG’s women’s team are rewriting history in a subtle yet significant manner. At the heart of their success lies a team carefully crafted with players from across the globe.
The composed and clinical finishing from Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga and the precision-like passing from Netherlands international Lieke Martens are just a couple of examples of the indisputable impact these international talents wield.
The influx of overseas players has had a profound impact on the PSG women’s squad, both on and off the pitch. The diversity in the squad has undeniably helped cement PSG’s place as a footballing powerhouse in women’s football.
Their infusion of skill, wealth of experience and diverse cultural perspectives creates a potent concoction, steering PSG towards unparalleled success on both domestic and European fronts.
Going Head-to-Head with Lyon
PSG have been in excellent form this season, and are currently in second place in the Division 1 Feminine table as they continue their perennial battle with Olympique Lyon for the title.
Joselyn Precheur’s side have obliterated nearly everyone in their path, winning ten of their 12 games to date. Their only defeat was a 1-0 loss to pacesetters Lyon at the start of the season.
The only other stain in their otherwise impeccable record came in the disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom-half side Le Havre AC in December.
PSG have won their subsequent four league fixtures by a combined scoreline of 20-2, ending their most recent outing with an 8-1 thrashing of relegation candidates Bordeaux.
They have netted 40 goals in 12 games this term, with only league leaders Lyon boasting a better record in the final third, having scored 51 times in 13 outings.
PSG’s eight goals conceded is also the second-best defensive record in the division, with only Lyon shipping in fewer with six.
Precheur’s side did not have the best start to their Champions League campaign, losing their opening two games against Ajax and Bayern Munich.
However, they have upped the ante in recent fixtures, recording consecutive victories against AS Roma, and will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
The Influence of Overseas Talent on the Squad
Foreign players have been at the heart of PSG’s lofty ambitions this season, taking up a significant portion of Precheur’s squad.
Chawinga has particularly caught the eye, bagging nine goals and seven assists in 11 appearances. The 27-year-old is one of the best dribblers in the division, boasting an astonishing 61% success rate.
She has established herself as one of PSG’s best-performing players this season, boasting an average rating of 8.1, which is second only to French defender Sakina Karchaoui (8.13).
Netherlands forward Martens is another overseas player who has made her mark with PSG this season, bagging three goals and three assists in nine appearances.
Australia’s Claire Hunt has also been a prominent member of the squad since signing for the club, and recently notched her first assist in French football in the victory over Bordeaux.
Hunt joined PSG on a three-year deal in September, having previously played for Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Women in Australia.
She featured in every game for her country at the most recent Women’s World Cup, and has continued to impress during her time in France.
February Clash with Lyon Will be Crucial
PSG heads into the second half of the season with an eight-point gap separating them from title favorite Lyon at the Division 1 summit, although they have a game in hand.
Precheur’s side will resume league duties at the start of February. They travel to sixth-placed FC Fleury 91 looking for a win that would help them keep pace with league leaders.
That would set them up nicely for their trip to Lyon on February 11, where another victory would blow the title race wide open.
Hunt and her fellow overseas players will be eager to continue their excellent run of form, particularly given the support the team has received from sports bettors in Australia and elsewhere.
While Lyon is the bookmakers’ favorite to claim the top spot, several betting sites in Australia are forecasting that PSG will give them a run for their money.
Lyon have been dethroned just once in the last 17 seasons, but PSG could upset the odds if they can emerge victorious from their meeting next month.
