Real Madrid says goodbye to the Champions League in Paris

Claudia Zornoza's goal was not enough to overcome a PSG that had more punch

MADRID, 16 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid said goodbye to their chances of advancing in the women's Champions League this season after losing (2-1) this Friday against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, on matchday five of the group stage, after an even match that the Parisians settled thanks to goals from Élisa De Almeida and Diani, despite the white comeback attempt through Claudia Zornoza.

The Madrid team did not take advantage of their European 'final' and said goodbye to the highest continental competition with one day to go. With only five points in the so-called 'group of death', after drawing against the Parisians and against English Chelsea at the Alfredo Di Stéfano, and beating the modest Albanian Vllaznia, the madridistas are eliminated mathematically and will not be able to be for a second consecutive year in the quarterfinals.

Thus, the team led by Gérard Prêcheur sealed their qualification for the next round and will play first place in Group A with Chelsea, after the London team thrashed Vllaznia (0-4) in the other group game. The madridistas will finish their second European adventure in history third, although they will have to receive the Albanian team next Thursday (9:00 p.m.) to close this phase.

Alberto Toril made a single change in the eleven compared to the team that beat Atlético de Madrid (1-0) in the last league game. Freja Siri came on for Zornoza in midfield and the Swedish player soon made herself known. The madridista hit the post with a rebound from the Parisian defense as soon as the match began. However, White's initial plan seemed to completely vanish after fifteen minutes into the game.

De Almeida finished off a corner between the three sticks to put the first and put the French ahead on the scoreboard. Good minutes from the locals who from then on did not stop trying, showing a great offensive game, thanks to the talent of their attacking trident. Baltimore, Diani and Bachmann were a torment for the white defense for a good part of the first 45 minutes.

Even so, the team led by Alberto Toril continued to offer courageous football, and was even able to go into half-time with a draw on the scoreboard. The stick spat out again a great kick from Sandie Toletti and shortly after the Parisian goalkeeper caught a bitten shot from Caroline Weir, who finished off alone inside the area on the last play of the first half.

After the resumption, the intentions of one and the other remained clear. Aware of the need for a goal to stay alive in the Champions League, the white team came out in a rush for a more relaxed PSG, aware of the value of their income. Thus, on the first move White found the crossbar again, after a good move by Feller, Esther and Weir that ended with Athenea hitting the crossbar.

But as happened in the first half, the team led by Gérard Prêcheur struck first again. This time it was Diani who extended the lead, scoring from eleven meters after Olga Carmona knocked down Lawrence inside the area. A reality check for White who, despite the distance on the scoreboard, did not lose face in the game.

Thus, with ten minutes remaining, the madridistas finally found the prize of the goal to get back into the game. Claudia Zornoza took advantage of a great ball from Feller to surprise Sarah Bouhaddi. However, the defensive solidity of the locals prevented the scare from being greater, dispelling any hint of a white comeback, in the face of a desperate attempt by a Madrid team that dominated the final moments, but could not complete the feat.