Manchester United Women’s hopes of the reaching the group stages of the Champions League for the first time ended in defeat to Paris Saint-German in the second leg of the qualifying round.
The Reds came into the French capital in optimistic mood after they came from behind to draw 1-1 last week at Leigh Sports Village. We lined up in our preferred formation of 4-2-3-1, compared with our alternative look from the first leg. Geyse led the attacking line with Leah Galton and Melvine Malard on the wings. Ella Toone started ahead of the midfield pairing of Katie Zelem and Lisa Naalsund.
United concede the opening goal again
United endured another tough start with PSG taking the lead in the 18th minute. Tabitha Chawinga, who caused us problems in the first leg drew Jayde Riviere and Maya Le Tissier in with her pace on the left and then saw her effort saved by Mary Earps. No one was around to pick up the rebound with the ball falling to Lieke Martens, who smashed it past Earps to give the French side a 1-0 lead.
We grew into the game thereafter and were carving out chances. The best chance of all came just before half time with Ella Toone being put through by Geyse but ending up dragging her effort wide of the goal. Though clearly through on goal but just couldn’t find the target. This is something that would be repeated by United and cost them throughout the game.
United’s hopes of a comeback dashed
Despite only being 1-0 down at half time, United hit straight back early in the second half. Geyse got past the PSG defence on the right before putting the ball across the box for Lisa Naalsund to put it past Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in the 47th minute to level the tie.
However, our joy was short lived with PSG scoring a minute later to retake the lead. Chawinga got past Riviere again on the left wing before passing the ball into the path of Lieke Martens to slot home her second goal of the game. Mary Earps had no chance given how quickly the PSG attack came about.
The Parisiens exerted their control on the game when they scored their third of the game nine minutes later. Sandy Baltimore got a run on Hannah Blundell on the right. Her curling effort looped over Earps to make it 3-1.
The Reds didn’t give in and should have pulled a goal back. Leah Galton had beaten the PSG keeper Kiedrzynek to the cross inside the box and headed the ball home. However, the referee had called for a foul on the keeper. This was a contentious decision, which was not the first to go against United.
We did have a huge chance when Lucia Garcia setup Geyse on goal. The Brazilian failed to get her effort away after taking three touches on the ball. This allowed the opposition defence to recover and clear the effort.
This was to be the last effort of significance for United though they were half chances during injury time. Even if we had pulled one back, it left virtually no time to then grab the equaliser.
It is disappointing not to have reached the group stages of the Champions League. United know the standard required and will look to return back to this stage next season.