Image via Wing Chong (@thoughtsofawing) for Constancy Sport
It’s set to be an interesting match up today as Brighton & Hove Albion host Paris Saint Germain in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium this afternoon.
Brighton go into today’s game having finished seventh in the league last season but after reaching the FA Cup final at Wembley and strengthening multiple positions over the summer, the Sea Gulls are hoping to have a positive start to the 26/27 campaign.
Meanwhile, PSG finished third in the league last year, were runners up in the Coupe de France and were knocked out of the champions league in the league phase, which by their standards, is sub par. They too have signed a variety of players this summer however have gone for a more youthful outlook on things.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Starting XI: Loeck (GK), Auee, Hayes, Minami, Olislagers, Walti, Joramo, Kirby ©, Murphy, Garcia, Seike
PSG
Starting XI: Kiedryzynek (GK), De Almedia, Karchaoui, Jourde, Chagas, Groenen, Leuchter, Feller, Mbock, Charlier, Olga
Paris Saint Germain kicked off on the South Coast this afternoon through Romee Leuchter, although both sides looked surprisingly even in the opening stages.
PSG soon earned the first corner of the game but Leuchter’s delivery sailed straight into the gloves of Melina Loeck.
Brighton registered their first real chance of the game in the ninth minute, with Kiko Seike applying pressure deep on the right-hand side. PSG’s Naomie Feller however was able to regain possession for the visitors and break through on the counter attack, but her effort flew well over the bar.
PSG looked to have a chance to break the deadlock in the 15th minute with Sakina Karchaoui and Leuchter linking up in front of goal. However, Moeka Minami produced a fantastic block to stop the visitors getting ahead.
The hosts soon won their own first corner of the afternoon, with Marissa Olislagers delivering into a dangerous area. Olivia Garcia was unable to make contact with the cross, however.
The next real chance of the game came courtesy of a stellar cross from Isabela Chagas, Naomie Feller however missed the target once more.
Moeka Minami provided a huge ball over the top from within her own half in the 35th minute, sending Fran Kirby racing up the pitch, the seagulls looked to be through on goal, the latter however was unable to find her footing though, and the opportunity went begging.
PSG finally found the opener three minutes later after Sakina Karchoui sent Caitlin Hayes spinning on the left, providing the perfect delivery for Alyssa Charlier to slot the ball home.
38’ GOAL – Alyssa Charlier
Brighton were awarded a free kick in dangerous territory moments before half time. A short pass from Marissa Olislagers found Fran Kirby, who crossed the ball towards goal, Brighton looked to Caitlin Hayes, whose header sailed into the gloves of Kiedrzynek.
Seconds later, Brighton regained possession from the resulting goal kick and came close once again, with the ball flying within inches of the post.
With two minutes added time announced, PSG earned a free kick on the edge of the box. Romee Leuchter’s ball looked to be heading straight towards the face of goal, however the host’s wall proved to be the better, standing tall and sending the ball back to the feet of Leuchter and preventing the deficit being doubled.
HALF TIME: BRIGHTON 0-1 PSG
Second half XI:
Brighton: Heeps (GK), Vanegas, Pegram, Symonds, Haley,Cankovic, Rayner, Tvedten, Peskett, Tsunoda, Rule
PSG: Kiedryzynek (GK), De Almedia, Karchaoui, Chagas, Groenen, Leuchter, Feller, Elimbi Gilbert, Ebayilin, Mbock, Morissaint
With a full team of subs from Brighton, the second half was under way.
Sophie Peskett provided the first chance of the half in the 49th minute, crossing the ball to Madison Haley who was unable to find the target.
An unexpected misplaced pass from the PSG back line gifted Brighton the first corner of the second half. Jelena Cankovic delivered, but her effort failed to cause any real danger.
A relatively quiet ten minutes meant that the next piece of action was a six way substitution from the visitors at the 60th minute mark with Thiniba Samoura, Paulina Dudek, Tante Diakite, Noemie Fatier, Jade Le Guilly and Marie Estella Lafontaine replaced Elisa De Almeida, Isabela Chagas, Jackie Groenen, Romee Leuchter, Naomie Feller and Griedge Mbock on the field.
Five minutes later, it looked as though PSG were about to find their second of the game. Elimbi Gilbert broke free from Charlie Rule on the wing and pushed high on the pitch, Jelena Cankovic however, denied the visitors once more.
With 20 minutes on the clock, the final hydration break of the game was made and Sakina Karchoui made way for Gabrielle Le Roux
Brighton earned yet another corner in dangerous territory once again once play continued, however Cankovic’s ball was deflected back into the possession of the parisians
After 75 minutes, Jelena Cankovic made way for the gulls’ latest addition, Gabby George, who received a warm welcome from the Albion supporters upon her home debut.
Kiedryznek was put to action soon after, with a double attack from the gulls putting the visitors’ lead under serious pressure.
With five minutes remaining, Sophie Peskett earnt Brighton another free kick on the edge of the box and it was here that the hosts found their first of the game, with Maisie Symonds shooting the ball beyond the keeper and bringing the game level.
85’ GOAL – Maisie Symonds
Four minutes of added time were announced, but Brighton were to deal with a late blow when Bex Rayner was forced off the pitch. Tahirah Heron was introduced as the hosts’ final substitute.
PSG were still searching for a late winner, with Eleanor Heeps forced into a save from a long-range effort in the dying moments. It proved to be the final attempt of the afternoon.
Full time – Brighton & Hove 1-1 Paris Saint Germain
A positive performance from both sides meant that the game ended in a stalemate on the south coast. PSG looked to have the win in the bag for the first 60 minutes however Maisie Symonds free kick provided an extra life from Brighton, who saw the game out at a goal a piece
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