This Friday, the Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais women’s teams faced off at Parc OL in the Arkéma 2024-2025 Première Ligue playoff final. After the 3-0 defeat, lateral/midfielder Sakina Karchaoui (29) spoke in the mixed zone. She spoke clearly about what’s to come.
Karchaoui “we’ll bounce back for the rest.”
Did the final come down to efficiency ?
It’s always a disappointment to lose a final, but they deserve their title. They finished first in the regular season. Today, we have to rethink a lot of things. We showed great things, we did what the coach asked, we enjoyed ourselves. That was the key. We lost, but we’re going to bounce back.
Is a new page being turned at PSG ?
There have been changes, and there may well be. What we offered was beautiful, we saw a collective, girls fighting for each other. I’m proud of the group and the team. I hope it will continue and we’ll get more opportunities.
Pride, but also regrets ?
No, I think every lesson is worth learning. You have to look on the bright side. We had a coach who explained to us that we had to get back to enjoying ourselves, and he explained the things we had to do for this match. It worked, but efficiency made the difference.
Karchaoui “I’m proud of the team, we have to keep going.”
What will you take away from this season?
I love the girls, my group and this club. You have to keep the love for this club and go out and win for this club. I’m convinced that with certain changes and details, we can achieve great things. I’m proud of the team and we need to keep going.
Did you already wear the captain’s armband invisibly?
It’s true that we’re several managers. I’m not waiting to have a piece of tissue on my arm to set an example, to show the desire and ambition to win. A lot of the girls here deserve it. You have to know how to do things logically too.
Karchaoui “Changes are still needed, we know that.”
Are you asking the players to stay in France for the development of women’s soccer ?
Of course, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I think we need to keep our talent in France. The authorities are doing what’s necessary for development. I’m a firm believer in that. I don’t think I’ll leave without winning the championship, so let’s do it again next season.
What did the change of coach mean to you ?
I’m a professional footballer. I have to set an example. I’ve got back to enjoying myself, and I’ve been able to rest my body and my mind. They were great weeks with Paulo César, and we got back to enjoying ourselves. Seeing smiles is important. We still need to make changes, we know that.
