Real Madrid held by PSG despite Schröder’s early opener

Schröder was not enough to give Real Madrid a winning start to the Women’s Champions League. At the Di Stéfano, the Madrid side shared the points with PSG in a 1-1 draw in their first league-phase match, a home result that left a sense of disappointment.

The hosts could hardly have made a better start. After only 98 seconds, Schröder opened the scoring from a Caruso pass. Real Madrid could have done more in the match, but Karchaoui eventually replied from the penalty spot to earn the French club a point.

PSG tried to respond through their captain Karchaoui. Following a loss of possession in midfield, she found Feller between the lines, but the latter was unable to finish. Isabela then failed to make the most of a free kick taken from the edge of the area. The match also became tense on the pitch and in the stands: PSG supporters, positioned only a few metres from Real Madrid’s supporters’ section, had to be moved for security reasons after unsporting gestures between the two sets of fans.

It took until the half-hour mark for another attempt to arrive, from Felicia, but it went well wide. The interval did not change the pattern of the match. PSG kept the ball, while Real Madrid defended deep in their own half and looked to threaten on the counter through Eva Navarro’s pace, Caicedo’s creativity and Schröder’s determination.

The Swedish player had several opportunities to score a second: she lost a one-on-one with Kiedrzynek, hit the post after a counterattack launched by Linda, then missed her finish from another pass by the Colombian. With 20 minutes remaining, the referee awarded the visitors a penalty for Lakrar’s foul on Morissaint. Karchaoui converted it.

Real Madrid then stepped up their efforts. Quesada, who had selected Athenea, brought on Beerensteyn, but the Madrid side could not find the net again. They therefore leave with one point and regrets.