Opposed in the 32nd finals of the Gambardella Cup to La Maladrerie, a modest Normandy Regional 1 club, the Parisian U18s saw their journey end this Sunday afternoon at the end of the penalty shootout despite the equalizer returning from the locker room of captain Ibrahima Diaby (1-1, 5 tab to 4).
For this first match of 2025, Thomas Leyssales, deprived of Hermann Diandaga or Ibrahim Mbaye (injury), decided to field an experienced team with several members of the Espoirs group. From the start of the match, the Normans showed the players from the Capital that they were not there to make up the numbers. Dominant, the locals found the crossbar on a strike from Ibrahim Soumah (17th).
At the half-hour mark, it was Hamza Ghertil's turn to get a big chance, but Arthur Vignaud was decisive on his line (32nd). At the end of the first period, the two teams went blow for blow and Ibrahim Soumah finally makes it possible to realize the domination of his family by deceiving Arthur Vignaud just before the break (1-0, 38th).
Returning from the locker room, the Parisians return with better intentions and the captain Ibrahim Diaby quickly equalizes (1-1, 49th). At the hour mark, Arthur Vignaud once again showed himself imperial by repelling a long shot (57th). David Boly's teammates pushed but the Normans threw their last strength into the battle and more than resisted.
Finally, the two teams must decide after a penalty shootout. After leading 3-1 with two saves from Arthur Vignaud, the Parisians, authors of three missed attempts, finally lost (5-4) and exited the competition in the 32nd final of the Gambardella Cup like last year against Olympique de Marseille.
After the early elimination in the Youth League, the young Parisians are suffering a second setback this winter. At a time when an entire generation of players finds themselves at the end of their contract in a few months, this poor performance is inevitably a task.
The composition of PSG : Vignaud – Boly, Camera, Mbemba Nlandu, Fanne Drama – Diaby (c) (Abo El Nay, 69th), Diyinu Nzinga, Jangeal – Nsoki, Ndjantou Mbitcha, Ayari (Ly, 66th)
