The talented Saint-Etienne from the Paris region 4 years ago (Issy-les-Moulineaux) continues the exploits for our greatest pleasure.

While Saint-Etienne was at the beginning of the season in the relegation zone, the stéphanoises quickly reacted to protect themselves from this deadline.

Sarah Palacin has largely contributed to this maintenance with these 13 goals, her humility, her talent and her work!

We then asked her a few questions to get to know her a little better

What was your football career?
I started football at the age of 9 with the boys at Plessis-Paté (Essonne). At the age of 15 I joined a women's club, the Val d'Orge which now evolves into D2. In 2008, I joined Issy les Moulineaux where I did 1 year of D3 and 2 year of D2 before joining ASSE since 2011.

 Have you had doubts during your career? How did you go beyond that?
My career is a big word, but yes we still doubt at times, whether we made the right choices by example. Doubts leave fairly quickly, I have always been very well surrounded and advised.

How is your season with Sainté?
My season with Saint-Etienne, is going pretty well. We had a difficult start to the season, it's true, but in recent months we feel that the collective is much better.

You're one of the best attackers of D1 this season, do you aspire to play at a higher level, like the Champions League?

The Champions League remains a competition that all players hope to participate at least once for sure ...

Your season starts for you, do you think you have the opportunity to play in France?
For the France team, we will go step by step. There is the France B team already, I hope not to be part of it one day. Now I still have a lot of work to do to claim it.

 You also posed for a sportswear brand, Baring, do you plan to continue in this area? In what area would you see for a possible reconversion after football?
Yes I asked for the brand BARING so why not! If I have the opportunity to do it again, I would do it with great pleasure. Next to football, I work full time in insurance, it's really a field that I like and I would continue even after football.

You spend Monday on Eurosport in Women's football, is it for you a beginning of consecration vis-à-vis your career?
I'm invited on Monday on the Women's football board, but I do not take it at all as a consecration of my career, but rather for the form and the current results of the team.

Do you see an evolution of women's football?
Women's football has been evolving for a few years now! There is a great job done by the FFF for its development. And there is more and more media coverage, it's very good for women's football!

Would you like to play NWSL? French players are very much in demand!
To play in NWSL, why not, it is a beautiful experience abroad if one day I have the opportunity to live this adventure, I would live without doubt.

Saint-Etienne encourages the diversity of his club just like Arsenal, did you appreciate this state of mind?

ASSE encourages the diversity of its club! I appreciate this state of mind all as ARSENAL does.

Two major competitions will be held this year for the French team, do you believe in the victory of the French in the Algarve and the World Cup? Why (strengths, weaknesses)?
Yes I totally believe in the chances of the France team. It would be great for women's football! There are huge individualities and a very good collective! They really have all their chances.

Dounia Mesli

Photos: DR