Pre-Match Notes: After a 2-0 win against the Swedish club SKN St. Pölten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Olympique Lyonnais Féminin is back to face Guingamp in the D1 Arkema Regular Season. After what some may consider a lackluster performance against St. Pölten, the Lyon team hopes to come out strong against Guingamp.

Despite the Lyon team coming away with a 2-0 win in their Champions League match against St. Pölten, some people pointed out that Lyon didn’t do as well in that match when compared to their previous games. For example: Lyon’s 4-1 win against Dijon, their 9-0 win against Slavia Praha in the Champions League, or their 5-0 win against Montpellier.

Lyon didn’t perform as badly as some may think. The scoreline isn’t as high as we would expect, due to a combination of things. St. Pölten’s defense and goalkeeper did well when it came to holding off Lyon’s attack. At the same time, Lyon wasn’t finishing some of their chances. The first half of that match left much to be desired. Lyon didn’t seem as intense or ruthless in the first half. However, things did pick up for Lyon on in the second half. Lyon still maintained their possession and were still on the attack. Additionally, they were creating more chances and making more attempts on goal. I noted Lyon appeared more settled in the second half, whereas in the first half, it was like they were struggling to find their rhythm.

Perhaps by Lyon’s standards, which are very high, it might not have been a good performance. Overall, there were still some good things to take away from the match against St. Pölten. Lyon is still very consistent with their attack, along with their control and possession. However, I am noticing a consistent issue, and that is turnovers in the midfield. Lyon is usually quick to recover possession and respond to counterattacks and transitions, but the turnovers in the midfield are still something they have to be careful with.

When it comes to this match against Guingamp, I can definitely see Lyon maintaining possession and control without issue. I can definitely see them being on the attack for the majority of this match, creating the most services and crosses, but Lyon needs to connect in the box and finish their chances. Connection in the box is usually good, but finishing is going to be essential for Lyon.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Griedge Mbock, Wendie Renard, and Selma Bacha. In the midfield, Damaris Egurrola, Daniëlle Van De Donk, and Lindsey Horan. And for forwards, Kadidiatou Diani, Eugénie Le Sommer, and Amel Majri.

I can definitely see this starting eleven getting the job done, provided that they can connect in the box and finish their chances. If the attack can finish their chances, this could be a high-scoring game for Lyon. There’s good control and movement in the midfield as well with Damaris, Van De Donk, and Horan, but they still need to be careful with those turnovers in the midfield. Overall, this is a strong lineup. Hopefully, Lyon will be able to put on a good performance.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 3-1.

This was a good first half from Lyon. Two goals from Horan and Van De Donk, and an own goal from Guingamp. Lyon were dominant when it came to control and possession in this half. Lyon were especially ruthless when it came to recoveries and winning back possession, going for 1v1s and 2v1s in the midfield. Attack-wise, Lyon were maintaining an aggressive attack, with a lot of heavy pressure, crosses, and services. This is great to see from Lyon. Things may have slowed down late into the half, but I didn’t see an issue with it because, up until Guingamp scored from a set piece outside the Lyon box, Lyon were already up by three. In the second half, I can imagine, Lyon is going to be on the attack again, and we could see Däbritz, Marozsán, Hegerberg, or Becho come in.

Overall, this is a great performance from Lyon. Definitely a step up from the match against St. Pölten. I was a little concerned because I saw that five-back in the Guingamp backline, and I remembered, St. Pölten played with a five back, and it gave Lyon some trouble. However, Lyon has been able to break through Guingamp without much issue. Bacha, Majri, Diani, and Carpenter have been able to get behind the backline with ease. For the second half, I would like to see Lyon up their pace and get back on the attack.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 5-1.

This was a good performance from Lyon. Great goals from Horan, Van De Donk, and Hegerberg, who scored twice after she was subbed in. The second half was a replica of the first half. Good control and possession, strong aggressive attacks with a lot of pressure, services and crosses, and great support in the box as well. I feel like the only difference from the first half was that Lyon seemed more ruthless in the second half when it came to the attack and how they were recycling the ball. Overall, it was a brilliant and strong performance from the Lyon team.

Speaking of strong performance, Guingamp’s goalkeeper, Cindy Perrault, had some really good saves in this match. As commentators like to say, the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story. Perrault came up big many times for Guingamp in this match. Obviously, it’s not the scoreline Perrault and her team would want, but she was doing all that she could to hold off Lyon’s attack. Having seen how unforgiving and relentless Lyon’s attack can be, defending against them is a challenge in and of itself.