Pre-Match Notes: After a short international break, the D1 Arkema regular season is back. The Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, who remain undefeated in the regular season, will be meeting Lille, who have only registered one win so far this season. Then, Lyon will be meeting Brann FC for their Champions League Group Stage Match next Wednesday.

A handful of Lyon players are returning from the international break, and because of that, Sonia Bompastor may choose to rest certain players for this match. Since Lyon also has their Champions League match next week, ensuring that players are being rotated and getting adequate rest is going to be essential between now and then.

When is comes to this match against Lille, I can still see Lyon coming away with a win. The team might look a bit disjointed here and there as the players get readjusted, but from what I’ve seen from Lyon so far, it won’t take them long to get adjusted, and get right back into connecting in the attack and scoring goals. Although, the real challenge for Lyon may come in their Champions League match against Brann who are coming off of wins against SKN St. Pölten and Slavia Praha.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Alice Sombath, Mbock, Wendie Renard, and Perle Morroni. In the midfield Damaris Egurrola, Dzsenifer Marozsán, and Sara Däbritz. And for forwards Eugénie Le Sommer, Ada Hegerberg, and Amel Majri.

This is a good, strong lineup from Lyon. I love this attacking line of Le Sommer, Hegerberg, and Majri, in addition to Däbritz and Marozsán. The team is missing Lindsey Horan, Diani, and Selma Bacha, but I can imagine Sonia Bompastor would rather have them fully rested for their match against Brann FC next week. Horan did take a few knocks in the U.S.’s friendlies against China, so it is essential that she can get rest in preparation for Lyon’s Champions League match. Lyon’s midfield, in general, is very strong, and I predict they’ll be able to manage this game and keep possession just fine. Overall, this starting eleven should do well in this match. They should be able to put this match away early, provided that they can connect in the box and finish their chances.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 2-0.

Renard scored off a rebound, and Hegerberg was able to convert from a penalty kick after Sara Däbritz was fouled in the Lille box. Unfortunately, Lyon lost Eugénie Le Sommer late in the first half. She had to come off early due to a hamstring injury.

This was a very good first half for Lyon. The Lyon team has been very aggressive and ruthless with their attack. There have been plenty of crosses and services coming in, the movement and connection in the attack has been good, but the connection in the box, along with finishing, needs to be better. Early on, Lyon came out with an overwhelming attack, but they were having trouble getting their shots off and finishing. The announcer said, Lyon could’ve had four or five goals in this half, however, it all goes back to being able to connect in the box.

Lyon will most likely be able to score more goals in the second half, especially with the team’s heavy pressure on Lille’s backline and defense. As for Lyon’s midfield, it is looking very strong as well. Good movement, good control, no issues there. As for Lyon’s backline, they haven’t been tested all that much in this match; no issues so far.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 5-0.

Overall, it’s another solid performance from Lyon. Damaris, Mbock, and Majri were able to add to Lyon’s goal count in the second half, but unfortunately Morroni and Swierot saw their goals disallowed. Fans also got to see some debut performances from Julie Swierot, Laureen Oillic, and Wassa Sangare.

This second half was identical to the first half in the sense that Lyon maintained their pace and attack. The team was aggressive and in control. I liked Lyon’s pressure in this game, along with their overwhelming attack. The connection in the box was alright, and finishing seemed to have improved in this half as well. Perle Morroni and Julie Swierot stood out in this match. They both delivered exceptionally strong performances, with Swierot displaying remarkable talent and skill.

It was a ruthless showing from this Lyon team, one that will be needed next week in Lyon’s Champions League match against Brann FC.