Pre-Match Notes: Earlier this week, the Olympique Lyonnais Féminin picked up a 3-1 win against SK Brann in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage, and now the Lyon team is sitting at the top of their group with nine points. Lyon is now back to face Fleury Merogis U.S in the D1 Arkema regular season.

When it came to Lyon’s match against Brann, Lyon overall did really well. The attack was still going strong, despite missing Le Sommer and Dumornay, and the backline and defense did all right as well. The only major criticism I had with Lyon in that match was their midfield. There needed to be better control in the midfield, along with better and quicker responses to Brann’s counterattacks and transitions. There were also too many turnovers in the midfield, and with a team like Lyon, you expect this team to dominate in terms of possession and control. The turnovers in the midfield are a minor issue, but it could turn into a problem for Lyon if they don’t have that consistent control and stability in the midfield.

When it comes to this match against Fleury, I do think Lyon will be able to come away with a win, but there needs to be better control and stability in the midfield, along with better and quicker responses to Fleury’s counterattacks and transitions. Besides that, Lyon should do well in this match with their quick movement and connection in the attack.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Mbock, Wendie Renard, and Perle Morroni. In the midfield, Damaris Egurrola, Daniëlle Van De Donk, and Sara Däbritz. And for forwards Diani, Ada Hegerberg, and Amel Majri.

Overall, it’s a good line up. It’s similar to Lyon’s line up against Brann, with the exception of Mbock starting in place of Gilles, and Majri starting up top instead of Bacha. This midfield of Damaris, Van De Donk, and Däbritz is great attack-wise, but what we need to see from these three is better control, along with better responses to counterattacks and transitions. When it comes to Lyon’s attack, I don’t think there will be any issues there as long as the team can connect in the box and finish their chances. With Hegerberg and company, that is almost guaranteed.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 1-1.

This is the first time I could say that this wasn’t a good first half for Lyon. Renard went down with a hip injury and was subbed out early for Vanessa Gilles. Then Fleury caught Endler out of the goal and scored from outside the box. It’s good that Damaris was able to get one back before halftime, but performance-wise, it’s definitely not Lyon’s best performance so far. The best word I can use to describe Lyon’s first-half performance is sloppy. There still isn’t enough control in the midfield, especially with this Fleury team playing with five in the midfield. Additionally, Fleury’s counterattacks are also causing some problems for Lyon, and the team needs to do a better job when it comes to responding to Fleury when they get the ball and are on the attack.

Going into the second half, there needs to be more from Lyon, especially when it comes to the attack. There needs to be more urgency and pressure, and more crosses and services. At the same time, there needs to be better support in the box. Lyon can definitely come back in the second half, but they have to up their intensity. They can’t go into the second half, playing like they did in the first half.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 3-1.

This was a good win for Lyon. Hegerberg and Horan were able to add to Lyon’s scoreline in the second half. Overall, the second half was a lot better than the first half. Better organization in the midfield and attack. Better movement and touches on the ball. Better connection between Carpenter and Diani as well. They looked a bit off in the first half, but in the second half, it was a lot better for them. Lyon looked more like themselves in this second half. There was definitely more urgency from the midfield and backline when it came to recovering possession and shutting down Fleury’s counterattack. In general, there just seemed to be more urgency and intensity from the Lyon team in this half. I think Lyon at halftime realized Fleury was going to put up a fight, and they needed to change how they played going into the second half if they wanted to come away with a win. This was a good win, but it was probably one Lyon didn’t think they would have to fight so hard for.