Pre-Match Notes: It is 2024, the New Year has kicked off, and Sonia Bompastor and the Olympique Lyon Féminin are back for the second half of their season. Olympique Lyon will be facing Paris FC in the D1 Arkema regular season. So far Lyon is undefeated with 11 victories in the regular season, and is at the top of the standings with 33 points. Paris FC comes in second with 25 points and a record of 8 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.

Lyon’s last game, before the holiday break, was a Champions League match against SK Brann, where Lyon came away with a 2-2 draw after Lindsey Horan was sent off with a direct red, and the Lyon team went down to ten players. Additionally, Lyon would also end the first half of the regular season with a 3-1 win against Fleury.

As the first half of Lyon’s season started to wind down, there were problems beginning to develop with the Lyon team. The consistent issue I’m starting to notice with Lyon has to do with their midfield, particularly when it comes to turnovers, control, and responses to opposing teams’ counterattacks and transitions. Those issues in the midfield show up more when it’s time for the Lyon team to get on the defensive.

It’s important to note, Lyon’s midfield is great on the attack. There is great connection between the midfield and the attack, and great attacking press from the midfield players. However, Lyon’s midfield needs to do better on the defensive end. They need to respond better and quicker to an opposing team’s counterattack, and they have to do better at recovering possession. I said, in the match against SK Brann, Sonia Bompastor, the training staff, and the Lyon team need to figure out how to balance out the midfield with both attacking and defensive play.

Against a team like Paris FC, who isn’t afraid to challenge Lyon, fight for possession, and will pick their moments of attack, that balance between attacking and defensive play is a must.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Vanessa Gilles, Griedge Mbock, and Selma Bacha. In the midfield, Damaris Egurrola, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Lindsey Horan. For forwards, Eugénie Le Sommer, Ada Hegerberg, and Amel Majri.

This is a good line up. I like this attacking line of Le Sommer, Hegerberg, and Majri. It’s great to see Le Sommer returning to the Lyon line up. She was out for a few games due to an injury.

Speaking of injuries, no Wendie Renard. She is going to be out for a few weeks to recover from an injury. Renard has expressed, she doesn’t want to rush her recovery. Delphine Cascarino, even though she’s not listed on line up, is currently training with the team again. No word on when she’ll be able to start playing in games.

While I am confident with Lyon’s attack, especially with the support from the midfield, I’m more worried about Lyon’s responses to Paris FC’s counterattacks and transitions. The Lyon midfield and backline has to watch out for that, and be ready to respond. Lyon needs to do better with their defensive play, and, as mentioned earlier, there needs to be a balance between offensive and defensive play in the midfield.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 0-0.

Despite Lyon not scoring in this half, this match is going Lyon’s way. Lyon has had the better of possession and control. They’re maintaining at quick pace, with a lot of aggressive and heavy pressure in the midfield and attack. There’s good recoveries in the midfield and backline, and better defending from the backline as well. Lyon has created more chances in this first half, courtesy of Selma Bacha, and has had more attempts on goal.

Going into the second half, I think if Lyon can maintain their intensity and quick pace, they’ll be able to breakthrough this Paris backline. I think Diani would’ve been good in this match down that right wing. I feel like there is an over reliance with Bacha on that left wing, and having Diani on the right would’ve made up for that.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 1-0.

It took awhile but eventually Ada Hegerberg was able to get her shot off and score in the 84th minute. It was a good match, albeit a challenging one for Lyon. Paris FC’s backline proved to be difficult to break through. Still, Lyon was able to maintain control, maintain possession, and get their attack forward.

When it comes to Lyon’s defensive play in this game, the midfield and backline did well. There was good support in the defense, and good recoveries and pressure from midfielders and attacking players like Majri, Damaris, and Le Sommer. The backline was solid and able to hold off Paris FC’s attack. There were some turnovers in the midfield, but Lyon made up for it with their recoveries, and heavy pressure in the midfield and attack. It’s good to see that control from Lyon in this game because it shows that Sonia Bompastor and the team have been working to correct those problem areas in the midfield.

As the game went on, I did get a sense that Diani and Dumornay’s presence on the right wing was definitely missed, since there seemed to be more of a focus on Bacha attacking on the left wing. Besides that, I thought this was a good performance from the Lyon team.