Pre-Match Notes: After coming off of a 4-0 win against Montpellier in the Coupe De France, the Olympique Lyon Féminin face Montpellier again, this time for their second meeting in the D1 Arkema Regular Season. Lyon is currently at the top of the standings, undefeated with 36 points.

Going off of Lyon’s regular season match against Paris FC (I didn’t get to watch the Coupe De France) it seems as though, Lyon has solved and worked through their defensive problems in the midfield. There is better control and possession in the midfield, along with better recoveries. There was more urgency to recover possession and shut down Paris FC’s attack. Additionally, Lyon’s response to Paris’s counterattacks and transitions were really good. It wasn’t an easy match for Lyon but they were able to maintain control, keep up their attacking press, and Ada Hegerberg would inevitably seal Paris FC’s fate, and score the winning goal for Lyon.

When it comes to this match against Montpellier, Lyon can definitely come away with a win, but I would like to see that same level of control and stability from the midfield. Lyon’s midfield is great on the attack. I like how well Lyon’s midfield and attack connect, but I still want the midfield, the team as a whole, to also support one another in the defense. I did not have a problem with Lyon’s defense in the match against Paris FC; however, it’s still important that a heavy attacking team, like Lyon, has a strong and solid defense as well.

Line Up Notes

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

This is a good strong lineup. There is a strong attacking line with Le Sommer, Hegerberg, and Däbritz. Horan and van de Donk will also be adding to that attacking press as well. The backline looks alright too. I can definitely see Lyon having the most possession and control in this match, but as pointed out earlier, they still have to watch out for Montpellier’s potential counterattacks and transitions. In general, Lyon should do well in this match. I don’t really have much to say about the lineup except i trust it, so let’s get into the first half.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 2-1.

Gilles would score Lyon’s first goal off a corner kick, followed up by Hegerberg scoring from Bacha’s cross from deep.

Not the cleanest first half from Lyon, but they are getting the job done. Going into the second half though, Lyon needs to be careful when it comes to turnovers, additionally, they have to respond better when it comes to Montpellier’s counterattacks and transitions. Recoveries need to be better and there needs to be better control and stability in the midfield.

When it comes to Lyon’s attack, they are pressing, they’re getting in crosses and services, but there needs to be more in the second half. The right wing is still slightly concerning especially when compared to the left wing. Sombath, Le Sommer, and van de Donk appear to be struggling when it comes to creating chances on the right wing. Lyon should continue creating more chances on the left with Bacha and Däbritz, but most likely Montpellier will defend the left wing more strongly if Lyon just focuses on attacking from the left. Lyon can definitely grab more goals in the second half, however they need to continue finding ways through Montpellier’s defense without compromising their own midfield and defensive stability.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 2-1.

In general, this wasn’t Lyon’s cleanest match, but they still managed to come away with the win and three points. There still needs to be better control and pressure in the midfield. I was surprised to see Lyon not applying much pressure to Montpellier’s midfield and backline, especially when compared to Lyon’s match against Paris FC, where the team was able to take control a lot better and really drive their attack forward. At the same time, Lyon’s responses to Montpellier’s transitions and counterattacks could’ve been better and cleaner. There was some miscommunication here and there, with some attacking players not on the same page.

Lyon still maintained possession and were on the attack, but when it comes to the right wing, at the moment, that appears to be an area of contention for the attack, especially since the team is missing creative players like Dumornay and Diani. Lyon does have their next Champion’s League Group Stage Match against St. Pölten this week, so Sonia Bompastor needs to figure out who will perform best on the right wing. Besides that, it wasn’t Lyon’s cleanest win, but it’s still a win nonetheless that sees them eight points past Paris Saint-Germain, who are currently second in the standings with thirty-one points.