Pre-Match Notes: The UEFA Women’s Champions League is back, and the Olympique Lyon Féminin will be meeting Austrian club, SKN St. Pölten for their second encounter in the group stage. Currently, Lyon is at the top of their group with 10 points and is likely to qualify for the knockout stages. Sonia Bompastor and the Lyon team are hoping to extend their lead with a win against St. Pölten.

Lyon is doing well both in the regular season and in the Champions League. It’s to be expected from the eight-time Champions League winners. I believe Lyon can come away with a win against St. Pölten. Lyon is most likely to have the most possession and control in this match. They’ll also be on the attack for the majority of it. However, there are some issues Lyon needs to be aware of before going into this game.

In Lyon’s first meeting with St. Pölten, St. Pölten’s defense was fairly strong. They were able to hold their own against Lyon’s heavy attacking press. Lyon came away with two goals in their first meeting. Technically, Lyon only scored one of those goals. The second came from a St. Pölten own goal. For this match, Lyon is needing to figure out how to breakthrough St. Pölten’s backline. Quick touches, movement, pace and services could benefit Lyon the best.

Lyon also needs to watch out for St. Pölten’s counterattacks and transitions. Lyon can definitely control the midfield. They can apply pressure to an opposing team’s midfield, and fight to regain possession after losing it. However, Lyon must be able to maintain a balance between offensive and defensive play in the midfield. They can’t just focus on offensive play while allowing their defense and control to slip.

Lyon’s attack should be all right in this match, but one area that could be an issue is the right wing. Lyon has been missing Melchie Dumornay and Diani on the right wing. In Lyon’s matches against Paris FC and Montpellier, the attack coming up the right wing looks weaker when compared to the left wing that has Bacha or Morroni able to find and connect with Däbritz, Horan, or Hegerberg. Right now, Bompastor may be needing to figure out how players on the right wing can move and get their attack off more quickly and effectively while Dumornay and Diani are currently out.

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, Dzsenifer Marozsán, and Sara Däbritz. For forwards, Vicky Becho, Ada Hegerberg and Amel Majri.

Overall, this is a good, strong lineup. It’s good to see Marozsán starting since she hasn’t gotten to start much for Lyon. I am a little surprised Bompastor started her over van de Donk. I figured van de Donk was going to start in this match given that she has started in almost all of Lyon’s Champions League matches and regular season matches so far this season. However, when it comes to Marozsán, for years, she has been an integral part of Lyon’s midfield and attack. While she may not be in her prime anymore, she’s going to be a good contributor to Lyon’s midfield in this match.

The rest of the line up looks all right. I would like to see more drive and urgency from Becho coming up the right wing, along with more overlap plays between her and Carpenter. Besides that, Lyon’s attack should do well this match, provided that they up their pace and get their services, crosses, and shots off more quickly.

Additionally, Diani, much like van de Donk, is available off the bench, and we could see her come on in the second half depending on how things go in the first half.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 3-0.

The goal scorers for this half are Hegerberg (2 goals), and Däbritz (1).

This first half is going as expected for Lyon. Lyon has had the most possession in this half with 67 percent, while St. Pölten has had only 33 percent of possession. St. Pölten hasn’t been able to get their attack forward at all and has had no chances on goal. Lyon, on the other hand, has had the most control in this half. They’re getting their attack forward, they’re creating chances, and have been putting a lot of pressure on the St. Pölten backline and midfield.

Lyon’s midfield has been doing well when it comes to connecting with the attack and battling for possession. Recoveries from Marozsán, Däbritz, and Damaris have also been good as well. It’s good to see that offensive and defensive balance going on in the midfield. Becho and Carpenter on the right wing have also been doing really well. Both Becho and Carpenter were able to get off many of their crosses and services.

Going into the second half, it’s fair to say Lyon isn’t going to take their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. The team is going to maintain their attack and try to extend their lead. We could see Morroni, van de Donk, Le Sommer, or Diani come on in the second half to do just that.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 7-0.

Goal scorers for the whole match: Hegerberg (2 goals), Däbritz (2), Gilles (1), Marozsán (1), and Diani (1).

This was another beautiful performance from Lyon. There was great connection in the attack and great movement and control in the midfield. Lyon did allow St. Pölten to get on the ball more in the second half, but Lyon was quick to recover possession and get their attack forward again.

Diani came on for the final twenty minutes of the match and showed why she is such an important player in the attack and down the right wing. This doesn’t take away from Becho and Carpenter’s performances either. Both of these players were great in Lyon’s buildup plays and attack.

This match went the way Lyon wanted it to. It was a very dominant and commanding performance from Lyon, but it was nonetheless beautiful football from such a talented and experienced group of players. This win against St. Pölten seals Lyon’s spot in the Champions League Quarterfinals.