Pre-Match Notes: The UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stages are coming to a close. The Olympique Lyon Féminin has already qualified for the Champions League Quarterfinals, but the Lyon team has one more group stage match left. Lyon will be facing Slavia Praha for their second group meeting. In their first meeting, Lyon came away with a 9-0 win. The Lyon team is hoping to enter the knockout stages with one more win under their belt.

Lyon is coming off of a 7-0 win against St. Pölten in the Champions League, and a 6-0 win against Nantes in the Coupe De France. Sonia Bompastor said, in the match against Nantes, that she wanted her team to score a lot of goals, and right now, it’s fair to say Lyon is on a roll in the goal-scoring department.

When it comes to this match against Slavia Praha, it’s likely that Lyon is going to come away with a win. The last time Lyon played Slavia Praha, Lyon walked away with a 9-0 win. I found this surprising because Slavia Praha usually has a strong defense and backline. In the Champions League last season, Slavia was even able to keep VfL Wolfsburg to a 0-0 draw in their second meeting.

When it came to their first meeting, it was interesting to see Lyon breaking through Slavia’s backline and defense without much resistance. Lyon made it look easy. In this second meeting with Slavia Praha, it’s expected that Lyon will come away with a win, and maybe even a high scoreline. At the same time, though, Slavia could put up more of a fight defensively since they may know what to expect from this Lyon team.

I’m looking forward to seeing good movement and quick pace in the Lyon midfield and attack, as well as good connection in the attack. I can definitely see Lyon having the most possession and control in this match. They’re going to create a lot of chances down the wings, but quick touches and movement on the ball, like we saw against St.Pölten, will be more effective when it comes to breaking through Slavia’s backline and getting past their defenders. This is where we can see overlapping plays between Carpenter and Diani. Diani, especially, is great when it comes to getting past defenders, connecting with other attacking players, or scoring herself. Additionally, Delphine Cascarino has returned to the Lyon lineup, so we could also see her help bolster the attack even more.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Laura Benkarth in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Vanessa Gilles, Alice Sombath, and Selma Bacha. In the midfield Daniëlle van de Donk, Damaris Egurrola, and Lindsey Horan. For forwards Diani, Ada Hegerberg, and Amel Majri.

This appears to be a good strong line up. It’s good to see Benkarth, Lyon’s backup keeper, starting in goal instead of Endler, considering backup keepers don’t always get much playtime. It’s possible Sonia Bompastor is planning for her team to have the most control and possession in this match, so she isn’t worried about having a different keeper in goal.

This starting eleven should be able to get the job done in this match. There is going to be good possession between the midfield and attack, along with good support and press from the midfield. In addition, Bacha is also going to be able to press with the attack and get off her crosses and services. Carpenter will also be able to find and connect with Diani as well.

The attacking line of Hegerberg, Majri and Diani is very strong, and the only problem Lyon could have in this match is breaking through Slavia’s backline. Slavia Praha may be more prepared this time around. However, once Lyon gets settled into the match and finds their attacking rhythm, they should do well overall.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 1-1.

Goal scorer for Lyon: Majri.

Overall, this was a disappointing and lackluster first half for Lyon. There is no connection in Lyon’s attack. Their crosses and services coming in haven’t been good, or viable. At the same time, the movement in the attack just looks slow.

Slavia’s backline has been doing well to hold off Lyon’s attack. If Lyon wants to get past them they have to be quicker with their touches and passes, they have to be quicker with their crosses and services. At the same time, the midfield and backline need to do better in responding to Slavia’s transitions. Control in the midfield has been alright, and has been in Lyon’s favor, but they need to be more aware of Slavia’s transitions.

For the second half, Lyon needs to up their pace and connect better in the attack and in the box. Lyon can still come away with a win, but it’s clearly not going to come easily. They have to go into the second half with a quicker approach, and different mentality.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Draws 2-2.

Goal Scorers for Lyon: Majri, Becho, and Gilles (OG).

This was a disappointing performance from Lyon. Lyon was able to come back and lead 2-1 with Becho’s goal; however, Lyon allowed Slavia to slip in behind the backline. A deflected shot would become an own goal off Vanessa Gilles.

The second half was a better performance from Lyon. They were quicker with their touches, passes, and services. They were able to get their attack off more effectively. Additionally, there were better crosses and services coming in; however, Lyon couldn’t finish them. That’s going to be a problem for this team moving into the quarterfinals. There were plenty of times Lyon could’ve scored in the second half, but they couldn’t put away those chances.

On top of that, Lyon couldn’t maintain their lead when they were up by one. There needs to be better awareness in the backline especially when it comes to through balls and passes behind the backline. The Lyon defense is definitely skilled and capable, but they can’t be caught off guard.

The same can also be said about the midfield. Lyon’s midfield is usually strong overall, but there needs to be a balance between offensive and defensive play in the midfield. They need to be able to respond quickly to transitions. Lyon, overall, was doing well controlling the midfield in this match, but responses to counterattacks and transitions, needs more focus.