Pre-Match Notes: After coming away with a 4-1 win against Stade De Reims, the stage is set for the Olympique Lyon Féminin to face league rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon sits at number one in the D1 Arkema regular season standings with 42 points and has yet to face defeat. Even though a ten-point gap sits between Lyon and PSG, PSG is hoping to cause an upset, while Lyon will be hunting for another victory.

Paris Saint-Germain is having an interesting season so far. They narrowly managed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages after drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich, and when it comes to the regular season, Paris FC was ahead of them for some time, sitting at number two in the standings. However, PSG managed to come back and reclaim their number two spot.

When it comes to this match, it’s going to be a challenge for Lyon. PSG isn’t a team Lyon can take lightly. While Lyon is able to take control and create service-after-service, chance-after-chance against Paris FC, there could be more of a back and forth between Lyon and PSG. PSG can hold their own when it comes to their attack. They can get their attack forward and are good in transition. Their attack consists of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Jackie Groenen, Grace Geyoro, Ramona Bachmann, and Sakina Karchaoui. There’s also young talent on the team such as Korbin Albert and Laurina Fazer.

Lyon knows what they need to do. They know they need to respond better and quicker to PSG’s counterattacks and transitions. They know they need to cut off PSG’s attack, but whether the Lyon midfield and backline will execute it effectively, is a big question leading up to this match.

When it comes to Lyon’s attack, they’ll definitely be able to get forward in this match; however, PSG is not going to make it easy for Lyon when it comes to getting off their crosses and services. There will need to be more creativity and ruthlessness from the Lyon attack if they want to create those chances and attempts on goal. Diani, Carpenter, Bacha, and Morroni are still going to be essential when it comes to creating those chances. On top of that, finishing and making sure to take advantage of every opportunity on goal is going to be crucial for Lyon, not just in this match, but in Lyon’s upcoming Champions League match against Benfica as well.

Win, lose, or draw, this match could go either way. Whichever way it goes, PSG will be a good challenge and test for this Lyon team.

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. And for forwards, Diani, Ada Hegerberg, and Eugénie Le Sommer.

Good line up. There is strong attacking and goal-scoring potential in the midfield and attack. I’m looking forward to Lyon’s attacking press; however, it’s still important for the team to have a strong response to PSG’s counterattacks and transitions. I’m hoping to see good connection in the attack and in the box, along with solid finishing. As mentioned before, finishing is going to be essential for Lyon. Thankfully, this Lyon team does have strong finishers in the form of Hegerberg, Le Sommer, Diani, Horan, van de Donk, and Damaris. There’s also Cascarino, Däbritz, and Swierot as well. I would like to see more of that rookie, Swierot.

Carpenter and Diani’s connection on that right wing is something to look forward to. Diani’s creativity and sly movement on the pitch, will be beneficial for Lyon in this match. If Lyon can maintain control, if they can keep possession, the attack will be able to get forward more and create more chances.

This match can go either way, but nonetheless it’s going to be a fun game to watch.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 0-0.

This wasn’t the best first half performance from Lyon, but it’s definitely going better than expected. It’s a very scrappy match so far between these two rivals. Possession seems split down the middle between both sides, however Lyon was faring better when it came to crosses and services.

Once PSG got settled, they were able to get on the attack. They were able to create some chances of their own, but thankfully for Lyon, PSG’s attack wasn’t much of a threat. The Lyon backline and midfield were doing well when it came to recovering possession. Mbock and Gilles have been solid in this first half.

When it comes to Lyon’s attack, they haven’t been able to find much connection around the box. They’re creating chances, but the attacking players need to get on the end of them.

Going into the second half, there needs to be more services from Lyon. There also needs to be better connection, support and finishing. On top of that, Lyon needs to possess and control the ball more. They need to regain their composure and find their attacking rhythm again. Lyon can definitely breakthrough PSG’s backline. They have done so a few time in the first half, but they have to continue that fight, continue applying pressure in the second half.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Draws 1-1.

Goal Scorers: PSG scored first in the second half, but an own goal from PSG defender, Elise de Almeida, off a cross from Cascarino would tie the score line at 1-1.

It was a very interesting match. I had a feeling it could’ve gone either way, but the points are split and Lyon remains at the top of the D1 Arkema standings with 43 points. The ten-point gap between first and second place still remains.

There was more urgency from Lyon’s attack in the second half, but that came after PSG scored. The match for the most part was fractured and fragmented with fouls and injuries. Because of that, Lyon may not have been able to find a consistent attacking rhythm in this game. The attack at times was struggling to connect. While there was good buildup play, and good crosses and services coming in, Lyon were struggling to finish and couldn’t get past PSG’s keeper, Kiedrzynek, who had an outstanding performance in this match.

The midfield for the most part was able to maintain control and possession; however, it appeared as though PSG were able to get on the ball more in the second half. Lyon still needs to be careful when it comes to turnovers in the midfield, but overall, they were doing pretty well. Possession appears to be split between both sides. Additionally, both Lyon and PSG’s midfields’ put on a very scrappy display.

When it comes to Lyon’s backline and defense, besides that mistake that led to PSG’s goal, they did really well in this match. They were able to shut down PSG’s attack, recover possession, and make clean tackles and clearances. For the most part, they handled PSG’s attack with almost no issue.

It definitely wasn’t Lyon’s best performance. Questions could be raised regarding Lyon’s Champions League run in the knockout stages. The matches aren’t going to get any easier. We expect a lot out of the eight-time Champions League winners. The biggest question right now is: is this Lyon team prepared this season to face these teams that are going to challenge them and put up a fight like PSG has done in this match? It’s something to think about. If the answer is yes, then Lyon needs to put up a better fight than this.