Pre-Match Notes

After a thrilling international break where France’s Women’s National Team came in second after losing the UEFA Women’s Nations League Final to Spain, the Olympique Lyon Féminin is back to face Dijon FCO in the D1 Arkema Regular Season. Lyon is still number one in the standings with 43 points, after coming off a draw to league rivals, Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon is hoping to get back on track with a win against Dijon, thereby further extending their lead in the standings.

Lyon’s match against Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t their best performance. While Lyon was able to maintain possession and get their attack forward, while the backline and defense did a decent job at holding off PSG’s attack for as long as they did, Lyon couldn’t find an attacking rhythm in that match. The attack at times was struggling to connect, and the team was having a hard time getting past PSG’s keeper. As mentioned in the match against PSG, questions can be raised about whether Lyon will be able to face more challenging teams, that are able to get their attack forward, and put Lyon’s midfield and backline under pressure.

When it comes to this match against Dijon, Lyon is likely to come away with the win. Lyon, for the most part, will be able to maintain control and possession, and will be able to get their attack forward, without facing much resistance and challenge from Dijon. Lyon’s midfield and backline will also be able to respond to Dijon’s counterattacks and transitions, as well.

However, Lyon, in their upcoming matches, still needs to keep their draw against PSG in the back of their minds as a reminder, that not every team is going to be as easy to break down, not every team is going to go down without a fight. As Lyon’s season continues, the matches aren’t going to get easier; they’re going to get harder and more challenging, and the team needs to be prepared to face those challenges and obstacles, and find solutions on how they will overcome them.

For now though, Dijon is Lyon’s current obstacle, and how Lyon goes about overcoming this team and getting a win will hopefully be fun and entertaining to see.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders, Alice Sombath, Kysha Sylla, Griedge Mbock, and Perle Morroni. For midfielders Damaris Egurrola, Dzsenifer Marozsán, and Sara Däbritz. For forwards Vicki Bècho, Ada Hegerberg, and Amel Majri.

Overall, this is a good lineup with great attacking options. There is good movement in the midfield with players like Damaris, Marozsán, and Däbritz pressing, and creating services for the attack. Most likely, the midfield and attacking players will be able to connect with one another without much issue. At the same time, it’s going to be interesting to see how Lyon will be able to break through Dijon’s backline and defense. This is where that support in the attack and in the box is going to be crucial. Coming up the wings, we’ll most likely see good services from Sombath and Morroni, which will only help Lyon’s attacking press even more.

While this current starting eleven should be able to get the job done in this match, Lyon also has Bacha, Dumornay, Diani, Cascarino, and Carpenter available off the bench if needed. Dumornay is returning from injury, while Bacha, Cascarino, Diani, and Carpenter are returning from the recent international break. Whether these players come on in the second half or not, this Lyon team is still a dangerous attacking threat, with a lot at their disposal.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 1-2.

Goal Scorers for Lyon: Däbritz (1), Hegerberg (1).

Hegerberg would get into the Dijon box and find her first attempt blocked. Damaris would collect and touch it up to Däbritz, who would score from outside. Dijon would tie things up, but a clever touch behind the backline, courtesy of Majri, would find Hegerberg, and Hegerberg would score Lyon’s second goal of the match. Dijon players would raise their arms for offside, but the official’s flag would stay down.

This first half is going well for Lyon. Lyon has the most possession and control in this match, which is to be expected. The Lyon backline is also doing well when it comes to recovering possession, and responding to Dijon’s counterattacks. It seems as though Sonia Bompastor has been working on recoveries with her team. Defending on set pieces and corner kicks may need more touching up, though.

The Lyon attack is progressing and creating plenty of chances. There is good support in the attack and in the box; however, the attacking players need to put away their chances. Morroni is doing well on the left wing, getting behind Dijon’s backline; however, when it comes to the right wing, it could be better. In the past, the right wing has been an area of contention for this Lyon team if Diani and Dumornay were missing. Both Diani and Dumornay have great pace and footwork, and will be able to get past the Dijon defenders a lot better. Pace is also something Lyon should utilize more in the second half if they want to get past this Dijon backline.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 1-3.

Goal Scorers for Lyon: Däbritz (2), Hegerberg (1).

Cascarino would see her service defended away, and Däbritz would score Lyon’s third goal in the 90th minute, sealing Dijon’s fate. This goal was almost identical to Däbritz’s first goal in the first half.

Overall, this was an all right second half for Lyon. It wasn’t as thrilling as the first half, but it showed Lyon’s game management. Lyon maintained possession and control. They were creating plenty of chances, and Cascarino coming on at the start of the second half would provide better movement and service on the right wing. Lyon for the majority of the second half was forcing Dijon to chase them, while the Lyon team moved the ball around the pitch without much challenge from Dijon.

Additionally, Lyon’s backline and defense were performing well when it came to defending, and recovering possession. The one thing this team needs to work on is finishing their chances, which would include converting rebounds and volleys. Besides that, this match, while challenging, still went according to Lyon’s plan.