Pre-Match Notes: The UEFA Women’s Champions League is back, and the Olympique Lyonnais Féminin will be facing Portuguese club, S.L. Benfica in their first leg of the quarterfinals. Lyon is hoping to come away with a win and grab as many goals as they can in the process. However, Benfica, in the UWCL Group Stage, proved they can hold their own against stronger teams. In their last group meeting with Barcelona, Benfica was able to hold Barcelona to a 4-4 draw, and could prove to be a challenge for Lyon.

Lyon recently played against Fleury in both the Coupe De France, and in the regular season. Lyon would lose on penalties to Fleury in the Coupe De France Semifinals, but would win 4-0 against Fleury in the D1 Arkema regular season. Both matches proved to be a challenge for the Lyon team, as they struggled to breakthrough Fleury’s backline and defense. In the regular season match against Fleury, Lyon would grab two early goals in the first half, but their next two goals would come late into the second half.

While Lyon can get their attack forward, and does have firepower in their attack, with players like Kadidiatou Diani, Ada Hegerberg, Delphine Cascarino, Eugénie Le Sommer, Melchie Dumornay, and Sara Däbritz to name a few, the challenge for Sonia Bompastor’s team in this match will involve breaking through Benfica’s backline and defense. This could prove to be difficult if Lyon doesn’t come out with a quick and aggressive attack right from the get-go.

Another challenge for Lyon will involve their defensive play in the midfield, especially in regards to Benfica’s counterattacks and transitions. Lyon, in their past matches, have displayed a strong attacking presence in the midfield; however, on a few occasions, the team would be caught off guard when the opposing team would counter. This is where Lyon’s defensive play in the midfield, their ability to recover possession, and shut down Benfica’s attack, is going to be essential.

While Lyon is predicted to maintain the most control and possession in this match, there are still going to be moments where Benfica will try to get their attack forward; Lyon needs to be prepared to respond. Overall, in past matches, the Lyon backline has done well to shut down opposing teams’ counterattacks and recover possession. Lyon is predicted to come away with a win and many goals in this first leg, however, Benfica is still a team Lyon shouldn’t take lightly.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Griedge Mbock, Selma Bacha, and Vanessa Gilles. For midfielders Lindsey Horan, Sara Däbritz, and Amel Majri. For forwards Delphine Cascarino, Eugénie Le Sommer, and Kadidiatou Diani.

It’s an interesting line up. Ada Hegerberg isn’t available for this match, but there is still strong goal-scoring potential with players like Le Sommer, Diani, Cascarino, Horan, and Däbritz, who was able to grab two goals in Lyon’s last match against Fleury. I do believe Dumornay would’ve also benefited Lyon’s attack, but it’s likely she’ll come on in the second half. As long as there’s good connection in the attack, and Lyon can finish their chances, the attack should be all right in this match. I still think the main area of concern is how Lyon will respond to Benfica’s counterattack, and whether they’ll be able to shut down Benfica’s attack when they do get forward. Besides that, this match is likely to go Lyon’s way once they get settled into the game.

First Half Notes

Benfica 1-0.

It’s not going well for Lyon. This was a disappointing half for Sonia Bompastor’s team. A misplaced pass from Däbritz to Mbock would get picked off by a Benfica player, and Benfica would score. Then, Benfica almost scored again after stealing the ball off Gilles. This is what happens when the backline and midfield let their guard down, or are being too lackadaisical.

Lyon was a bit shaky at the start, and appeared to find a good attacking rhythm as the match went on. The attack was getting forward, with Cascarino doing well when it came to getting behind the backline, and getting into the box. Her crosses and services have been good, however the connection in the box and finishing hasn’t been good. There’s something missing in the attack, and going into the second half, we need to see more urgency and intensity from the Lyon attack especially when it comes to getting forward and moving through the midfield.

Additionally, we need to see better control and movement in the midfield. Lyon earlier was doing well moving through the midfield, despite facing pressure from Benfica. Lyon can come back in the second half, however, they need to approach this second half with a different mentality, a different plan of attack, because whatever’s going on right now isn’t working for them.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 1-2.

Goal scorers for Lyon: Cascarino (1), Däbritz (1).

This was a somewhat better performance from Lyon. The attack was able to get forward, and we saw more attempts on goal from Lyon. The buildup plays were a lot better as well, and there was better connection in the box. Cascarino, in both halves, proved to be a key player in many of Lyon’s buildup plays. Her hard work would pay off when she was able to score Lyon’s first goal. There was better control from Lyon in this second half, as well as better movement in the midfield. Despite the better performance from Lyon in this second half, there are still things this team is needing to work on, like managing pressure in the midfield, maintaining a sense of urgency in the attack, and having better awareness in the backline.

Overall, this was a good match, where Lyon was challenged by Benfica. A challenge Lyon may not have been expecting. It was great to see Lyon come back to win it in the second half. It’s great that Lyon will go into their next meeting with Benfica 2-1 on aggregate; however, I can’t help but think Lyon, in this match, made things more difficult for themselves, more difficult than it needed to be. From here on out, the challenges aren’t going to get easier. If Lyon wants to continue their Champions League run, they have to be ready to face these challenges. Right now, the team’s biggest challenge isn’t Benfica, it’s themselves.

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