Pre-Match Notes: After coming off of a 0-7 win against Lille in the D1 Arkema regular season, the stage is set for the Olympique Lyon Féminin to face Benfica for their second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinals. Lyon is up 2-1 on aggregate, and the team must come away with a win if they want to move onto the semifinals. However, in their last meeting, Benfica proved to the 8-time Champions League victors that they will not go down without a fight.

Lyon put on a commanding performance against Lille last Saturday. Lyon were dominant when it came to control and possession, and despite Lille’s defending and goalkeeping efforts, Lyon proved to be relentless with their attack, creating cross-after-cross, service-after-service, goal-after-goal, and not allowing Lille to have any breathing room. There were moments where Lille would get their attack forward, and there was even a moment where Lille was awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the Lyon box, however, Lille would see their only chance to score saved by starting goalkeeper, Christiane Endler.

Lyon did everything right in their match against Lille, however, when it comes to their second leg against Benfica, Lyon needs to approach this match with that same level of ruthlessness. They need to maintain control of the midfield, fight to win back possession, and respond better to Benfica’s counterattacks and transitions. In the second half of Lyon’s match against Benfica, Lyon was able to get their attack forward, and put Benfica on the defensive.

Lyon at their core is a brutal and relentless attacking team, however, they have to be aggressive right from the start. They cannot cave under Benfica’s heavy pressure in the midfield. Additionally, if Benfica scores first, Lyon cannot fall apart like they did in the first half of their first leg. They need to regain their composure, get back in control, and get back on the attack. Lyon can come away with a win in this match, but we need to see more from this team in regards to urgency and intensity.

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 Daniëlle van de Donk, Lindsey Horan, and Sara Däbritz. For forwards Delphine Cascarino, Eugénie Le Sommer, and Kadidiatou Diani.

Besides van de Donk starting in place of Amel Majri, there are no changes from the last line-up against Benfica. Much like the first leg, there is a big focus on Lyon’s attack. This midfield and attack will be successful in this match as long as they can get forward, maintain possession and control, create chances, and score goals. However, the challenges this line-up could face include handling Benfica’s pressure in midfield, as well as responding to their counterattacks and transitions. Lyon needs to practice better awareness in their defensive third, and shutdown Benfica’s attack as soon as possible.

When it comes to Horan, van de Donk, and Däbritz, while they do play more centrally in the midfield and can also play as defensive midfielders, these players tend to be more involved in the attack. However, there needs to be a balance between offensive and defensive play in the midfield, in order for Lyon to maintain control and stability. If Lyon can keep control of the midfield, they’ll be able to get their attack forward more effectively. Perhaps Damaris Egurrola would have been a better selection this time around, since she is able to provide better defensive play in the midfield, and can also get involved in the attack.

When it comes to Lyon’s attack, it is surprising that Bompastor didn’t start Vicki Becho, since she performed well against Lille. Perhaps, with Ada Hegerberg missing due to injury, Bompastor wants to stick with Le Sommer for now due to her experience in front of goal. However, regardless of who’s in the attack, there needs to be good connection in the box along with solid finishing.

This is going to be a challenging match for Lyon, but hopefully the team will triumph in the end.

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 1-1.

Le Sommer would steal a pass back to the Benfica keeper, and play it back to Cascarino instead. Cascarino would score from distance after catching Benfica’s keeper way off her line. Then, poor control in Lyon’s midfield, and poor awareness in the backline would lead to Lyon conceding a goal off a cross from Benfica, tying things up 1-1.

This is nearly identical to the first half of the first leg. A fan had commented in that match saying, Lyon looked scared. When it comes to the first half of this match, it definitely appears that way. Lyon, for the most part, has been able to keep control and possession; however, there have been moments where Lyon appears to just recycle the ball and play it back in order to play it safe. What’s the point of having all this possession if you’re not going to do anything with it?

Despite the attack getting forward and creating chances, they have not been connecting in the box. At times the attack looks slow and unsure of themselves when they reach the Benfica penalty area. By the time they figure out what they want to do, Benfica is already back there to defend.

Going into the second half, something needs to change. There needs to be more urgency and intensity in the attack, as well as better connection in the box. Additionally, there needs to be better control in the midfield. This is where Damaris could come in to provide more defensive support in the midfield, as well as Dumornay and Becho to help Lyon’s attacking press.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 4-1 (6-2 on aggregate)

Goal Scorers for Lyon: Cascarino (2), Diani (1), Amado (OG).

Cascarino’s second goal, identical to the first, would come from outside the box. Then, a cross from Majri would find Horan first. Horan’s header towards the goal would be finished by Diani, making the scoreline 3-1 for Lyon. Then, a long pass up to Diani would be kicked into the Benfica goal by Benfica midfielder, Amado, making the final scoreline read 4-1 to Lyon.

This was a much better performance from Lyon. Lyon appeared more confident and aggressive in the second half, and the attack was able to get forward and create more chances. Connection in the attack and in the box was a lot better, but it still needs some improvement, especially when it comes to the first half. Perhaps this is a new strategy by Lyon where the team gets a read of the opposition in the first half, then comes out with a more aggressive attack in the second half. Maybe this was done to throw off Benfica, and make them think they have the upper hand over Lyon. Either way, it’s clear that Lyon was more in their element in this second half.

While Lyon appeared more adjusted and settled in this second half, an issue for Lyon still lies in their midfield. Lyon, for most of this match, had a good grasp on the midfield, however the team’s responses to counterattacks and transitions, is something Lyon needs to work on more. That is still an area of contention for this Lyon team as they head into the semifinals.

Lyon faced a tough challenge against Benfica in these quarterfinal matches, however Sonia Bompastor’s team showed they are still up for the challenge, no matter what lies ahead.