Pre-Match Notes

The 2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League season has been an exciting one so far. Now, the stage is set for eight-time Champions League victors, Olympique Lyon to take on their league rival, Paris Saint-Germain in the UWCL Semifinals.

This match, without a doubt, is going to be a challenging one for the Olympique Lyon Féminin. Lyon, in the D1 Arkema regular season, is at the top of the standings with 58 points. Their record so far is nineteen wins, and one draw; that single draw coming from Paris Saint-Germain, where the Lyon team struggled to find their form and attacking rhythm.

The challenge for Lyon is going to be everything! The backline needs to be alert and aware in regard to long passes and through balls behind the backline. They need to be able to recover possession and shut down PSG’s attack as quickly and as cleanly as possible. Additionally, there needs to be good support in the defense and backline.

The midfield is going to be an area of concern in this match. Lyon needs to maintain control and possession, as well as be able to connect with the attack. There also needs to be a balance between offensive and defensive play in the midfield, especially when it comes to 1v1s, and fighting to regain possession. If Lyon can’t keep control then they’re not going to be able to create the chances they would like.

In regard to Lyon’s attack, the team is currently missing both, Ada Hegerberg and Eugénie Le Sommer due to injuries. However, this doesn’t make Lyon any less of an attacking threat. They still have Delphine Cascarino, Vicki Becho, Kadidiatou Diani, and Melchie Dumornay in the attack, as well as Lindsey Horan and Sara Däbritz* in the midfield, and Selma Bacha, Perle Morroni and Ellie Carpenter, able to create crosses and services on the wings. While Lyon still has strong and capable attacking players, the challenge for this team is going to involve breaking through PSG’s backline and defense, connecting where it counts, and finishing their chances.

This isn’t going to be a walk in the park for Lyon; the chances and goals aren’t going to come easily. If Lyon wants to be successful in this match, they need to step up to the challenge and be ready to fight for their win.

*UPDATE: Sara Däbritz (ankle surgery) and Dzsenifer Marozsán are unavailable for this first leg. Per Fenottes and OL+.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Christiane Endler in the goal. For defenders Ellie Carpenter, Griedge Mbock, Wendie Renard, and Selma Bacha. For midfielders Lindsey Horan, Damaris Egurrola, and Melchie Dumornay. For forwards Kadidiatou Diani, Vicki Becho, and Delphine Cascarino.

Lyon could be playing in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. If it is a 4-3-3, then Dumornay playing in the midfield is an interesting choice, especially with Daniëlle van de Donk being available. I can understand Sonia Bompastor being cautious with the midfielders, given the fact that Däbritz and Marozsán are both out. Another option Bompastor could have gone with was playing Bacha in the midfield then have Morroni in the backline, or play Majri in the midfield, and let Bacha stay in the backline. Regardless of who’s in the midfield or not, the challenge for Lyon still remains the same: Will Lyon be able to keep control in this match?

First Half Notes

Olympique Lyon 0-1.

Up until PSG scored in the 44th minute, Lyon were doing pretty well. Possession appeared to be split; and there was good back-and-forth between both sides. There was good control in the midfield from Lyon, and the attack was able to get forward and create some chances. Defensively, Lyon were doing all right, except Bacha is needing to do better defending that left wing. Additionally, the backline needs to close down any gaps and openings in their defensive third. There also needs to be more support in the defense from the rest of the team. Besides that I can’t say this first half was totally bad.

However, when it comes to Lyon’s attack, while they are creating some good chances, the finishing in the box is still an issue. Hegerberg’s absence is definitely being felt. If Lyon can’t connect and put away their chances, there is no possibility of them coming back in this match. Going into the second half, there needs to be good connection in the attacking third, and strong finishing.

Lyon can definitely make a comeback, however, it’s going to require more effort and hard work from the team as a whole.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Olympique Lyon Wins 3-2.

Goal Scorers for Lyon: Diani (1), Dumornay (1), Majri (1).

After going down 0-2 at the start of the second half, Carpenter and Diani would connect to grab Lyon’s first goal. Dumornay would grab the second after a quick touch from Renard. Majri would grab Lyon’s third goal, after a pass from Dumornay.

Lyon pulled off the impossible. Going down 0-2 at the start of the second half, then coming back to win 3-2 late into the second half. It was great to see the attack starting to come together and connect more in the box and around the attacking third. I thought after Lyon went down 0-2, that was it. There was no chance of this team coming back especially with how badly the backline was playing, and how there was little to no connection or finishing in the attack. I have no idea when it finally clicked for Lyon, but they settled into the game, took control, and were on the attack. Lyon upped their intensity and urgency and finally, it started to come together.

However, there are still things this Lyon team is needing to work on. The backline and defense need to do better. There were too many times where PSG was able to get into the Lyon box undeterred. There were also too many gaps and openings in the defense, particularly on the left and right wings. The backline needs to do better closing those gaps. Additionally, they, along with the midfield need to do better responding to PSG’s transitions; That is still a weak spot for this team.

When it comes to Lyon’s attack, while they were able to sort themselves out late in the second half, they still need to work on finishing. Connection in the attacking third was great to see from this skilled Lyon side, however the team has to finish and score goals.

Overall, this was a great match. Despite Lyon going down 0-2, they didn’t let that frustrate or deter them. They made some mistakes in the defense; however, they regained their composure, stayed calm and just played. It was good to see the team not collapse under pressure. Granted, Lyon, with their years of experience, have faced high-pressure, high-stress situations before. Lyon kept it together and pulled off an impressive win.