OL has regained its first place in the hierarchy of French women’s football. Two points behind PSG before their match this Sunday, November 3, the Rhône club is now one point ahead after its victory against the capital club (1-0). Their last confrontation in May had already tilted in favor of Lyon, winner of the championship final (2-1).
on Sunday, during 6my day of Division 1, the current champion did not hesitate much during the reunion between the two reference teams of the women’s elite. But the narrow score does not reflect the abysmal difference in level on the grass of the Parc OL (Décines-Charpieu) filled with around 15,000 spectators in the stands.
American businesswoman Michele Kang’s club created an incredible number of scoring chances: just under twenty, eight of them in the first half. Among the most notable, a cross shot and a header against the post respectively by Kadidiatou Diani and Damaris Egurrola, or an improbable mistake a few meters from the opposite goal by Haitian striker Melchie Dumornay, although excellent in this performance.
New Australian coach Joe Montemurro’s team only scored one thanks to Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga. Voted best player of the championship last season in the colors of PSG, she left her former teammates no chance by shooting her ball over goalkeeper Mary Earps (27my). However, the Lyonnaises’ dominance was total, monopolizing the ball most of the time and accelerating when they seemed to want to.
“We can do better in finishing, we must score more goals, said OL goalkeeper Christiane Endler, a privileged observer of the inefficiency of her teammates. During the last game [0-0 contre le Paris FC]We had the same problem and we had not managed to score. We still have to work. »
PSG’s cautious tactics
Overwhelmed and helpless, the Parisians never intervened in the meeting. PSG’s only action came a minute earlier, when American Korbin Albert took a deflected ball from distance, forcing Christiane Endler to make a spectacular save. The numerous absences of important players (Sakina Karchaoui, Griedge Mbock, Lieke Martens, Elisa De Almeida) cannot alone explain PSG’s poor performance.
Fabrice Abriel’s cautious tactics need to be questioned. He also rectified the situation at half-time, introducing Bleues goalscorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto in place of midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who was returning from a minor injury. This change to two attackers did not change much in the influence of the locals.
The elimination in the preliminary round of the Champions League, at the end of September against Juventus, seems to have been something of a surprise for the Parisian club, which had not missed the group stage of the European competition since 2017.
PSG now only has the championship (and, to a lesser extent, the French Cup) left to save the season. “ We think it will be a slightly calmer year. We have to recoverGrace Geyoro confessed to Agence France-Presse. We have to focus on the championship and the Coupe de France and make sure it’s not a rubbish season. »
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Other concerns troubled the club internally. Some players would not have understood the appointment of Fabrice Abriel, instead of Jocelyn Prêcheur, in the off-season. Fleury’s former women’s coach, a former PSG and OM professional player, is already under pressure.
An avalanche of scoring opportunities for OL
On the Lyon side, if the effectiveness in front of goal raises doubts, the integration of coach Montemurro seems to be working. Last season, irregular under Sonia Bompastor, the Rhône team played well and benefited from a rich squad.
In the second half, the avalanche of scoring opportunities was impressive. Saves by English goalkeeper Mary Earps prevented PSG from sinking. María Antonieta Katoto achieved two miraculous rescues on her line. By not having the opportunity to shine offensively, the French forward also avoided the collapse of her team.
Weakened by injuries, PSG will need the return of its veteran players to hope to compete with OL. The play-off formula, inaugurated last season, fuels Parisian hopes of returning to normality before this decisive match that will bring together the four best teams of the regular season.
Dominators for twenty years in France, the Lyonnaises will be eager to maintain this national supremacy and reconquer Europe (finalists in 2024). Facing European champions Barcelona and English clubs, the challenge will be more exciting than French matches usually are.
