OL Lyonnes, former winner of the Champions League, are heading to Arsenal and the Emirates this Sunday (4:30 pm) in the first leg of the semi-finals with a taste of revenge in their mouths and a message, perhaps, to send to the rest of Europe. The Fenottes have lifted six trophies in seven seasons, from 2016 to 2022, before three lean years where their executioners were Chelsea (quarters), Barcelona (final), and Arsenal, in the semi-finals (2-1 victory in the first leg and a 4-1 defeat in the return leg).
In London, they will need to bring out their claws to tame a tough opponent, on an upward trend for several months, and demonstrate that the team has improved. The owners of OL Lyonnes have been particularly active in the transfer market in the offseason, attracting Ashley Lawrence, Ingrid Engen, Jule Brand, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, along with the coach Jonatan Giraldez, a two-time European champion with Barcelona.
“Playing to our experience” “There are nine new players and myself,” the Spaniard mentioned in a press conference on Saturday. “I do not like to dwell on the past because we cannot change it. We need to find the mental and football balance to qualify.” “Tomorrow (Sunday) is a new challenge and we face it with great desire,” also stated Ada Hegerberg, a six-time European champion with OL. “We have to play to our experience and our new dynamic,” added the Norwegian forward, Ballon d’Or winner in 2018.
On the other side, Arsenal also has great resources (Williamson, Little, Caldentey, Russo, Blackstenius) even in the absence of Steph Catley (calf) and Beth Mead (personal reasons), as well as a growing European culture each season.
“A match at the peak” In four years, the Gunners in the women’s team have reached the Champions League semi-finals three times, an impressive achievement after watching the Europe from afar for a long time. Last year, they even clinched the title after overcoming Barcelona. In summary, the English team aims to establish themselves at the top of European football while Lyon is trying to make a comeback.
Last October, Lyon managed to upset Arsenal (2-1). But that was in the league phase and in the small Meadow Park stadium, far from the stakes and atmosphere expected on Sunday at the Emirates in front of tens of thousands of supporters. “The stadium will be full against a great team and it will be a top match,” Hegerberg summarized. “When we reach April, having worked hard throughout the season to get here and start playing against top teams, it’s a dream.”
(Note: The first leg of the semi-finals Bayern Munich – Barcelona and Arsenal – OL Lyonnes on Sunday at 4:15 pm)
