The Lyonnaises and the semi-finals of the Champions League, it is often a story that ends well. Especially when they win the first leg, as was the case nine times between 2010 and 2024: each time, the return ended with smiles and a qualification for the next round. By winning 2 to 1 against Arsenal, which is more in London, on April 19, the Fenottes therefore seemed to have taken a big step towards the José Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon, theater of the competition final, on May 24.
However, nothing went as planned in the return match. Despite the support of their audience of the Groupama Stadium of Décines-Charpieu (Rhône), the Lyonnaises missed their subject completely and were beaten in the big widths by the English (1-4), which will face FC Barcelona in the final.
The Joe Montemurro players’ nightmare-the Australian OL coach arrived at the off-season, after spending four years to coach the Arsenal women (2017-2021)-started from the start of the game. After five minutes of play, the short advantage that they had given themselves in the first leg was already spoiled by a goal against his camp of their goalkeeper Christiane Endler, from the back.
Unable to react and be dangerous despite the return of their captain Wendie Renard, injured in the first leg and who celebrated her 500 on Sundaye Match all competitions with Lyon, the Fenottes suffered the London waves. On one of them, the ball was propelled into Lyon goals by a sumptuous strike at the entrance to the surface of the Caldentey Mariona (45e + 1).
Dumornay did not sound the revolt
The Lyonnaises could not do worse to finish the first period. And could hardly start the second badly. As soon as the locker room returns, Alessia Russo (46e) came to put an additional cold stroke in the stands by victoriously concluding a counter English, well helped by a defense far too apathetic and more with a crawl in this match.
Only at Arsenal left to hold its advantage, which the Gunners applied themselves to do by allowing themselves to swell with a last goal from the wing Caitlin Foord (63e), following a slide from the Canadian Vanessa Gilles. If the Lyonnaise Melchie Dumornay has managed to save the honor at 81e Minute, this goal was not enough to launch a revolt movement and reverse the trend.
The Lyonnaises will try to relaunch themselves by winning an 18e national title. Wendie Renard and her teammates will challenge Dijon in the semi-finals on May 10. The other meeting of the last square will be a derby, between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC.