D1 Arkema: OL champion of France after their victory on the wire against PSG (0-1)

OL delivered the match they needed against PSG tonight (0-1) to claim a sixteenth title in Women’s D1. The Lyonnaises dominated this match, in particular thanks to a pressing which stemmed the Parisian transitions. Dangerous, they nevertheless failed to materialize until Signe Bruune’s goal in the 88th minute. The Parisiennes fought with their weapons, but seemed a tone below. Despite a few bursts during the match, the Rouge et Bleu did not really manage to worry their opponents. The absence of Kadidiatou Diani was felt.

The Lyonnaises above

From the outset, Sonia Bompastor’s players made it felt that they intended to deliver a match of champions. After three minutes, Ada Hegerberg almost scored the goal of the year with a lob of more than 40m which died to the right of the post of Sarah Bouhaddi, beaten. It was Lyon who created the only real chances of the match, with a much greater presence in the opposing area. Delphine Cascarino and Selma Bacha acted as an accelerator on the sides, with several great ball races to progress.

Where the Lyonnaises really made the difference was in the intensity they put into the duels. The Lyon press did a lot of harm to the Parisian defense, which was in great difficulty when it was necessary to try to bring the ball out properly. This pressing led to several dangerous situations in favor of the Lyonnaises. Wendie Renard, also important in defense and recovery, was notably decisive in recovering a ball from the feet of Manssita Traoré: this is where she launched Amel Majri from her camp, before the latter sent a perfect cross to Bruune for the opener.

Paris without ideas

PSG hardly existed offensively during this game. Very embarrassed by Lyon’s pressing, Gérard Prêcheur’s players were almost never able to make rapid offensive transitions. Forced to play on the back foot in the face of opposing pressure, they seemed unable to find any gaps in the Lyon lines. There was better with the entry of Kolbin Albert in support of the attackers, only materialized by a long shot from the American. Really nothing to worry about OL goalkeeper Christiane Endler.

With smaller sizes than those of their opponents, the Parisians struggled to be dangerous from a set piece. He missed a point of fixation in front of the defense, someone to weigh on the central hinge, someone to receive the crosses… in other words, he missed Diani, or more broadly a number nine. Sandy Baltimore nevertheless did his best to energize the PSG attack, with great activity and some flashes. Sakina Karchaoui and Grace Geyoro stood out with several excellent returns, while Sarah Bouhaddi kept her team afloat for most of the game.