The Lyonnaises won 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday and confirmed their qualification for the Champions League final.
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This time, they did not need to turn the match around. After opening the score in the 2nd minute, the Lyonnaises offered themselves a prestigious 2-1 victory in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, Sunday April 28, to secure their place in the final (after their 3-2 first leg victory). Sonia Bompastor’s players will therefore play their 11th final of the European competition in Bilbao on May 25, against FC Barcelona, finalist after beating Chelsea (2-0) on Saturday.
Accustomed to major events, Olympique Lyonnais took advantage of their lead sealed in the semi-final first leg (3-2) to simply dominate the match without really punishing. If Selma Bacha did the job at the kick-off with a heavy strike leveling Constance Picaud’s post (0-1, 3rd), the Parisiennes gradually returned to the match, carried by a well-stocked Parc des Princes (29,400 spectators) and yet another goal from Tabitha Chawinga (1-1, 41st). But the Parisian defense once again showed all its shortcomings when Melchie Dumornay launched a sublime collective action with the incoming Vicki Becho and Amel Majri, which she finally concluded from the right from 15 meters (2-1, 81st).
Constance Picaud to avoid a real rout for Parisiennes
However, at the kick-off, Jocelyn Prêcheur made the bold choice of a five-man defense, while his players had to score at least two goals to dream of a ticket to the Spanish Basque Country. But in a particularly wild match, the real star of the Parisian rearguard was Constance Picaud, wonderfully playing her role as double for the injured Katarzyna Kiedrzynek. After being caught in her tight corner at the kick-off, the Parisian goalkeeper disgusted the entire Lyon attack in turn: Kadidiatou Diani (23rd, 43rd), Melchie Dumornay (52nd) then Delphine Cascarino (65th ).
Forced to deal with Eva Gaetino’s lack of anticipation or Elisa De Almeida’s ball losses, the French goalkeeper was even decisive against her own defender, Jade Le Guilly, who came to cut off a cross from Delphine Cascarino in her first post (34th). So many opportunities that Sonia Bompastor’s players were unable to finish, as too often this season.
Reunion with the injured
If they played with restraint for 90 minutes, the Lyonnaises measured their joy much less in the post-match celebrations, running into each other’s arms to celebrate qualification for the Champions League final which had become almost routine for those who are eight times European champions. Eugénie Le Sommer and Sara Däbritz, who were out of action until the end of the season, joined them a few minutes later, being slow to follow the group on their crutches. Even Michelle Kang, the new owner of the women’s Olympique Lyonnais, climbed over the advertising panels of the Parc des Princes to celebrate the first success of her era with a well-stocked Rhone park.
With this victory, the Lyonnaises increase their very positive record against their “best enemies” with four victories (2-0 in the Trophée des champions, 1-0 in D1 and both in the Champions League) and a draw (1 -1 in D1) this season. While waiting to perhaps find ourselves in the play-off final on May 17.