D1 Arkema: in France either, Olympique Lyonnais has no competitor
The logic was respected. If the Lyonnaises plagued for a long time after the introduction of the play-offs in D1 Arkema this season, they made their law reign on the lawn of the Groupama Stadium on Friday May 17, with a 2-1 victory against the Parisiennes. The change in format will, in the end, only be cosmetic. Far, in any case, from being able to deprive the OL players of a 17th French championship title after a regular season ended with 11 points ahead of their runners-up Paris Saint-Germain. Proof, once again, that Olympique Lyonnais remains the undisputed locomotive of French women’s football which is slow to catch up.
The poster between OL and PSG, which has become a classic of French women’s football, does not even shake up the hierarchy. With this overwhelming victory at home, the Lyonnaises remain undefeated for eight matches against the Parisiennes, the longest series of invincibility since the first duels between the clubs which have become pillars of the French championship. This season, Jocelyn Prêcheur’s players only managed a 1-1 draw against Fenottes, losing all other confrontations. “The reality is there, and that means we must continue to work and […] to fill the gaps, admitted, fatalistically, the Parisian coach. We are clearly not at the level of OL.”
The statistical toll is all the heavier as OL had not led so quickly by two goals against their rival since… November 14, 2021, during a 6-1 victory. However, in the pre-match press conference Jackie Groenen, Parisian midfielder, preferred to remember the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, where PSG led 2-0 for a long time at Groupama Stadium before losing. 3-2 at the end of regulation time. “Against Lyon, we were close every time.”preferred to retain the Dutch international.
An optimistic speech not necessarily in line with that of Jocelyn Prêcheur. “There were more than details this evening, we can’t miss 15 or 20 minutes of a match, it’s too important. Some girls are at their peak. But they are not yet at the high level standard.” Opposite, Sonia Bompastor, the OL coach, knows that her players are already evolving in these high levels. After the meeting, she assured that she never doubted the fact that her team would be champions. And this, “no matter the opponent”.
With 17 French championship titles out of the last 18 possible, the Lyonnaises headed to the locker room to celebrate soberly. Because they are not yet full this season. “We’re going to savor between us and we’re going to enjoy a littleagreed Wendie Renard, the OL captain, before immediately warning her troops. But celebrate, no, because we still have a final next week.” In a week, in Bilbao, OL will meet in the Champions League final with an opponent – perhaps – equal to them: FC Barcelona, reigning European champion. But the Lyonnaises will be able to look their opponents in the eyes: they have never lost to them.
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