"Me, you speak to me no age": the famous projection of the prodigy Kylian Mbappé before the World Cup-2018 fits like a glove to the Lyon side, professional at 16 and holder one year later in the European Cup final, against Wolfsburg in May 2018.

Talent does not wait, neither does appetite: "When Mbappé says it's not a question of age, it's the truth. At 21, I have a very good track record but I hope that this is only the beginning and that I will achieve many other trophies, "she said two weeks ago to AFP.

The young woman experienced the very high, very early, with three titles in C1 and as many in the French Championship (2018, 2019 and 2020), but also the backlash of last season marked by the loss of these two crowns.

Defender Selma Bacha, kisses the Champions League trophy, after the victory of Olympique Lyonnais, 3-1 against Wolsbourg, in the Champions League final, on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian Alvaro Barrientos POOL / AFP /Archives

"I do not want to relive that, really", cut Bacha, acknowledging that his team was evolving "on a wire", lessened by the long-lasting injuries of Griedge Mbock and Ada Hegerberg.

"This is why we are talking about a season of reconquest this year".

Detection ... in boys

Undisputed queens of Europe from 2016 to 2020, the Lyonnaises face greater adversity than in the past, with FC Barcelona, ​​Chelsea or Paris SG in major obstacles.

And since the start of the season, they do not really breathe serenity when the level rises: against Bayern Munich, their runners-up, they won late in the first leg (2-1), before giving in (1-0) on the return.

French Bayern Munich striker Viviane Asseyi grapples with Olympique Lyonnais defender Selma Bacha during the Champions League group return match on November 17, 2021 in Munich CHRISTOF STACHE AFP / Archives

"When we lost against Bayern, I sulked until the next day, I didn't want to talk to anyone, I was too upset," recalls Bacha, named Wednesday best player in November in D1, as the previous month.

Her competitive character sticks to the DNA of Olympique Lyonnais, which the little one from FC Gerland joined at 8 years old after having passed a detection ... in boys, by mistake.

Olympique Lyonnais defender Selma Bacha during training on July 6, 2020 in Tignes FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

"It was not me who spoke with them, it was my coach and my dad. I was playing with a headband (in my hair), the N.5, they took me for Puyol. They told me + Ah but you're a girl! You're still going to do the detection + ", she laughs again.

Extended until 2025

The player extended her contract on Monday until 2025, too happy to evolve under the orders of a "super coach".

The induction in April of Sonia Bompastor, who knew her in the young teams of OL, has indeed given a boost to her career.

Before her arrival on the bench, "I'm not going to say that I lost two years, but my progress has slowed down," she admits.

"Sometimes we can + take the lead + in the field because we both have a strong character, but she's a coach who teaches me a lot of things on a daily basis".

In the absence of Amel Majri, seriously injured, Bompastor brought Bacha up a notch on the left wing of the attack, which allowed the side to inflate its statistics and hit the eye of Corinne Deacon.

Olympique Lyonnais defender Selma Bacha tries to outflank Barcelona's Mariona Caldenty, gold in the Champions League final, on May 18, 2019 in Budapest Attila KISBENEDEK AFP / Archives

The coach ended up calling her for the first time in November, admittedly after the withdrawal of Sakina Karchaoui, but by establishing her entry against Kazakhstan (6-0) before launching her in the second half against Wales (2-0), displays that it punctuated with a splendid solo goal.

"She still has this carefree attitude, I hope she will keep it for a long time because that's what we lacked" in this meeting, congratulated her Deacon after the match.

There are now two internships in Bacha, in February and April, to earn his place at the Euro.

© 2021 AFP