Europe 1 with AFP 7:19 p.m., December 20, 2022

After a complicated start to the competition, reigning European champion Lyon play their qualification for the quarterfinals of the Women's Champions League against Juventus Turin, Wednesday at home on the last day of the group stage, for the first match of OL under the American flag.

The Olympique Lyonnais women's team is playing its future on Wednesday evening in the Champions League.

Now in the lead, tied with Arsenal, Olympique Lyonnais (ten points) can settle for a draw to qualify, while winning is imperative for Juventus, third with eight points, to climb to one of the first two places in Group C.

"It's symbolic, but above all we must qualify for the rest of the season. There have already been some exchanges by messages with John Textor who would be the first delighted to have a first female victory", slipped the Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor at a press conference on Tuesday.

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"Fate in Our Hands"

Beaten at home by Arsenal (5-1), Lyon then conceded a draw at Juve (1-1) before winning three times in a row against FC Zürich (3-0, 4- 0) and December 15 in London against the London club (1-0).

"We have mentally overcome a complicated situation, commented Bompastor. We have our destiny in our hands but we are used to playing to win. We are at home. Our situation is more comfortable than that of Juve."

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Difficult game

OL are expecting a difficult match against an improving opponent who has always caused them torment in recent seasons.

"This team, which we have faced regularly for a few seasons, can cause us difficulties. Each time the scenarios can be surprising, like last season with this exclusion that we had suffered and which had put the Turinoises back in the game", recalls the technician.

"Mentally, their players don't give up and are very well prepared tactically and collectively. Quick in attack, they can hurt us on the counterattack. They are still alive and will come with the motivation to know the rest of the competition", continues Bompastor .

This will be able to rely on the same group as that selected for the last match against Arsenal by adding German midfielder Sara Däbritz, absent since the end of September and recovered from an ankle injury.