Women's Champions League: after boredom, Lyon qualifies for the quarters

Europe 1 with AFP 9:03 p.m., December 21, 2022

At the end of a dull match and without managing to find the fault, Olympique Lyonnais held on, on their lawn, against Juventus Turin (0-0) to win their qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League .

This result is enough for the Lyonnaises to finish second in group C, dominated by Arsenal.

Les Fenottes finished 2nd in the group behind Arsenal who, at the same time, crushed Zurich 9-1.

The Italians are eliminated.

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First under the John Textor era

History will remember that the first match of the John Textor era, the American multimillionaire who officially took control of Olympique Lyonnais on Monday with his multi-club holding Eagle Football, ends on a positive note, if not a victory.

"I think this takeover will allow OL to be at the highest level again, to be competitive in men's and women's football. It will breathe new life into us to allow us to continue to have ambitions" , had notably entrusted the coach, Sonia Bompastor, on Tuesday at a press conference.

Because for the Lyonnaises, who started the competition very badly with a rout at home against Arsenal (5-1) and a draw in Turin against Juve (1-1) before reviving with three consecutive victories, it was above all necessary not lose on Wednesday to retain second place and two points ahead of their Italian opponent.

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Harmless

But OL have never managed to completely free themselves from the stakes, probably with the fear of living again the same cruel scenario as against Paris Saint-Germain, winner (1-0) at the very end of the game in following a corner on December 11, in the clash of the French championship in which Lyon lost the lead in the standings on this occasion.

Thus, the meeting, between two inoffensive formations, was terribly boring, with very few opportunities.

Juventus, an opponent that traditionally gives the French champions a hard time, has never been able to put OL goalkeeper Christiane Endler in danger.

Lyon, for its part, however obtained two very good chances, without being able to convert them.

A header from Eugénie Le Sommer on reception of a cross delivered from the right wing by Alice Sombath was diverted by the French international goalkeeper of Juve, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (54th minute) who well interposed on a shot from Delphine Cascarino who then shot over (55th minute).

But the main thing for OL was not to lose to reach the quarters, which a reigning European champion had never failed to do until now.

Lyon thus has until March to resolve this major efficiency problem.