Olympique Lyonnais Féminin vs Chelsea F.C. Women
Just as quickly as the game against PSG went the quarter-finals are upon us. We are first visiting the home of eight-time champions, The Greats, Lyon. The record titleholders reached the final last season and beat out Barcelona for their eighth title, an impressive record only bettered by their league title record. With us falling victim to Barcelona in their season of European glory and 8-time champions Lyon setting straight who the European giants are, it’ll be an interesting game for sure. Will the old guard or fresh faces come out on top in this mammoth battle?
Chelsea
Form: L-W-W-W
A solid 3-1 victory over league rivals Reading to secure our place in the FA Cup Semi-finals has the Blues riding a beautiful high at the minute. A busy March you would be forgiven for forgetting we haven’t played in any UWCL action since we beat PSG 3-0 at The Bridge in December. Well just as quickly as that result was forgotten the quarter-finals have rolled around. It’s a big game to kick us off as we managed to draw eight-time champions Lyon, lucky us…not to fear as a fire was lit under us after our defeat to Arsenal in the Conti Cup final early this month. A fire I hope is still burning bright enough to light the streets of Lyon.
We walk into this game knowing we placed top of our group which consisted of French rivals PSG, Real Madrid and Vllaznia. Lyon however did not fare so well, finding themselves sat in Second behind our WSL compatriots Arsenal. An unexpected 5-1 loss to the North Londoners and dropped points against Juventus eventually cost the European greats. Hopefully, our better placement in our group will be motivation to the girls to go out and put every ounce of energy into this game.
Lyon
Form: W-W-W-W
A team not prone to struggles in form Lyon have been unlucky with injuries this season so far. However, with most of those troubles behind them, they will be looking to get their season back on track. This will start with an attempt to retain their UWCL title. An eighth title was quite the reward for hard work last season and Lyon certainly deserved it after their performance in the final. They have carried on their fine displays this season as well, after a lacklustre pre-season hampered by injury troubles. They have put the work in and got themselves back where they belong. Sitting top of the league one point ahead of rivals PSG and heading into the final of the Coupe de France against the very same team they have a lot to stress currently.
A team with the pedigree of Lyon obviously know how to handle pressure. But, with the league being as close as it is and league rivals PSG still lurking in the UWCL as well you have to wonder how they will cope under this great pressure. So much still to play for, similarly to us, both teams will be walking into what could be the biggest game of the tournament.
Previous Meetings
We have not had the pleasure of meeting Lyon many times, in fact, we only met for the first time in 2019. We have only played each other three times, with two of the three ending in draws and one ending in a 2-1 win for the French giants. In these three games, Chelsea have scored 4 goals and Lyon have scored 5. Our last result was a pre-season friendly we played in America last year, this ended in a 2-2 draw. We took the lead early on and then got a second just after halftime, only for the French greats to come back at the end of the game scoring both goals after the 75th minute.
Team News
Chelsea
Much of the same for the Chelsea squad, Pernille Harder is still out after having surgery for a hamstring injury. Fran Kirby picked up an injury just before the last international break and is unlikely to be match fit. Kateřina Svitková is also out injured after having surgery on her knee.
Erin Cuthbert has been missing from the squad for while with a tight hamstring, hopefully, this will be cleared up in time for this massive game. Jelena Čanković was also missing from the teamsheet in our game against Reading with a slight knock, hopefully, she will be back fit and ready to play.
Lyon
For all of their injury woes, Lyon are currently only without Amandine Henry. The midfielder unfortunately sprained her knee in their Coupe de France match against Reims, we wish her the best in her recovery.
Players to Watch
Chelsea
Kadeisha Buchanan and Guro Reiten are two Chelsea players to keep an eye on in this match.
Kadeisha Buchanan, the former Lyon player herself. It might be a bold choice but Keisha has been outstanding in our last three matches. Struggling slightly to settle in England when she first joined up with the girls we have been waiting for the best from the Canadian mastermind. She seems to be coming into her own recently and what better test than a match-up against her old team?
Guro Reiten, what a player. Being involved in all, three of our goals against Reading was almost inevitable with the way Guro was playing on Sunday. Assisting the first, winning the penalty that Maren smashed home for the second. And finally, getting herself in on the action with our last goal signed off a top-mark performance. I hope that Guro can bring some of her magic to the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday. This will be especially important if we will be without our wee Scot Erin.
Lyon
Delphine Cascarino and Lindsey Horan are two Lyonnaises to keep an eye on in this game.
Delphine Cascarino, the 26-year-old winger has been a rock for Lyon this season. With a goal and assist in the UWCL, boasting an impressive 16 chances created she is a very talented player. This carries over to the league as well as she currently has four goals to her name, a brilliant player it’ll be interesting to see how she plays against us on Wednesday.
Lindsey Horan, the American international has been on fire since signing on loan for Lyon in 2022, and this season she has carried on her fine form. With five goals and two assists in the UWCL and a further two goals and one assist to her name in the league. The World Cup Winner will be returning to her parent club Portland Thorns in June. However, I doubt she’d say no to a second UWCL trophy on her travels in France.
Match Details
Date/Time: Wednesday 22nd March, 17:45
Venue: Groupama Stadium, Décines-Charpieu
Referee: Tess Olofsson
How to Watch
UK: Dazn
Rest of the World: Dazn
Final Thoughts and Prediction
With two top teams in their respective leagues, this will be a battle of the greats. Lyon with their limitless European pedigree and Chelsea with league dominance and domestic success to boast. We can expect a brilliant match-up between two sides looking to leave it all on the pitch. I’d be more surprised if this game turned out to be boring you can expect two sides looking for glory. Chelsea to redeem ourselves since our last UWCL final appearance and Lyon to once again show their European greatness.
Final Score Prediction: Lyon 2 – 2 Chelsea
Written By A Bradley (@A_thensomething)