Women’s OL dominates Bayern Munich and finds the semi-finals of the Champions League for the fourteenth time

The 150^e European meeting of Women’s OL almost not stayed in the annals for the quality of play of Lyonnaises. Led to the brand, they set a half-time to enter the match against Bayern Münich, Wednesday, March 26, before overthrowing the Bavarians as soon as the locker room returns (4-1), thanks to goals from Melchie Dumornay, Kadidiatou Diani, Tabitha Chawinga and Ada Hegerberg.

In diesel mode, the teammates of Captain Wendie Renard finally did honor to their status as a recordwomen of victories in the Champions League-eight between 2011 and 2022. At the end of April and early May, they will compete for their fourteenth semi-finals of the Champions League. The players of the Australian coach Joe Montemur will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid. The history of Madrid club – but recent female side – has an advantage of two goals before the return round on Wednesday evening.

Much more enterprising in the first period and dominating in the midfield, the Bavarians pushed OL into its entrenchments. Like the first leg where they had already been shaken up (but won 2-0), the Lyonnaises were timid and clumsy, this time during the first-five minutes.

After several dangerous situations in front of the goal of goalkeeper Christiane Endler, Bayern logically opened the brand thanks to a cross shot from his young German attacker, Klara Bühl (1-0, 33^e). Best European defense, OL had so far conceded only one goal in seven meetings of the Champions League, during a broad success against Roma. Despite this second goal, Lyon retains its invincibility in the competition, and remains the only team to be able to boast it since the start of this continental campaign.

Like every year, the “real” season of Olympique Lyonnais begins when the quality of its opponents increases. This was the case against the Münichoises, even if the latter have never yet beaten the Lyonnaises. But when the club of the American owner, Michele Kang, increases her level, few opponents have the capacity to resist.

Without rival at the national level

In a quarter of an hour, Lyon’s attack trio made the difference. First by the Haitian Melchie Dumornay – 19^e Purpose of the season -, who victoriously took over a center of Kadidiatou Diani (46^e1-1). Then, the tricolor passer turned into a roner following a German error (54^e2-1). Before Malawite Tabitha Chawinga concluded at close range of another Diani offering (60^e3-1), deceiving Maria Luisa Grohs for the third time.

In the French championship, national competition is still not up to the task. In the first league, OL already has ten points ahead of PSG and conceded only one draw in eighteen days. Established since the 2023-2024 season, the Playoffs-semi-final and final in a single match-will still offer, at the end of the season, a chance to three teams to succeed in the crime of lese majesty against the undertaken champions of France.

Last weekend, Joe Montemurro had even left several holders at rest during the derby won (5-0) against the Stéphanoises. Against Bayern, the Australian also turned his workforce at the time of play, once the result is almost acquired. Dzsenifer Marozsan, Tabitha Chawinga, Kadiditatou Diani, Lindsey Heaps and Ellie Carpenter have been replaced by Ada Hegerberg, Amel Majri, Eugénie Le Sommer, Sara Däbritz and Sofia Huerta. In the stoppages, the Norwegian Hegerberg took the opportunity to register her 66^e goal in the Champions League.

Before this quarter -final return, midfielder Damaris Egurrola evoked the requirement that her team is inflicting: “When you’re OL, winning is not enough. We need to play well and mark a lot but (2-0) on the field of Bayern, it’s still very good ”she insisted in the regional daily Progress. The large 4-1 victory confirms its certainties a little more.

If Lyon wants to find the summit of Europe, more reached since 2022, it will have to be able to further raise its level and find more regularity. Because the last continental square promises to be full-bodied, starting with the semi-finals, which will constitute a real test. Especially since the Lyonnaises could challenge Madrilenians from Real, recent winners for the first time in their history in Barça, double reigning European champion. Catalanes who dominated the French in the final last year. Hoping to reconquer the Champions League, OL knows that serious affairs are starting.