TOPS
While a victory would have validated first place in Group B, the draw conceded by the Lyonnaises at Brann (2-2) this Thursday still ensures them qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Satisfaction before the last two days even if the three points extended their arms to Kadidiatou Diani and her teammates. Beaten at the gates of the last four last year by Chelsea (2-2, 0-1), the Fenottes will return to the final phase in 2024. OL must now win their group, in the last two matches scheduled against St Polten and Slavia Prague, to avoid a tough draw.
Decisive on a penalty for her 11th goal in 12 official matches this season with Lyon, the Norwegian striker did not give any gifts to her compatriots in Brann as Christmas approached. Very valuable in pivot and legs to overflow, the 2018 Ballon d’Or was at the origin of numerous Lyon situations. After Horan’s expulsion, she allowed her team to breathe by intelligently retaining the ball. Physically fit, Hegerberg has now scored in seven of the last eight matches for the Rhone. Essential.
FLOPS
Certainly, the American could have done without this gesture of humor at the start of the second half, a stroller on her opponent who had just tackled her. But the Belarusian referee of the match, Ms. Blotskaya, very quickly took the red card out of her pocket, causing the Lyonnaises to be confused. A simple yellow card seemed more appropriate in a match played overall in a very good spirit. Finally, this expulsion of Horan, who is the first culprit, made the task difficult for OL, who reached the score at the last second in the snow of Bergen.
Every (beautiful) series has an end and this one will have lasted a long time in Lyon. Victorious in their first 16 matches in all competitions (Champions Trophy, D1 Arkéma and Champions League), Sonia Bompastor’s players left success at the doors of their locker room for the first time this Thursday evening. Don’t panic, OL remains largely on track with its great ambitions but momentum stopped just before the end of the calendar year always leaves a bitter taste. Especially when you lead 2-0 after a quarter of an hour of play…
