Around OL – Preparing for the Olympico
Here’s all the latest news from around the OL family.
OL Prepares for Olympico Clash with Marseille
In its first major rivalry match of the season, Olympique Lyonnais’ men’s side is preparing to face rivals Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, October 4 at 12:00 p.m. PT. The Choc des Olympiques (Clash of the Olympics)—or Olympico, as it has come to be called in recent years—is one of France’s great historical rivalries, primarily based on a history of excellent play between the two sides. OL and OM are two of the only clubs in history (Paris Saint-Germain and archrivals Saint-Etienne being the others) who have won the French top-flight for four consecutive years.
Marseille finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 last season after the season was abandoned early due to COVID-19. Marseille defeated OL 2-1 during league play last November, but Lyon was able to knock their rivals out of the Coupe de France three months later thanks to a late goal from Houssem Aouar. The home league match for Olympique Lyonnais against OM was among those cancelled when the league concluded early.
Read more about figures who have left their mark on the Olympico
Les Fenottes’ Champions League Dominance Extends to Awards Nominations
OL Féminin’s dominance of the UEFA Women’s Champions League continued with the announcement of the nominees for the 2019-20 tournament’s positional awards on Thursday, September 17. Of the 12 players nominated, six play for Lyon, which claimed its record fifth consecutive title with a triumph over Wolfsburg on August 30.
The winners will be announced at the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday, October 1.
Nominees:
Best Goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon), Christiane Endler (Paris Saint-Germain), Sandra Paños (Barcelona)
Best Defender: Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Lena Goessling (Wolfsburg)
Best Midfielder: Sara Björk Gunnarsdöttir (Lyon/Wolfsburg), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Lyon), Alex Popp (Wolfsburg)
Best Forward: Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)
OL Féminin Triumph over Bordeaux
Olympique Lyonnais Féminin (3-0-0, 9 points, 1st) defeated visitors Bordeaux (0-1-2, 2 points, 9th) 2-1 on Sunday, September 27 at the Groupama OL Training Center.
Australian fullback Ellie Carpenter scored her first club goal to open the scoring in the 42nd minute, before Eugénie Le Sommer doubled the advantage in the 57th minute.
Bordeaux’s Ouleymata Sarr pulled a goal back with 18 minutes left to play, ending Lyon’s streak of 14 league matches without conceding. OL quickly recapture control of the rhythm of the match however, generating several dangerous chances before the final whistle.
OL Men Respond for Draw at Lorient
Olympique Lyonnais (1-1-3, 6 points, 11th) travelled to face recently promoted FC Lorient (1-3-1, 4 points, 16th) on Sunday, securing a 1-1 draw away from home.
Lorient—who won promotion to the top-flight after finishing as Ligue 2 champions last season—struck first in the 63rd minute when Yoane Wissa struck a shot the clipped the crossbar and bounced into the net.
Lyon equalized 11 minutes later, when Leo Dubois sliced in from the right alley and struck a low hard shot to the left side net to help the club take a point on the road.
Upcoming Matches Around OL
Fleury 91 vs. Olympique Lyonnais Féminin – Terrain Walter Felder, Fleury Merogis, France – Friday, October 2, 9:30 a.m. PT
Olympique Lyonnais vs. Olympique de Marseille – Groupama Stadium, Décines-Charpieu, France – Sunday, October 4, 12:00 p.m. PT