Around OL: Both Teams Pick Up Three Points

OL Féminin Continue to Dominate

Six games into the 2021/2022 season, Lyon is still undefeated, earning all 18 available points and tallying an impressive goal differential of 27. The team has scored 28 goals and only allowed one in league play. In addition, the team has played two UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage matches this month and won both of them.

OL Féminin most recently beat Montpellier 5-0 on Sunday, October 17 at Groupama OL Training Center, in their sixth D1 Arkema match. The game was scoreless for the first half hour, though OL had the vast majority of possession. In the 33rd minute, Selma Bacha recovered the ball for OL, then dribbled her way through the Montpellier defense, before hitting a superb strike from the top of the 18-yard box to open the scoring.

Just before half time, Lyon doubled their lead, thanks to the efforts of Damaris in the second minute of stoppage time. Bacha served a lofted corner kick into the box and Damaris got her head on the end of it to direct the ball towards goal, though the last touch was off Montpellier midfielder Marion Torrent.

After halftime, OL did not wait long to get back to scoring goals. In the 47th minute, American Catarina Macario displayed her skill before taking a shot from inside the box, but the shot was saved by the post. Pearl Morroni was there to follow it up and net Lyon’s third goal of the match.

In the 59th minute, OL found their fourth goal of the match. Ellie Carpenter played a cross into the box and Montpellier goalkeeper Lisa Schmitz got a touch on it but was unable to clear the danger. Another Montpellier player mistakenly headed the ball back across the face of goal and Melvine Malard was there to capitalize on the mistake.

The final goal of the match came in the 88th minute. Ada Hegerberg played the ball to Sally Julini just outside the 18-yard box. Julini made no mistake as she hit a beautiful shot into the top left corner of the net.

With that win, Lyon still sit in first place in the D1 Arkema standings, with 18 points from six games and a goal differential of 27. Behind them, in second place, is Paris Saint-Germain. Their rivals also have six wins and 18 points, but a goal differential of 20. Lyon’s next match is set to take place on Sunday, October 31 at 4:45 a.m. PT against Soyaux-Charente.

OL Féminin Stars Christiane Endler and Wendie Renard Nominated for Ballon d’Or

OL has two players nominated for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or. The prestigious award was canceled last year for the first time in its history due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. With the return of the award, the winner for France Football's highest honor will be announced in November and take into account the previous 12 months soccer into consideration. There have only been two previous winners, Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe, in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Olympique Lyonnais Men’s Team Downs Monaco

OL took on Monaco in their tenth match of the Ligue 1 season. Lyon came away with a solid 2-0 and are now in sixth place in the Ligue 1 standings, with four wins, two losses and four draws on the season. With 16 points, they are tied with fourth place Nice and fifth place Angers.

The first half of the game was very evenly matched and remained scoreless, though OL did have the better chances on the goal. The closest chance of the half came in the 34th minute, when Houssem Aouar won the ball after applying high pressure to Monaco. Aouar got a shot off but was unable to direct it on target.

After the halftime break, the two teams came out ready to fight for the three points. The deadlock was not broken until the 75th minute, when Lyon took the lead. Léo Dubois was fouled in the box by Disasi, resulting in a penalty kick for OL. Karl Toko Ekambi stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty kick to open the scoring of the match.

Lyon did not find their second goal of the match until the 90th minute. Lucas Paqueta, who came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, played a ball to Emerson after a poorly cleared corner kick. Emerson crossed the ball to Jason Denayer, who found the back of the net and doubled the lead.

For their next match, OL travel to Prague to take on Sparta Prague on Thursday, October 21 in the Europa League group stage. OL then returns to Ligue 1 action on Sunday, October 24 against fourth place Nice.