Her Football Hub
·17 December 2024
Her Football Hub
·17 December 2024
The Women’s Champions League resumed as match-day six saw the top two teams from Group A face off at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium. With both Lyon and VfL Wolfsburg already through to the knockout stages of the competition, the match was fairly low-key.
A lone goal from Danielle van de Donk late in the second half was enough to snatch all three points for Lyon. The eight-time European champions top their group with maximum points from six wins.
Endler; Carpenter, Gilles, Renard, Bacha, Horan, Egurrola, Marozsan, Diani, Hegerberg, Chawinga
Borbe, Rabano, Hegering, Hendrich, Wedemeyer, Hagel, Kielland, Huth, S. Jonsdottir, Endermann, Popp
The home fans of Lyon were in good voice to host Wolfsburg but it was a quiet start on the pitch. The home side edged possession with 55 percent and neither challenged the opposition goalkeeper with a clear chance on goal. Lyon’s Lindsey Horan looked bright in midfield, covering a lot of ground and linking defence to attack. However, with minimal end product, it was 0-0 at the break.
The 60th minute saw both sides make changes, Lyon brought on Eugenie Le Sommer for the quiet Ada Hegerberg, and Sara Dabritz for Dzsenifer Marozsan. Wolfsburg turned to Jule Brand, who replaced Chantal Hagel in midfield.
In the 81st minute, it was a further substitute who inspired Lyon to take the lead as Van de Donk replaced Horan. The Dutch international won the ball back in the centre circle, and continued her run to finish off from close range, albeit with the help of an additional deflection. The goal breathed life into Lyon and suddenly the French side look like scoring more and never looked like conceding. The final score was 1-0.
Lyon face Dijon when they return to league action after the festive break. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg have an extended break until they face Carl Zeiss Jena in February.