In the OL Park,
You almost had to pinch yourself in early 2022 to believe in .’s three unusual underperformances OL† Blow in Paris in the Coupe de France (3-0), draw (1-1) conceded in the derby in D1 and end of the quarter-final first leg of Champions League chaotic (2-1)… Unrecognizable, the seven-time European champion has done it all in two months, to the point that he found himself on the brink of collapse when he was welcomed Juve Thursday evening.
Tangible pressure, after a nightmarish 2020-2021 season without a single title, left the 20,017 spectators at Parc OL a glimpse of the worst during a “timid” start (according to Sonia Bompastor). Wendie Renard could have been given a penalty after a push on Lina Hurtig (5th) and Selma Bacha had to be heroic to avoid the blow against the same Swedish striker from Juve (0-0, 23rd).
Two goals in three minutes thanks to Hegerberg and Malard
“We all knew we needed a first goal to get in, to clear this game,” Ada Hegerberg confides afterwards. It took a lot of anger to win such an appointment. “The Norwegian striker didn’t miss the half hour as he flew over the Italian defense to free his group (1-0, 33rd).
The euphoric effect was felt right away, as Melvine Malard doubled the bet in big strides (2-0.35th), after which OL virtually qualified. Then, as if by magic, the “relief” of the first goal scored made it possible to find on many sequences the team of Sonia Bompastor that mastered their subject so well during the first part of the season.
“It’s important that we keep building our game”
A great Griedge Mbock in this side position that is not his, a very complementary midfielder (Egurrola, Horan and Macario, before Henry came in at the break) and a Delphine Cascarino who was up front: OL still enough to succeed in his new European conquest. “We know our qualities, but it is important that we keep building our game,” emphasizes Ada Hegerberg† I think we always have room for improvement. Obviously, with 13 shots from 5 and 59% possession on Thursday night, Lyon was up to the task.
To the point of an anthology goal via young American Catarina Macario (3-0, 73rd), spot-oriented queen of control. Even the narrowing of Andrea Staskova’s gap (3-1, 84th) didn’t panic the current D1 leader, as in the first leg. He will be here from April 23-24, who will find PSG in the semi-finals of the Champions League, as usual or almost. Indeed, it will be the 6th opposition between the two historic rivals in the last 8 seasons on the European stage, with a recent record so far favoring OL somewhat (3 wins against 2).
‘It’s nice to be a footballer and to play in front of such an audience’
“We’re starting to get to know each other nicely with PSG,” Ada Hegerberg smiles, proud of her sweet understatement. It’s important for French football and it’s impressive to have two teams in the semi-finals year after year. It remains to be seen who will challenge Barça or Wolfsburg in the final on Saturday, May 21 (7 p.m.) at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. What is certain is that the star striker with 57 goals in 57 European matches enjoyed the atmosphere of a big match at Parc OL.
“It’s clear that the supporters have brought us a big plus. It’s nice to be a footballer and to play in front of such an audience. “Especially if you haven’t had the chance to taste this adrenaline of the European Cup without injuries for two seasons, right, Ada?
