Even as winter lingers, the Arkema Premier League has already seen much of it’s suspense fade. The Lyonnaises, a dominant force with 17 french championship titles to their name, have onc again proven their supremacy this season. Despite a surprising setback in the Coupe de France round of 16 against Reims (0-0, 9-10 on penalties), Joe Montemurro’s squad quickly regained their footing. They secured a decisive 2-0 victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes, a match that drew a record-breaking crowd for a league game, despite the stadium being only half-full.This win followed their earlier 1-0 triumph in Décines, further solidifying their dominance.
PSG had turned the match into a festive event, complete with a DJ, food trucks, and influencers, but the Lyonnaises quickly dampened the mood. In the 7th minute, Haitian star Melchie Dumornay capitalized on a defensive lapse by Sakina Karchaoui and a disorganized backline to score her 11th goal of the season. Lyon controlled the frist half with ease, while PSG struggled to find their rhythm. Apart from a wayward shot by Korbin Albert in the 12th minute, the Parisians offered little in attack or midfield.
Lyon extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Kadidiatou Diani benefited from a fortuitous assist by Dumornay, following a precise long ball from Lindsey Horan. Diani nearly added a third goal after a swift run by Tabitha Chawinga, but her shot narrowly missed, hitting the side netting in the 43rd minute. Despite these chances, Lyon’s dominance was clear, leaving PSG struggling to mount any meaningful response.
PSG Slips to Third Behind Paris FC
After halftime, Lyon eased off slightly, allowing PSG to regain some composure. Though, Fabrice Abriel’s side failed to capitalize on this opportunity. Romee Leuchter’s lack of precision (60th,66th,74th) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s inability to break free from Wendie Renard’s tight marking highlighted PSG’s struggles. Katoto, perhaps playing one of her final matches for PSG against Lyon, found herself stifled by the veteran defender.
Despite the victory, which extended Lyon’s lead at the top of the league to eight points, Montemurro remained modest. “They did the job, but it wasn’t our best performance,” he admitted. “This team is capable of playing exceptional football. We reacted well, but there’s room for advancement.” Abriel echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that his team’s performance was far from their best.
This defeat marks another blow for PSG, following their early exit from the Champions League.“The final assessment will come at the end of the season,” Abriel stated. “At top clubs, resilience is key. we must bounce back, not shy away from challenges. Despite these tough moments,we remain confident.” As of Sunday morning, PSG sits third in the league, trailing Paris FC, who delivered a commanding 6-0 victory over Guingamp on Saturday.
The Arkema Premier League has once again showcased the dominance of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, commonly referred to as the Lyonnaises, in women’s football. with 17 French championship titles to their name, Lyon has proven their supremacy this season, despite a surprising setback in the Coupe de France round of 16 against Reims. However, they quickly regained their footing with a decisive 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes, a match that drew a record-breaking crowd for a league game, even with the stadium only half-full. This victory followed their earlier 1-0 triumph in Décines, further solidifying their dominance in the league [1].
The match against PSG was not just a sporting event but a spectacle, with PSG turning it into a festive occasion complete with a DJ, food trucks, and influencers.However, the Lyonnaises quickly dampened the mood with their clinical performance. in the 7th minute, Haitian star Melchie dumornay capitalized on a defensive lapse by Sakina Karchaoui and a disorganized backline to score her 11th goal of the season. lyon controlled the first half with ease, while PSG struggled to find their rhythm, offering little in attack or midfield apart from a wayward shot by Korbin Albert in the 12th minute [2].
Lyon extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Kadidiatou Diani benefited from a fortuitous assist by Dumornay. This goal further highlighted Lyon’s tactical superiority and individual brilliance, as they continued to dominate the game. The match was a testament to Lyon’s ability to perform under pressure and maintain their composure, even in high-stakes situations [3].
the Lyonnaises have once again demonstrated why they are considered one of the best teams in women’s football. Their ability to bounce back from setbacks,coupled with their tactical acumen and individual talent,makes them a formidable force in the Arkema Premier league. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if any team can challenge their dominance or if Lyon will continue to reign supreme.
