OL Féminin, champion of France: and now, the Champions League!

“We still have one more match, we have to recover well and plan for the next weekend.” The captain of Olympique Lyonnais Wendie Renard was not euphoric after the title of French champion, the 17th, won by her team against Paris Saint-Germain during the final of the women’s D1 playoffs Friday evening in Décines (2-1). And there was no reason not to believe the Martinican when she assured that no party was going to follow: “Honestly, we are going to enjoy it between us but we are not going to celebrate it because we still have a final next week and I don’t want anything to stay in my calves or ischios (smiles). We will savor with restraint. »

The Champions League final, next Saturday in Bilbao against the title-chasing Barcelona, ​​is already on everyone’s minds. The Lyonnaises want to lift the most beautiful Cup for a ninth time. So until then, no dispersion.

“We are OL, we want to win everything there is to win”

No doubt the force of habit for Wendie Renard (33), who has won every OL title since 2007? There is undoubtedly that, but you just have to bend your ear and listen to Melchie Dumornay (20 years old), French champion for the first time, to understand that this group is absolutely not satisfied: “It’s my first title, it has a special flavor I am very happy, we will continue like this for the next final which awaits us. We are OL, we want to win everything there is to win. »

Wendie Renard had given the recipe for this incredible thirst for victories a few minutes before: “We never get tired of titles! It’s not bullshit: the counters are reset to zero before each season, before each match. When you win a first title, you always want to win another and so on. This thirst comes from there: when you want to win, you have to give yourself the means. »

Delphine Cascarino, first scorer of the evening, also already had her eyes turned towards the final of the Champions League which will be played behind closed doors in front of more than 53,000 spectators: “We don’t have to celebrate everything right away because there is has another very important match to play in Bilbao. We keep our heads cool and prepare for the final. But it is certain that having won the championship just before gives confidence. »

Bompastor’s nice little tackle against PSG…

And this even if Sonia Bompastor has criticized the format of the playoffs, which she considers terribly unfair, while also regretting in passing that the Parisiennes have “lacked class” by not attending the entire protocol ceremony: “My team has class, that’s what makes the difference. »

The coach then encouraged her players to regenerate during the weekend: “It’s important to enjoy this title this Saturday and Sunday. The staff had already anticipated, we know exactly what we have to do from Monday to prepare for this final. » Because the bar will be higher against FC Barcelona, ​​reigning European champion. Delphine Cascarino isn’t making a big deal out of it: “Yes, it’s a very great team, we know that and we’re going to work all this week to face them. » The attacker didn’t say “beat them” but everyone interpreted it that way.