By finishing in the top quartet at the end of the league phase, the OL Lyonnes players ensured their direct qualification for the quarter-finals of the new Champions League formula.
In the wake of Kadidiatou Diani, involved in the first three goals of the evening, Wednesday December 17, the Lyonnaises easily dominated Atlético de Madrid (4-0) at Groupama Stadium, during the 6e and last day.
The French champions thus signed a fifth victory (for a draw) against a weak opponent who was also reduced to ten at the end of the first period, following the exclusion of the Brazilian Luany for a slight pulling of Selma Bacha’s hair, while the two players were fighting near the Lyon area.
Atlético could have opened the entry mark with a shot hitting Lauren Leal’s post after a free kick (4e), but it was Lyon who took the advantage with a goal scored against their camp by the Norwegian Vilde Böe Risa who diverted into her cage a cross delivered by Kadidiatou Diani (31ste).
The latter was again involved in the penalty obtained by OL for a handball by Andrea Medina and transformed by Wendie Renard (52e). In the wake of this goal, Diani herself brought the score to 3-0 by volleying a cross delivered by Tarciane (53e). At the end of the match, the American Korbin Shrader, who entered the game, scored a fourth goal with a 25-meter shot (71e).
Defensive solidity
“We delivered a very good first phase of competition”welcomed OL Lyonnes coach, Jonatan Giraldez. “It takes a little time to progress but since the last break, we have been playing very well, with a lot of different players from one match to the next”continued the Spanish technician, praising the defensive solidity of his team which has not conceded a goal in five matches and the draw against Juventus Turin (3-3) on November 19.
The Lyonnaises finish in second place in the standings, behind FC Barcelona which has a better goal difference (+17 against +13) – both teams will host the return match for their quarter-final and their hypothetical semi-final.
The Spanish club dominated, for its part, Paris FC (2-0) who had already qualified for the play-offs of the competition. At the Jean-Bouin stadium, the Parisiennes were unable to do anything against the winning club of the 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions and unfortunate finalist in 2022 and 2025. The Catalans opened the scoring with Vicky Lopez (22e), before doubling the lead in the second period thanks to Caroline Graham Hansen (49e).
Sandrine Soubeyrand’s players, tenth with 8 points, will play their play-off in mid-February in a round-trip match. The draw for the play-offs will be made on Thursday.
Finally, Paris Saint-Germain, already eliminated before the final match of the league phase and which fielded an additional team, collected a draw at Benfica (1-1).
