At the end of the second day, the reigning French champions beat their great rivals on Sunday in this summit of the championship (1-0).
Already a turning point in the season. Three weeks after its victory in the Trophée des champions, Olympique Lyonnais once again won the D1 Arkema Classic against Paris Saint-Germain (1-0), Sunday October 1. A success which bears the mark of the inevitable Eugénie Le Sommer, sole scorer in a lively game.
While the issue generally paralyzes the debates in these posters at the summit of French women’s football, these have been much more open. A logical consequence of the establishment of playoffs at the end of the season between teams in the top 4. Enough to delight the more than 16,000 spectators at a Parc des Princes guided in the stands by an Auteuil corner at the rendezvous.
Bacha active, Le Sommer decisive
In a start to the advantage of the Parisiennes, Selma Bacha allowed the Fenottes to emerge, breaking lines with her long runs from the wing to the axis. Scorer in a similar sequence against Portugal with the Blues, the side lit the first fuse from afar, forcing Constance Picaud to push her attempt back onto the post (17th).
It was also from a free kick that she kicked that Damaris Egurrola was able to open the scoring to Eugénie Le Sommer with a subtle header (20th, 1-0). Winners of 27 of the 28 previous Classics where they scored first, the Lyonnaises then managed to keep the score, failing to double the lead thanks to a new helmet hit from the Dutchwoman (58th).
A defeat but promises in Paris
For many followers, this shock comes too soon, while the recent international break showed that the players still lacked rhythm at the start of the post-World Cup exercise. With a change of coach and numerous recruits to integrate into its game plan, PSG should also be of this opinion, but it was not really seen.
Certainly, the French vice-champions lost for the first of Jocelyn Prêcheur, promoted to head coach on Thursday after the departure of his father, Gérard. However, the debut of Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga – who arrived on loan from Wuhan – was promising. If Grace Geyoro created the clearest opportunities (23rd, 32nd), the top scorer in Serie A with Inter last year brought danger to the opposing goal with her speed, well imitated by Sandy Baltimore on the other side.
This bodes well as they could ultimately be associated this season with Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who played a quarter of an hour this Sunday as she gradually returns from a serious knee injury. After two days, OL thus take a break ahead of their rivals in the championship and with it, a significant psychological advantage for the future. But the dynamic still has time to change sides between now and May, where the title will be decided for real.