The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the second round of D1 Arkema, French women’s football’s topflight and adds a focus on Lyon.

Above: Melvine Malard (28) crosses into the box. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset, exclusively for Impetus.

Paris Saint Germain won 1-0 away from home against Montpellier. PSG’s sole strike came from Sara Dabritz after eight minutes from the penalty spot. It was difficult for the visitors on a pitch which didn’t helping the players to produce good quality football. PSG dominated the game with 70% of possession and they had more opportunities (15 shots, 4 on target) than Montpellier (4 shots, 2 on target). Montpellier tried hard to impose their game on the Parisians but were only just able to prevent PSG adding to their tally with their 5-4-1 formation.

Fleury lost at home against Paris FC 1-0. The goal for Paris FC came Coumba Sow after 43 minutes. An even game could have ended 1-0 for Fleury or a draw; there were only four shots on target for each team.

Dijon won away home against Issy 2-0. Goals for Dijon came from Léa Declercq (20) and Desire Oparanozie (49). This is Issy’s second straight defeat.

Bordeaux at home won 6-0 against Soyaux. Bordeaux’s strikes came courtesy of Sisca Folkertsma (2), Malia Nicole Berkely (29), Andréa Lardez (36), Mélissa Gomes (43), Mickaella Cardia (79), and Katja Snoeijs (81). After a draw at Saint-Etienne last week, Bordeaux reacted strongly and never gave Soyaux a chance to win this game.

Reims, at home, was not able to do better than a draw 0-0 against Guingamp. Grace Rapp of Reims had a red card at the sixtieth minute, leaving her teammates at 10 players for 30 minutes did not help them. However, they were able to keep their goal clean.

Olympique Lyonnais their derby at home against newly promoted Saint-Etienne 6-0. Goals for Lyon came from Catarina Macario (18), Amel Majri (28), Melvine Malard (42), Emelyne Laurent (53), Damaris Egurrola (56), and Selma Bacha (84). Lyon were dominant throughout with 68% of possession, 24 shots (17 on target), 10 corner kicks compared to Saint-Etienne’s two shots (one on target), and a single corner kick.

After their difficult win at Levante, Lyon made a better job against, it must be said, a much weaker team, especially in defence. We saw several good build ups by Lyon, like with the goal on the 28^th minute when Malard on an attack down the left, crosses back to Majri which shots on the right on the goalkeeper.