The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the final of Coupe de France and comments the departure of Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas. Plus, photos of Ellie Carpenter courtesy of Pauline Figuet who was pitch side (16/5/23).

Above: Olympique Lyonnais, Winner of their 10^th Coupe de France 2-1 against Paris St.Germain. Photo: Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.

Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Paris St. Germain

Lyon were dominant from the start and applied constant pressure. Ada Hegerberg confirmed that she is definitely ‘back’ by scoring twice (on 12 and 24 minutes), both from decisive passes by Danielle van de Donk, who was likewise outstanding.

**Above:** Ada Hegerberg celebrating one of her 2 goals with Selma Bacha and Danielle Van De Donk (17) who delivered the 2 decisive passes to Ada. **Photo:** Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.

Gérard Prêcheur, Paris SG coach, tried to change the momentum of the game on 32 minutes and replaced Amalie Vangsgaard with 19-year-old Laurina Fazer. This seemed to have an impact as PSG improved their game and Ramona Bachmann converted a 36^th minute penalty following Selma Bacha’s foul on Ashley Lawrence.

The second half was more even and both teams had opportunities to score but neither could put the ball in the net. On 86 minutes, Damaris Egurrola was sent off following a second yellow card in 10 minutes. After being the first women to win the D1 Championships and UWCL as a player and as a coach, Sonia Bompastor can now add being the first woman to win the Coupe de France as a player and as a coach.

**Above:** Jean-Michel Aulas and Ada Hegerberg at the end of the game. Photo: Icon sport.

Jean-Michel Aulas was at the game as Lyon’s ex-President (he was replaced by Michele Kang last week) and Lyon’s players dedicated their victory to him. Following the game, both the celebrating players and fans chanted “Jean-Michel Aulas, We won this Cup for you” bringing a lot of emotion to Aulas after 36 years at the head of Olympique Lyonnais.

**Above:** Michele Kang (center), new boss of Olympique Lyonnais Women Football. **Photo:** Le Progrès, Norbert Grisay.

Lyon’s players have also said that they want to win the D1 Arkema Championship for both him and the new president Michele Kang when they play PSG in Paris. Kang, an American businesswoman who now owns the Washington Spirit NWSL team, as well as Olympique Lyonnais, was present in Orléans for this final and received her first trophy as Women Olympique Lyonnais team President.