Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarises the eighth round of the 2023-2024 D1 Arkema season. Plus, his MATILDAS WATCH and photos from pitch side at Olympique Lyonnais game (21/11/23).
Above: Alice Pinguet, Dijon’s goalkeeper, in one of her numerous saves. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 Dijon
Lyon’s Melchie Dumornay, a World Cup star with Haiti earlier this year, received her trophy for being October’s Player of the Month. It is often said that it is not easy to play a domestic club match between two UWCL games and so it has proved again. Lyon coach, Sonia Bompastor, rested several key players at rest and the team played a full hour without a recognised centre forward. Dijon took advantage by who opening the scoring with a lob by Diaz from 35 meters in the 25th minute.
Lyon equalised before the break as Alice Sombath scored from distance, helped by a mistake by Dijon’s goalkeeper, Alice Pinguet, who otherwise had a good game. With a few changes, and the entrance of Ada Hegerberg on the hour, the hosts took control of the game, and Dumornay quickly scored on a cross from Hegerberg to give the lead to her team.
Sara Däbritz added a sealing third goal just before stoppage time.
Scorers for Lyon: Sombath (34’), Dumornay (70’), Hegerberg (73’), Däbritz (89’). Scorer for Dijon: Diaz (25’).
MATILDAS WATCH – Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais) To keep her ready for the UWCL game which will take place on Wednesday, Carpenter did not play in this game.
Le Havre 2-0 Guingamp
This was an important first win for Le Havre this season against a fellow struggler on the ladder.
Scorers for Le Havre: Benyahia (29’ penalty), Davis (44’).
Lille 1-2 Saint-Etienne
Another game between two teams who are fighting near the bottom of the standings. With this win, Saint-Etienne close in on Lille. Scorer for Lille: Roux (2’). Scorers for Saint-Etienne: Browne (57’ penalty), Elmore (72’).
Montpellier 2-1 Reims
Montpellier dominated this game and deserved their win even though the scoreline was close. Scorers for Montpellier: Louis (51’), Ouchène (54’). Scorer for Reims: Imuran (69’).
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Fleury
PSG won at home but made it difficult for themselves. The win was secured only by scoring in the very last minute. With this win, PSG regain the third place in the standing.
Scorers for Paris SG: Katoto (13’), Groenen (90’+7). Scorer for Fleury: Kamczyk (40’).
MATILDAS WATCH – Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain) Hunt started in defence for the second time this month in D1 Arkema.
Paris FC 1-0 Bordeaux
Bordeaux played with five players under twenty years of age in this game: Marie-Sergine Ateluce (17), Maïté Mendiburu (15), Hillary Diaz (19), Fiona Maëva Liaigre (18), and Maëlle Seguin (19).
There was a huge opportunity for Paris FC on 30 minutes when the ball hit the post and was saved twice on the line by Bordeaux. This was followed by another great save by Liaigre on her goal line ten minutes later, keeping out a shot from Daphne Corboz. At last, on forty-one minutes, Paris FC confirmed their domination, (they had more than 70% of ball possession) by scoring through Clara Matéo from a pass from Louise Fleury. We had to wait until the 81st minute to see Bordeaux’s first of only three shots of the match. Scorer for Paris FC: Matéo (41’).
MATILDAS WATCH – Sarah Hunter (Paris FC) Hunter was in the matchday squad and entered the game at halftime in midfield.
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