OL Lyonnes: A Legacy in Women’s Football
In the realm of women’s football, OL Lyonnes, previously known as Olympique Lyonnais, holds a distinguished record as the most accomplished club in the sport’s history. Their impressive trophy cabinet boasts a staggering eight UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, along with 18 titles in the French Première Ligue and 10 Coupe de France Féminine crowns.
Changes Under New Ownership
Since becoming the majority owner of OL Lyonnes in 2023, American entrepreneur Michele Kang — who also has stakes in the NWSL’s Washington Spirit and the Women’s Super League’s London City Lionesses — has instigated significant changes at the club. This summer marked a rebranding effort, with a new name and badge introduced as part of a strategy to reclaim their dominance in women’s football after they last won the UWCL trophy in 2022.
Roster Overhaul and Coaching Changes
The team has also seen considerable roster changes, parting ways with veteran players such as Eugénie Le Sommer, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Ellie Carpenter, and Amel Majri. They have been replaced by an influx of youthful talent including Jule Brand, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Korbin Shrader, Lily Yohannes, Ingrid Engen, and Ashley Lawrence. Additionally, former FC Barcelona manager Jonathan Giraldez has taken the helm, bringing with him a winning mentality after grabbing 10 titles in just three seasons with the Spanish side.
Tactical Approach and Formation
However, the real test lies in how Giraldez will mold the star-studded squad into a cohesive unit capable of succeeding in the UWCL. Having made a name for himself with a possession-heavy style, Giraldez’s teams are known for their territorial dominance and creating high-quality chances through swift ball movement. Despite only competing in two league matches so far this season after a series of summer friendlies, OL Lyonnes has embraced a 4-1-4-1 formation, heavily featuring 18-year-old USWNT player Lil Yohannes in a deep midfield role.
Their tactics involve building attacks in a 2-3-5 formation, allowing midfielders to find space between opponents’ defensive lines, leading to an increased focus on attacking from the back. For instance, against Saint-Etienne, midfielder Lindsey Heaps was particularly active, ranking highest in penalty area touches.
Attacking Prowess and Challenges
Fronted by Ada Hegerberg, the all-time top scorer in UWCL history, OL Lyonnes demonstrated their attacking prowess in their opening league match against Marseille, where all 14 of their shots came from within the penalty area. The team maintained impressive possession statistics, recording 68% and 79% possession in their two league outings, and averaging over 700 passes with an accuracy of 84%.
Despite the depth of talent, OL Lyonnes does face challenges, particularly in midfield. The absence of a player who can dictate the pace and direction of play leaves them vulnerable, with Yohannes and Damaris Egurrola not currently fulfilling that controlling role effectively. This has led to over-reliance on their full-backs for ball progression, as Selma Bacha and Lawrence rank high in progressive passes, highlighting the midfield’s struggle to contribute.
Defensive Concerns and Future Fixtures
Giraldez’s system also presents a defensive conundrum. His reliance on aggressive counter-pressing places immense pressure on central midfielders, with OL Lyonnes frequently exposed by opposition attacks due to gaps between their lines. Although they press effectively, their shape often allows opponents to exploit spaces between attack and midfield, as seen in their games against teams like Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Nevertheless, the squad boasts incredible attacking talent, with players like Katoto, Brand, Vicki Bècho, and Kadidiatou Diani. This wealth of options offers the potential for explosive hybrid attacking formations, but Giraldez faces the challenge of fitting them all into an effective system.
As OL Lyonnes prepare for intense fixtures, including a critical league match against rivals Paris Saint-Germain and their opening UWCL game against last season’s champions Arsenal — a team that eliminated them in the semifinals — the unfolding of tactical strategies and lineup effectiveness will reveal the club’s ability to reclaim its former glories in women’s football.
