Arsenal v OL Lyonnes: Women’s Champions League semi-final, first leg – live | Women’s Champions League
Key occasions
4 minutes: Lyon placed on some strain however Arsenal break up area via Fox however the assault involves an finish when Smith is tackled.
2 minutes: Not a lot taking place within the opening phases.
Gordon emails: “For me, Lyon will take this semi final. They will not gift Arsenal three goals over the tie as they did in last year’s semi-finals. Also, Arsenal are fortunate to have McCabe playing today; she should, of course, have been sent off for a hairpull against Chelsea in the last round, and be suspended for this match. Bayern Munich player Kett was red-carded for a hairpull yesterday in the other semi, and she’s suspended from the second leg v Barcelona.”
kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
No Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly on the bench for Arsenal, leaving the bench wanting fairly mild.
Renee Slegers: “We had really good collaboration with England, she was ready for 45 mins against Iceland, she did really good and came back ready. I am really happy she is available today.
“It won’t ever be straightforward in a semi-final of the Champions League. I’ve large respect for Lyon. We wish to embrace this second and provides it every part now we have.”
Jonathan Giraldez: “We know we have to do a lot of good things.
“I really like the strain, it’s the vitality I would like to maneuver ahead. I’m very honored to have prospects like this.”
It is a huge boost for the Gunners to have Williamson back in the heart of defence. Could this be the inspiration they need to beat Lyon at home for the first time?
A beautiful day for a semi-final.
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Pre-match studying.
Starting lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Russo, Little, Caldentay; Smith, Blackstenius, Foord
Subs: Votikova, Borbe, Laia Codina, Maanum, Pelova, Hinds, Holmberg, Harwood
Lyon: Endler; Lawrence, Renard, Engen, Svava; Shrader, Heaps, Yohannes; Diani, Hegerberg, Brand
Subs: Belhadj, Bacha, Junttila Nelhage, Dumornay, Becho, Katoto, Egurrola, Fathallah, Sombath, Chawinga, Benyahia, Tarciane
Referee: Desiree Blanco (Sui)
Preamble
It is the holders versus the competition’s most successful side, making this a rather exciting prospect for all involved. With the prospect of chasing down Manchester City in the WSL, this looks like the Gunners’ most likely source of silverware this season. Lyon have already been victorious at Arsenal this season, defeating them at Borehamwood in the league phase but the Emirates should provide a different prospect for the French side for a team who are 14 points clear in Ligue Feminine and are yet to lose in any competition all season.
The Gunners have not lost in the league since October and eliminated Chelsea in the last round of the Champions League, so they will be unperturbed by the reputation of the visitors. It should make for a cracker!
Kick-off: 3.30pm BST
