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Renard’s penalty gives holders advantage, Paris SG – Lyon, 0-1

Paris SG – Lyon, 0-1. The French derby was decided with penalty in the second half, converted by Wendie Renard, gave Lyon one goal advantage before the return leg. Paris’s 1-0 victory against Lyon back in November was OL’s first defeat in 80 league games. Parisians have one point lead in Division 1 Feminine

1st half

In Paris, a very bright start from the home team almost gave them a lead after but Kadidiatou Diani missed the target. In the 11th minute Lyon got their first chance. Nikita Parris a shot at goal but Christiane Endler had a comfortable save. Paris’s pressing gave some troubles to Lyon’s midfield and defence. Something that doesn’t usually happen for the holders. Ramona Bachmann forced a save from Lyon’s Sarah Bouhaddi after a strike from a Swiss international. Marie Katoto was very active. Her header from a great position lacked some precision, but the capital side were actively looking for a goal and Lyon could be happy that they managed through the first half unscathed.

2nd half

Lyon stepped up a bit in their game in the second half. There wasn’t a lot of action and both teams were trying not to be reckless and keep their net untouched. But time started slipping away for the hosts, with Lyon posing a more and more potent threat at the other end. After a much more even half, it looked like the match would end in a goalless draw. But in 85′ minute, the ball hit Formiga in the hand and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Wendie Renard took the responsibility for Lyon and converted the penalty for a very important goal that gave the holders a one goal advantage before the return leg.

Seven-time winners managed to survive first-half pressure from Parisians and improved their game in the second half. But despite that, everything remains open, but Paris will need to be more efficient up front in the return leg next Wednesday if they want to knock out Lyon like they did in 2014/15.

Reactions

“We knew it would be tough and we’d have to be strong. For me, we weren’t good in the fist half. And when you’re not good, you have to know how to not concede and we managed that. All our games against Paris are combats. There are duels everywhere. Since I’ve been coach, all our meetings with Paris have been tight. There’s a second game and we’ll stay focused on the competition and on the match.” – Jean-Luc Vasseur, Lyon’s head coach

“We had a very good first half but were less present in the second half. We put in a lot of effort, but there’s still a second match. It will be up to us to do the work required.” – Grace Geyoro, PSG’s midfielder

Paris SG – Olympique Lyon 0-1 (0-0) 

Scorers: 86′ Wendie Renard (L) pen
Yellow cards: 7′ Amel Majri (L), 47′ Irene Paredes (P), 90+2′ Signe Bruun (P), 90+4′ Sakina Karchaoui (L)

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