Arsenal head coach Renee Sleesers was not surprised to see a close-fought match against Lyon, because they were beaten 2-1 on Saturday in the first stage of their Champions League-Halve Final.
Halfway through the first half, Lyon took place thanks to a Kadidiatou Diani goal, before Maria Caldentey was right about the penalty spot with 12 minutes to go.
But only four minutes later Melchie Dumornay yielded the winner to ensure that Lyon brings a slim lead to France.
“I think the game took place as we expected,” Sleges told the official club website.
“Two top teams. I think we have different types of threats in our teams, and I think most moments in the game, we really defend well against their threat and their three attackers.
“It is really difficult to defend against it because they have so much quality and so much speed, but then the two moments where they come out, they score out. Those are the fast attacks, the counterattacks they like to create in the game, and we admit that.
“I think we had a really good period in the second half where we play the way we want to play. We dominate, we quickly win the ball back, we create opportunities.
“Unfortunately it was hard work for us to get the ball in the net, but of course also a very strong opponent, but then we finally get the ball in the net through a penalty. We worked very hard for that, so it is disappointing that we then admitted the goal.
“I think we set ourselves well in the second half, in that period when we dominate. We come to areas where we want to go, and we get figures in the box, and I think we are creating some really good opportunities.
“We wanted more, and you know that you have to score on your chances against Lyon because they also have so much threat. We are going to judge, but at the end of the day it is a target difference, and it is half time, so we still have every opportunity in the second leg.”
Full -time in North Londs.
We will be back next weekend to run the tie around pic.twitter.com/GV1P86DX4M
– Arsenal Women (@ARSENALWFC) April 19, 2025
The two parties will meet for the second stage on April 27, while the next match of Arsenal in the Women's Super League will come against Aston Villa the following Wednesday.
The Gunners currently follow WSL leaders Chelsea with three points and have played more a match.
Arsenal has only won one of their seven Champions League matches against Lyon (D1 L5), while it is the most defeats they have suffered against a single opponent in the competition.
They want to reach their second Champions League final, after 2006-07, but have a shortage to overcome if they want to avoid a fifth consecutive semi-final exit.
“We also need a good structure in the second stage because they are so good, but fluidity is important for us to be able to disturb the opposition. That will always be part of our game,” Slioners added.
“A feature that cannot be questioned this season is the comeback skill of the team, who has turned competitions in various challenging scenarios. We have to do that again if we try to reach the final next weekend, and the players remain full of faith.
“It is now the peace, and it is a goal difference. We know that it is a big challenge and a really good opponent, but we believe, and we have to believe that it will be possible next week.”