23 March 2022
Juventus Women’s European ambitions will be firmly tested by Olympique Lyonnais, the team that has lifted the Champions League trophy more than any other. The Bianconere’s opponents are undisputedly among Europe’s elite.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
After having won the previous five Champions Leagues, which took their overall tally to a record seven successes, Lyon last year failed to go beyond the quarter-final stage for the first time in 12 seasons.
Getting the better of the then reigning European champions were French rivals Paris Saint Germain, who also stole their Ligue 1 crown, obliging Lyon to start their European campaign from the qualifying phase, when they defeated Levante 2-1 both home and away
In the group stage, Lyon strode triumphantly to first place in Group D with 15 points from the 18 available against Bayern Munich, Benfica and Hacken. Five victories and just one defeat, against the German champions. The only goal of the game was scored by Japanese midfielder Saki Kumagai in her first season with Bayern after eight years with Lyon.
THE STARS
Lyon have welcomed back Ada Hegerberg after a long lay-off. The Norwegian superstar, with 56 goals, has scored more than any other player in the history of the UWCL. However, the team's top-scorer this season, on 15 goals is Melvine Malard, three of which, like Hergerberg, have come in the Champions League.
The French side have worries at the back as they are without their starting goalkeeper, Christiane Endler. Veteran Sarah Bouhaddi is in line to replace Endler. Other notable players in the star-studded squad are Wendie Renard, the central defender who scored at the Allianz Stadium last season from the penalty spot, Amandine Henry, captain of the French national team, and talented midfielder Delphine Cascarino.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Juventus Women and Lyon faced each other last season in the Round of 32, in a match that showed Juve’s growing self-belief. Despite leading twice, Juventus succumbed 3-2 at home (Hurtig and a Buchanan own-goal for Juve, a Renard penalty, Malard and Kumagai for Lyon) before losing the second leg 3-0 at Parc OL (Maroszan, Malard and Cayman).
