NEWS
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Are Lyon Women the best women’s football team ever assembled, and is it good for the game?
Champions League success is almost synonymous with Real Madrid, four wins in the past five seasons. Do you know who else has done that sort of thing in the same period, Lyon. The Women’s French Ligue 1 champions are redefining the word, dominance.
Introduction
Olympique Lyonnais is a French club that has been existence since 1970. They play in the highest division in France, Ligue 1. Lyon are known for being able to attract and groom the best talent in the world. Even more prominently, they are remembered for accolades that includes winning the league ten times, the Coupe de France seven times, and the Champions League four times. In this article, we want to not just analyse their greatness, but critically ask ourselves if the team’s greatness is beneficial to the game as a whole. Does it help to always have an almost unbeatable opponent?
Sarah Bouhaddi of Olympique Lyonnais lifts the trophy in victory after the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between Lyon and Paris Saint Germain at Cardiff City Stadium on June 1, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. Olympique Lyonnais win 7-6 on penalties after the match finished 0-0.
(May 31, 2017 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)
Champions League
With a record crowd of 22,911 people behind Chelsea, Lyon showed that sometimes all that matters is what happens on the pitch. The French Ligue 1 side humbled Chelsea to a 2-1 defeat, making it to the final of the 2019 UEFA Women’s Champions League which will be held on the 18th of May in Budapest. The team will not just be tasting a European final for the first time but will be lining up for the title for the 4th time in a row. This shall be Lyon’s eighth final appearance since 2010 and have won the title on 5 of such occasions. Surely greatness maybe accompanied by some form of luck. Lyon got one of their desperately needed goals as an own goal from Chelsea. Unlike most games where the French champions just almost breeze through the 90 minutes, they were really pushed in against the North London club, with some of the players kneeling on the ground after the game. This goes on to show that the team could be getting the right competition to either topple down their reign or push them to the fullest potential. The road to this stage has however been fairly easy compared to what most teams go through seeing that they have never lost a single game. They had 2 draws and an impressive 9-0 score against Ajax Women in October last year. When a team hits such a clean record, is it then not fair to ask if they are not the best team ever assembled? We will also take a deep look into the components that make up this explosion.
Current Roster
Recently, The Guardian released a list of top 100 players in the world and 5 of the players in the Top 10 were from Lyon. In other words, 50% of the ladies that are most celebrated in the world, play for the French Champions. Below are brief bios of Ada Hegerberg, Lucy Bronze and Eugénie Le Sommer that came 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. The first two players also made it to FIFA’s Top 10 women.
Olympique Lyonnais' French forward Eugenie Le Sommer (L) and Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg (R) celebrate during the Women Champions League semi-final first leg football match Olympique Lyonnais (OL) against Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc de l'Olympique Lyonnais in Decines-Charpieu, central eastern France, on April 24, 2016. / AFP / ROMAIN LAFABREGUE
(April 24, 2016 - Source: AFP)
Ada Hegerberg
She is known as the first woman to have won the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2018. This was not the first as she has been showered with awards all her career. At 16 years of age, she played for Kolbotn in Norway and became the youngest player to score a hat trick. In that league, she emerged as the Youngest Player of the Year. Ada was also the first woman to be awarded the Norwegian Gold Ball Award and voted UEFA’s Best Woman Player in Europe. The 23-year-old Norwegian was instrumental in Lyon’s win against Wolfsburg to snatch their most recent Champions League crown and in their 2017/18 French title triumph. The Ballon d’Or award was in recognition for outstanding scoring record, 53 goals in 33 appearances for her club. Good news is that Lyon does not have to worry about losing her to any other club as she has signed a contract to stay with the club until 2021.
Lucy Bronze
After qualifying for the Champions League finals, Lucy Bronze expressed disappointment that her team simply won the game. According to her, they are a team that should not just win, but excel at what they do. To anyone else, this should have been something to celebrate. That perhaps speaks to the players’ insatiable ambition for doing the very best on the field of play. This even explains why the England Women’s team head coach, Phil Neville, hails Lucy as the best player in the world. The former Manchester United player commends Lucy for her ability to get the ball and pass with great athletic skill. To him, she has reached world class status. The English international has also won the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year twice in 2014 and 2017.
Eugénie Le Sommer
The 29-year-old who is also part of the French national team scored 10 goals in 13 games in the ongoing UEFA Women’s Champions League. The player who is known for her fantastic forward passes is currently the highest goal scorer at Lyon, approaching the 250 goal mark. She has also been complemented greatly for her incredible teamwork both off and on the field. One thing that she is passionate about is never ceasing to dream. In an interview with Foot Mercato, Le Sommer expressed that for her “the Ballon d'Or is not an ultimate goal”. She does acknowledge its significance to anyone who knows what soccer is about, but what she strives for, is to be efficient and at be her best. She was quoted saying, “After all, it's not an ultimate goal for me. The most important thing is to be efficient. If I am good and I am at my level, I can hope to be in the list and why not win one day. But I'm not focused on it.”
How Good Are They Really?
There is a tendency to exaggerate success when it is not put into context. We might think that Lyon is great until we see what other teams are doing. Starting off with Chelsea whom they kicked out of the UCL semi-finals. Chelsea has never won the Champions League but still boasts of the 2015 famous double, where they won both the FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Cup. That was a while ago and really, the comparison between Lyon and Chelsea at this point, tips the scale towards to French Champions’ prowess and recent accomplishments. They will be facing Barcelona in the final, who will be stepping on the UCL finals turf for the first time. They have, however, done well in domestic cups like the Primera Division where they have won the top flight league title, four times and also won the Copa de Lareina, six times. One club that has also made strides in the game has been Vfl Wolfsburg from Germany. At the time of the writing of this article, VfL Ladies were one win away from a third successive Bundesliga title after cruising to a 7-0 win against SC Sand on Sunday. They have won the Champions League twice and even beat Lyon in 2012/2013 season. It’s fair to conclude that Lyon have also had their few humbling experiences but none of the other prominent clubs has been able to achieve what they currently have under their belt. Lyon’s dominance can also be credited to their diamond formation (4-3-1-2) which enables them to engage all the players. They usually employ a more defensive technique that enable them to hit opponents on the counter, when they least expect it. Really, is such dominance worth celebrating?
“In a world where women football is still on the rise, but not yet where it should be, it is quite beneficial to have such legendary teams. They serve as inspiration for other teams not just in Europe, but in other parts of the world where women football might not even be taken seriously.”
Lucy Bronze of Olympique Lyonnais scores the opening goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League, Semi Final Second Leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester City at Groupama Stadium on April 29, 2018 in Lyon, France.
(April 28, 2018 - Source: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Europe
Is it Beneficial for the game?
Some may say it helps to have a team that is the best at what they do. Their actions and tactics become a benchmark for other teams and give them something that they can work towards. Other teams in the league can say, “We want to play like Lyon in future: because they have seen what greatness looks and feels like.” In a world where women football is still on the rise, but not yet where it should be, it is quite beneficial to have such legendary teams. They serve as inspiration for other teams not just in Europe, but in other parts of the world where women football might not even be taken seriously. Even though Lyon has a men’s section, the women section seems to be the more successful one, which is not usually the case with many teams that have both wings. Secondly, Lyon has become home to players who want to grow their career because they know that they can meet like-minded people who are willing to grow with them. A great team that becomes a magnet for great players and provides a grooming space for national teams and the international community is definitely a must keep. Teams like Lyon have done well for Europe and has even attracted great players from other parts of the world.
On the other hand, though, does it really help to compete in a place where your opponent is almost unbeatable? Sports become enjoyable when the field is level and anybody can come up as a victor on any day. Lyon might be an inspiration at times but it can also be the reason why some teams are demotivated especially when they do not have the financial capacity to attract great talent the way that they do. Teams should never feel like they have lost a game even before they get to the field. Fortunately, Lyon is not unbeatable as there are other teams like Frankfurt, Vfl Wolfsburg and Arsenal that know how to feed the humble pies, once in a while.
Conclusion
The term G.O.A.T. is not one that you just toss around like a coin, as it usually reflects unquestionable hard work and commitment. Based on the accolades and calibre of players that Lyon has been able to attract, it seems fair to give them this title. A G.O.A.T team. They are not unbeatable but have been able to do more than many other clubs. Such excellence is what everybody should be aiming for but when it is only saturated in one team, it might then work in others’ advantage in the grand scheme of things.
African Stars: Pick of the weekend's action
It’s all here, Belfodil’s quick brace that stunned league leaders, Dortmund; Zaha’s return to the scoresheet, En-Nesyri’s hat-trick, Alex Iwobi, Liverpool, and much more of the weekend’s action from all over the world.
Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Youssef En-Nesyri of Malaga during the La Liga match between Malaga and Barcelona at Estadio La Rosaleda on March 10, 2018 in Malaga, spain.
(March 9, 2018 - Source: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images Europe)
The weekend came and didn’t disappoint. From the mauling of Chelsea by Pep’s 6-star Manchester City, a dramatic Soweto derby stalemate and Benfica’s historic 10-0 dismantling of Nacional - it’s fair to say we were thoroughly entertained. Even more interesting is the growing number of African footballers grabbing headlines and superheroing the show for their sides. Here are the selected highlights involving such players.
En-Nesyri scores the first La Liga hatrick for Leganes
The 21-year-old Moroccan was perhaps the biggest winner of the weekend as he led Leganes to a 3-0 victory over sixth placed Real Betis. Youssef En-Nesyri made it 2-0 at the halfway mark of the match before adding a third after the restart, becoming the first ever player to score a Spanish La Liga hatrick in the club’s history. The youngster has since scored 7 times in his last 5 league matches for the side and is fast becoming a priceless gift for both club and country. It’s becoming clear that his 2018 FIFA world cup substitute strike in Lions of the Atlas’ 2-2 draw against Spain was not a fluke, he may be that goal getter that the North African country has been in need of. It’s actually turning out to be an interesting build up to the June 2019 AFCON finals.
Liverpool’s realise their African dream
Fans during the Carling Black Label Champion Cup match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. At least two people have been reported to have been killed and several injured in a crush during the game at South Africa's biggest stadium.
(July 28, 2017 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
Jurgen Klopp’s title chasing Liverpool regained top spot in the premier league for at least a few hours before Manchester City’s “rude” bashing of Chelsea and all of Matip, Keita, Mane and Salah made a telling contribution to the result. Cameroonian defender, Joel Matip partnered with the Reds’ chief of defence, Virgil Van Dijk to deliver yet another clean sheet, a league high of 14 for the Merseysiders. Naby Keita was central to a renewed Liverpool midfield which had been almost non-existent in recent weeks, holding onto the ball, sliding passes and going out at opponents in super sonic speed. The Guinea national team captain enjoyed his best game yet for Liverpool and is starting to justify the price attached to his services. As for the forwards, Mane headed Liverpool ahead in the 24th minute for his 12th premier league goal of the season, making it 4 consecutive league goals for the first time in the Senegalese’s career. The Egyptian king wrapped up the scoring in the 48th minute, adding to Gini Wijnaldum’s cool finish and making it 3 goals and 3 points for Liverpool on the day.
Soweto still belongs to The Ghost
Sol Bamba of Cardiff City wins a header over Denis Odoi of Fulham during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Fulham FC at Cardiff City Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 19, 2018 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
One of the most anticipated club football matches on the continent ended in a 1-1 stalemate as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs gave in everything to claim bragging rights over Johannesburg’s Soweto township. For Chiefs in particular, it sure tasted like a defeat as they are yet to beat the Buccaneers in the last 12 meetings between the two sides. Quite fairly, Amakhosi sure looked like the side with a score to settle as their troubled Amabhakabhaka in the opening stages, with Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker spearheading that attack.Their efforts were eventually rewarded in the 53rd minute as Billiat won a penalty which Daniel Cardoso calmly converted. They could have gotten a second moments later as Billiat latched onto a quick overhead pass, only for his effort to skew inches wide of the goal. As the long awaited victory seemed assured for the Lords, heartbreak came in the 80th minute as Thembinkosi Lorch was sent through on goal, expertly rounding off the goalkeeper to extend Pirates’ unbeaten run against their bitter rivals to a record 12.
Other matches
Nigerian international, Alex Iwobi was on the score sheet as Arsenal saw off relegation threatened, Huddersfield Town to keep their top four hopes alive. Senegal’s M’baye Niang also grabbed a goal for Rennes who beat St Etienne 3-0 to move within a point of the league’s top 4 teams. It was a night to forget for Achraf Hakimi and Dortmund who blew away a 3 nil lead with only 25 minutes to go as they finished 3-3 against Hoffenheim whose Algerian striker, Ishak Belfodil struck twice to secure a point for the visitors. Wilfried Zaha returned to the score sheet as he grabbed an equalizer for Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw against West Ham and so did Ivory Coast’s Sol Bamba who added a goal for Cardiff as they sealed an emotional win since learning of the demise of Emiliano Sala.
Is Mbappe, the next big “thing” after Ronaldo and Messi?
After winning the coveted world cup gold at 20 years of age, there aren’t a lot of more things to win for Kylian. Yet he is still going too strong, boasting of stats which were previously associated with only Messi and Ronaldo.
“Now, 20 games into the French Ligue 1 season, PSG remains unbeaten and Mbappe is topping the scoring charts, again from a wide position not as an outright striker. The former Monaco forward has 18 goals and 6 assists to his name in nothing but only 12 league starts. Only Messi has scored more among Europe’s top five leagues with 19 goals in 17 La Liga starts.”
For quite some time, it really has been hugely “blasphemous” to pick out a footballer in the current age, who is or could go on to be as good as the two prime GOATs(Greatest Of All Time), Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But as of now, you can almost get away by throwing Kylian Mbappe’s name in that bracket or at least as one for the future.
The world at his feet
The 20-year-old set the world ablaze at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as he played a pivotal role in helping France win the world title. In a match that pitted him and the Argentine magician as the opposite number, the Frenchman of Cameroonian descent came out on top. We all knew it was going to be a long night for Messi and company as Mbappe slid through the South Americans at top speed from one end to another, leaving Marcos Rojo with no choice but to foul the then teenager inside the penalty area for the first goal of the contest. The match would then finish 4-3 in favor of Les Blues with young Kylian getting two of France’s goals and finishing off the match as the better number 10, ahead of Messi. As the tournament came to a close, Mbappe would then lift up the World Cup gold as a teenager, the one trophy which is still out of reach for the two GOATs in Ronaldo and Messi. Even more, Kylian became the first teenager since Pele to score in a world cup final. Of course the naysayers would say, “it’s only because the PSG forward has highly gifted players” to compliment him in the French squad, which could be true but having a teenage winger scoring 4 goals in the world cup finals is no average player’s feat.
French President Emmanuel Macron awards Kylian Mbappe of France with the FIFA Young Player Award as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President of Russia Valdimir Putin and President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic look on following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.
(July 14, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)
Still going on strong
At Monaco, some said he had it easy scoring 15 goals and serving up 8 assists in 17 starts as Leonardo Jardim’s men claimed the 2016/17 French Ligue 1 title. We didn’t hear their voices out loud when that teenager bagged 6 goals in his UEFA Champions league debut season in the same campaign. Again at the world cup, “ it’s only because France’s that good,” they would say and we were not too surprised as they withdrew praise when he stood on that podium with the world cup gold in his palms and the Golden Boy Award to accompany it. Now, 20 games into the French Ligue 1 season, PSG remains unbeaten and Mbappe is topping the scoring charts, again from a wide position not as an outright striker. The former Monaco forward has 18 goals and 6 assists to his name in nothing but only 12 league starts. Only Messi has scored more among Europe’s top five leagues with 19 goals in 17 La Liga starts. He also has 4 assists and 3 goals in the champions league as he seeks to increase that tally when the Parisians take on Manchester United.
Where to from here?
It’s still one of the popular arguments surrounding the world cup winner’s potential and success, that same old song of “he has had it easy playing in an uncompetitive league or with great players surrounding him.” One thing is sure though, he seems to be the only one to have played under such circumstances and managed to pull up numbers previously associated with only Messi and Ronaldo. He might have had it easy as they say and could continue doing so as he climbs up that ladder. Maybe, just maybe he is too good to have it “easy” all the way?