Olympique Lyonnais (W)

vs

Arsenal (W)

Preview

Lyon (home)

• Lyon have played some fantastic soccer under Jonatan Giráldez’s leadership since his appointment in June 2025, with a possession-based style of play yielding immediate domestic success and giving them momentum as they chase a European comeback.
• Lyon have 63 points from 20 matches and are running away with the French title.
• Home record is also exceptional.
• Christiane Endler’s experience in goal should allow Lyon to play with confidence.

Arsenal (away)

• Arsenal (W) will arrive in Lyon with a 2 - 1 advantage in their UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025-2026 semi-final after a thrilling first leg at the Emirates, but with a place in the final at stake, bragging rights and a home crowd to please, Lyon will be determined to put in a performance and turn this tie around.
• Arsenal (W) have won four of their last five competitive games.
• Renée Slegers’ Arsenal (W) are an entirely different animal, however, and have achieved their recent European success through high-pressing as a collective, making quick transitions and a very high tempo.
• With Leah Williamson back from injury, Arsenal (W) should have a solid defensive core to combat Lyon’s multi-pronged attack.

Key Players

• Olivia Smith, who scored Arsenal’s winner in the first leg, seems to be the most likely player to step up on the big European nights at the moment.
• Kadidiatou Diani and Tabitha Chawinga have been two of the most lethal players in Division 1 Féminine this season, but Melchie Dumornay is a major factor in this game.
• She is among the top UWCL scorers and, while she doesn’t always score the most goals, is often the player who makes things happen and will be looking to get involved early on Saturday.

Prediction

• I wouldn’t rule out an early goal from Lyon.
• Weather forecasts predict thunderstorms for Lyon on Saturday, which could make for an exciting atmosphere for what is likely to be a close matchup.