Preseason
31 August 2025
Highlights
- 1′ Kick-off of the match. (0-0)
- 10′ Kosovare Asllani’s free kick sails well over Christane Endler’s goal.
- 16′ Vicki Becho meets a cross from Sofie Svava, but the ball goes over.
- 23′ Liana Joseph tries a powerful shot, but it’s off target.
- 27′ Ashley Lawrence’s cross is deflected by Saki Kumagai as Ada Hegerberg lurks in the box.
- 32′ GOAL by Liana Joseph, who curls her shot into the side netting (1-0).
- 39′ Liana Joseph tries for her second goal, but her powerful shot hits the crossbar.
- 56′ Goodwin and Parris threaten in the Lyon penalty area, but can’t convert.
- 56′ Tabitha Chawinga shoots, but goalkeeper Emily Orman is alert.
- 67′ Kadidiatou Diani, very dangerous since coming on, wins a penalty for handball.
- 67′ GOAL Inès Benyahia converts the penalty (2-0)
- 71′ Saki Kumagai saves a shot from Selma Bacha
- 76′ GOAL A superb 30-meter strike from Freya Godfrey reduces the deficit (2-1)
- 89′ GOAL What a move from Lily Yohannes! Her rocket goes under the bar: unstoppable!
- 90+2′ Lyon wins against London City Lionesses (3-1)
Summary
Departures, returns, arrivals: it was a memorable evening at the GOLTC! Even before the Lyon women’s impressive performance on the pitch, the fans were already thrilled by the reunions and introductions of the various players present at the Groupama OL Training Center. They were able to see former Lyon players Saki Kumagai (2013-2021), Daniëlle van de Donk (2021-2025), and Nikita Parris (2019-2021), now playing for London City Lionesses. Fans also discovered the new faces of OL Lyon, as Teagan Micah, Ashley Lawrence, Korbin Shrader, Ingrid Engen, Lily Yohannes, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and Jule Brand all took to the pitch on Thursday. Finally, they were able to pay tribute to Lyon legend Amel Majri, who was present and warmly applauded before the match.
After two matches behind closed doors against Servette (5-0) and Nuremberg (3-0), Jona Giráldez’s players faced the ambitious London City Lionesses, who, under Jocelyn Prêcheur, are preparing for their first-ever season in the FA Women’s Super League. Both teams in Michele Kang’s Kynisca group delivered a very strong performance. In the first half, Vicki Becho was omnipresent, but it was ultimately Liana Joseph who capitalized on Lyon’s attacking dominance by finding the side netting (32′). Lyon’s young players shone in the early stages of the match, with Maisssa Fathallah also putting in a solid defensive performance. Captain Christane Endler’s team continued to set a high tempo in the first half and could have extended their lead on several occasions before the break. In the second half, despite numerous substitutions, OL Lyonnes continued to dictate the tempo, maintaining a cohesive style of play. The introduction of Kadidiatou Diani revitalized the Lyon team. After launching a series of attacks, she drew a handball from a London City player. Inès Benyahia then converted the penalty (67′). But London City Lionesses responded well, and after a save by Saki Kumagai, Freya Godfrey reduced the deficit with a magnificent strike from 30 meters. Ultimately, it was the young new Lyon player (18 years old), Lily Yohannes, who had the final say with a rocket of a shot that nestled under the crossbar (89′), sealing the victory in spectacular fashion.
The next step
The Lyon women’s team departs for Germany on Saturday for a week-long training camp at the adidas campus in Herzogenaurauch. There, they will play two friendly matches against Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt. They will then return to Lyon for final preparations before their clash against Marseille (Sunday, September 7th, 5:30 pm at Groupama Stadium) for the opening match of the Arkema Première Ligue season.
Match Sheet
At the Groupama OL Training Center in Lyon-Décines
Friendly Match: OL Lyonnes – London City Lionesses (1-0) 2-0
Goals: Joseph (32′), Benyahia (sp, 67′), Yohannes (89′) for OL Lyonnes. Godfrey (76‘) for London City Lionesses.
OL Lyonnes: Endler (Micah 63′) – Lawrence (Sombath 63′), Fathallah (Junttila Nelhage 45′), Engen (Sangare 71′), Svava (Bacha 64′) – Heaps (Brand 63′), Dumornay (Benyahia 45′), Shander Joseph (45′) 63′), Hegerberg (Chawinga 45′), Becho (Brand 63′). Coach : Jonathan Giraldez.
London City Lionesses: Lete (Orman 45′) – Pérez, Kumagai, Asllani (Franssi, 55′), van de Donk – Linari (Henson 55′), Parris, Wilde – Brown (Fernández 55′), Goodwin, Imuran (Godfrey 55′). Coach: Jocelyn Preacher.
