Arsenal decidedly second best, but Lyonnes let holders off the hook

LONDON — Devastating defensive errors ol lyonnes gifted armory A significant advance towards the second phase of uefa women’s champions league semi-finals, 2-1 win on Sunday And bringing them within touching distance of another European final.

The holders looked set for a 1–0 defeat had it not been for the eight-time winners’ extremely disastrous defending which led to their downfall. It was flat and weak from Arsenal for the first hour. His extravagance prevented him from canceling juul brandThe early strikes were born out of Arsenal’s inability to control the ball, leaving Lyon in a vital area to take advantage.

But at the hour mark, Christian Endler The easiest save a keeper can make from a free kick fails marionna caldentiDespite some last-ditch saves from Ingrid Engen, the ball slipped out of her hands, past her and into the goal. The horrors of this pair were not over yet.

In a completely embarrassing attempt to defend against a relatively easy chance, Endler actually failed to make the stop olivia smith As she began to stumble to the floor, Engen tripped in the process, giving Smith an open net to head home. The pair could only watch in disappointment and pain as the ball rolled into the net, sealing Arsenal’s lead.

This would not have been so painful for the visitors if Arsenal had not failed to create anything despite so many chances given to them. In fact the chances he tried to create ended in frustration and raised eyebrows even as the competition’s top scorer alessia russo Struggled to keep hold of the ball and convert chances. Stina BlacksteniusThe heroes of last season’s final were also benefiting from a well-worked team buildup.

There were limited reinforcements off the bench. with beth mead out for personal reasons steph catley shin injury and chloe kelly Struggling with a minor muscle problem, the team had only six outfield subs, none of whom were able to change the game or increase Arsenal’s lead.

In any other game, the extravagance would have sealed their fate as a loss. However, as much as Arsenal were failing to take advantage of their chances, Lyons’ performances were worse.

Jonathan Giraldez boast arguably the best and deepest squad in Europe at the moment, something that certainly can’t be argued against when it comes to attackers. He is the Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer Ada Hegerberg at his disposal Kadidiyatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Catotto, tabitha chawinga And melchi dumornay – who was on the bench but not actually available to play – as a substitute up front. Even the summer midfield additions of the brand and Lily Yohannes Add a huge profit.

Boasting such a deep squad is only beneficial if it is used to win games. Lyonesse failed to do so. After Brand scored the opener, Lyon had no chances on goal. This is unacceptable with the squad they have.

Arsenal caused many problems, losing the ball in key areas and failing to defend against pace and ferocity in attack, with Lyons managing only six shots. That’s a far cry from Arsenal’s 16.

Lyon had only eight touches in the opposition box, and although this was significantly less than in the first leg of the quarterfinal VfL Wolfsburg (38 touches, 19 shots; 3 on target), the lack of clinical edge continues to persist. Diani had a great chance to restore the visitors’ lead in the 65th minute after regaining possession and almost firing a rocket on target, yet he smashed the crossbar.

When the pair met at this level last season, things were different, but some of the same errors persisted.

The Rennes sluggers had less than half a season in charge, Lyon was managed by Joe Montemurro and were without both of the summer signings that essentially took them to where they are now.

But Lyon showed similar issues last term which they have failed to fix under Giraldez. The 4–1 second leg gave Arsenal an air ticket to Lisbon, with several of their goals coming from defensive lapses by the same goalkeeper. The lack of controlled defending, although the backline has changed since then, has not improved.

However, this is still half the time. There are still 90 minutes left in Lyon, where the hosts will be keen to make amends for their mistakes – namely that they failed to compound Arsenal’s profligacy further. This is no uncharted territory, having overturned their 1-0 defeat in the quarter-finals, but Arsenal have fuel of their own.

After emerging victorious, there is a target on their back. They are the team to beat and yet they will be keen to prove that they are not a one-hit wonder and that their victory last season was no fluke but an assertion of their dominance.