Will the “Lionesses” finally overcome the Lyonnaises?
This is the immense challenge that awaits the players of FC Fleury 91, this Saturday (5:45 p.m.) in the semi-final of the Coupe de France.
Like last season, at the same stage (2-0 victory for OL), Fabrice Abriel's players find the Lyon ogre, winner of 9 of the last 11 editions of the Cup and whom the Floriacumoises have never beaten in 13 confrontations (1 draw, 12 defeats).
The reasons for hope exist, of course, due to the magic of the Cup of course but also the great dynamics and the great season of FC Fleury, 5th in D1 Arkema and which is dreaming of its very first qualification for the final.
“The Coupe de France is a magnificent human adventure,” underlines David Fanzel, the team’s sports manager.
A victory in this competition leaves many more memories than in the championship.
It's been three years in a row that we have qualified for the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.
No other team has done it.
Even if from this stage it becomes complicated, with Lyon and PSG, we would like to score a blow against OL.
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Four victories in a row for Fleury?
Opposite, the Lyon “Fenottes”, comfortably first in the championship and who have 14 Cup finals to their name, are advancing as favorites.
Even if Sonia Bompastor knows it: this match will be of even greater importance as the two teams will meet again this Friday, March 15, in the championship, and that it can give them a psychological advantage.
⏳ Our Lionesses will be in Lyon to play the game 𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞́𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞!
#GoLionesses🦁 pic.twitter.com/jId2paLyeG
— FC Fleury 91 Féminines (@FCF91_feminines) March 8, 2024
“We understand the importance of the first match, because a victory gives us the advantage over the opponent,” commented the Lyon coach at a press conference this Thursday.
Concentration must be placed on the first match, which we are preparing calmly.
Although Fleury's team has strengthened during the transfer window, we are confident that we can put our own strengths to use, especially as we will be playing at home.
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The Floriacumoises will travel to the Lyon field, at the Gérard-Houllier stadium in Décines-Charpieu, with good momentum, since they have won their last three matches against Guingamp (3-1, February 10), Lille (5 -1, February 14) and Reims (1-0, March 2).
They still have to go for the four in a row.