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Olympique Lyonnais - Paris Saint-Germain UWCL OLPlay Postgame Interviews

The lengths I will go to to avoid translating an OLPLay Night Systems interview, you have no idea.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms Dept please enable my Starbucks addiction or chip in for my AC bill; banning stans from stadiums would make this sport so much better; y'all know the speech by now.

Sidenote: my bone to pick with this journalist is he doesn't really know women's football. He did an OL Night Systems interview last season where he basically said Lyon Fem should field all French [academy] players (racist); speaks super condescendingly to the female players (sexist); and seemed much more interesting in the men's academy game which was being broadcast right after the UWCL postgame show. Timothee Piron and Coralie Ducher tried to save the interviews, but between him and the fucking academy director posing as a journalist, it didn't go well.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

AMEL MAJRI OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Journalist: Diani, 80th minute. Dumornay, 84th minute. I'd like to present to you Mrs. 86th minute, Mrs. 3-2 win, it's Mrs. Amel Majri. Good evening, Amel.

Majri: Good evening.

Journalist: You're going to have to pull out the exact numbers. 300?

Timothee: Your next game will be your 300th game with Olympique Lyonnais. [this almost guarantees she starts against EAG on Wednesday]. That will be an important game. But this one, the one we just experienced, it's important too.

Journalist: Talk us through it. In those 300 games - and I am sure you will talk about the end of this one as well, you were in the heart of Groupama Stadium. You've experienced comebacks, upsets like I am sure.

Majri: Yes, we -

Journalist: Which one stands out for you, before we talk about tonight's.

Majri: The one in the [2018] UWCL Final.

Journalist: [sounding surprised] It was already the UWCL. Okay. [How could he not know it??] Tell us what was said in the locker room. What was said on the substitutes bench up to the 80th minute when PSG was showing they were a good team. What happened after? But before the comeback, what was going through your head? Because we couldn't understand it, even with Timothee Piron and Coralie Ducher explaining it.

Majri: At halftime, we knew that we had done some good things in the first half. We respected what we had worked on all week. Unfortunately the only thing that was missing was the finishing. We weren't rewarded [with a goal]. In the second half it was the same, we weren't scoring, unfortunately we were down 2-0. But what was good is that we kept playing our game. We tried to play and disrupt PSG. We didn't freak out either, we believed. And then when we got control of the ball we started to put our chances away.

Journalist: So the first goal, it's the 80th minute. It's that goal from Kadi[diatou] Diani. You who was on the field, what were you looking at? Did you think you could come back like the men's team?

Majri: Yes. Also we - we saw the ball go in, we could also hear the fans cheering, they were really pushing us. We believed. We knew we had it in us to get those second and third goals because we have so much experience in this competition. And yeah, it's a UWCL game. When you keep going all game, you get results like tonight.

Journalist: And then you see Melchie Dumornay, 84th minute. She sends a missile. it was a magnificent shot. You wouldn't have been able to stop it. You, Amel, did you say to yourself, "it's the 84th minute, there's six minutes remaining plus added time"?

Majri: Yeah, I was fresh. I found myself central, I could see Melchie and I asked for the ball. I didn't know if she was tracking behind me, I feigned and then shot across goal.

Journalist: You shot on your favorite foot, your left foot. The control, the shot, all with the left foot.

Majri: We worked on it. We worked on it with Camille [Abily] all week in training. Shoot across goal without forcing it. It paid off tonight.

Timothee: If you watch the replays, you shot right at the post. It couldn't have gone in any better.

Majri: Yeah, I had a good look. I was happy.

Timothee: How did you feel when you saw it go in? Did you say to yourself - we had a PSG who was completely dominating, and then you had that comeback. How did you experience that?

Majri: It's the beauty - it's what makes football beautiful, honestly. Scenarios like that, they're the type of scenarios you dream about. When it happens to you you're super happy. But you have to keep yourself grounded and say it's only the first leg, if we want the second leg to be as good, we have to win it. We learnt a lot during this game, it was an emotional rollercoaster. We have to learn from it even if we won.

Journalist: Coralie [Ducher] was telling us earlier with her experience -

Coralie: It's a bit outdated.

Journalist: Outdated, I was just going to say it's been a while. It's just because Amel [Majri] went through it 30 minutes ago. Psychologically, do games like this leave an impression on champions like yourself, even if they're going to be ready for you next Sunday at Parc des Princes? Psychologically speaking, are you and Sonia [Bompastor] going to say "okay, we messed up in the first hour, we maybe weren't at our best. But now we have an unexpected opportunity, we completed the comeback." Is it something you will work on psychologically?

Majri: Yeah, of course, we need to be able to use it. But I also think that - maybe not for an hour - but I honestly think we had a good first half [debatable..] We know what note we have to end on and what to work on. It gave them confidence to score, then they scored a second. We struggled for maybe 20, 30 minutes. But I think, as you said, those sort of games come down to experience and we were able to show we won eight UWCLs for a reason.

Journalist: Coralie, one last question before we release Amel.

Coralie: What are you expected for the second leg? Because they are going to want revenge.

Majri: They're also going to want to go out and win this game. Therefore I think they're going to play a bit more freely and find spaces for themselves. Here they were relying a lot on Chawinga and their attacking strengths. But we're also going there to win, to put away our chances and hopefully win the title at the end.

Coralie: Timothee and I really thought that Geyoro was a force in the midfield. Did you feel that as well? Personally I thought that when you came on, it brought another rhythm. Do you feel as though you brought something different when you came on, with maybe playing a little more on the left side and widening the field? Or - it's true that Geyoro was really a force. She's the driving force in the PSG midfield.

Majri: Yes, but - yes, it's true she was a force. Beyond that, I really like cutting inside. So I was up against her a lot. But no, no - it's something I like to do, drifting inside. But it's true that Geyoro, yeah ...

Coraline: And the goal was very much like Ada [Hegerberg], you crossed in front of goal.

Majri: [laughs] Yeah, shoutout to Ada.

Journalist: I see on the jersey "We Play Strong". That suits the team well.

Majri: It suits us.

Journalist: In any case, the Majri family will be eager to congratulate you, and even the youngest boys - or rather youngest girls - will see that famous goal and that incredible atmosphere with 38,000 fans. Amel, thank you for joining us.

Majri: Thank you.

MELCHIE DUMORNAY OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

[This interview is done by my arch nemesis aka the fucking academy director who poses as a journalist]

"Journalist": Melchie, what an amazing scenario. And that goal, those goals, and the final win.

Dumornay: It was incredible this evening. We went through an emotional rollercoaster tonight. The game was very difficult for us, so we showed a lot of character and never gave up to get the win in the end.

"Journalist": We felt in the first half that you were getting a lot of ball but with your back to the play. And as soon - when we were able to get the ball in front of you, you lit up the midfield.

Dumornay: Obviously it's something we have worked on all week to put ourselves in the right situations to hurt our opponent. So I was able to help the team that way, so I'm really happy. And we'll continue so we can be even better in the upcoming games.

"Journalist": Say something about the public, who really lifted you.

Dumornay: They're incredible. They gave us that adrenaline rush which pushed us to get that win. And they were really behind us. So all we could do is make them proud and not disappoint them when we were playing at home against our rivals. The team opposite was very scrappy, it's always difficult. So it's a lot of duels. And I think we deserved the win because we were able to get it despite the difficulties.

"Journalist": We know you've been waiting for these UWCL games, which were often delayed for you because of [your] injuries. You're not disappointed tonight.

Dumornay: I'm not disappointed because we won, but I think we can do even better. We conceded two goals so I think we need to work on that for the second leg, to avoid those sorts of situations. And now that we have the advantage, the game today is over but we need to learn from this game to be better for the next one, because it will decisive for going to the final.

"Journalist": Thank you, Melchie.

Dumornay: Thank you.

DAMARIS OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

[interview still done by my arch nemesis. As Taylor Swift once said, "I hate it here"]

"Journalist": Dama[ris], it's still an incredible scenario tonight. It started badly and at the 80th minute, everything fell into place.

Damaris: Yeah, I think that's Lyon. I think we did a really good first half but we just lacked efficiency in front of goal. And then they scored two goals, it was hard for us but that's Lyon as well. We have the experience. We did it for us, we did it for the fans. It was really important today for us to show up and for the injured players as well, I think we made a magnificent effort for everyone. Now we need to prepare for next week.

"Journalist": There was a turning point in the game, the save by Christiane Endler which avoided that third goal.

Damaris: Yeah. Christiane Endler, we've said it so many times, it's nothing new. I think she changed the game as well. After her save we picked up the reins and we created a lot of chances, and that's how we scored. We have the best goalkeeper here. I'm happy because she's always behind me and that always keeps me calm.

"Journalist": It was also a big battle in the midfield. It's also an important role in your defensive position today.

Damaris: Yeah, it's always like that against a team like PSG. It's a lot of one vs ones, a lot of duels. But that's football today, UWCL semifinals are going to have a lot of tackles. We need to win all the duels. That's how we were more efficient in the second half and how we won.

"Journalist": What are you expecting in the return leg?

Damaris: I don't know after this. We have a week to recover and see how we can prepare the best that we can.

"Journalist": Thank you, Dama[ris].

Damaris: Thank you.

SONIA BOMPASTOR OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Journalist: Sonia [Bompastor] is with us. Sonia, thank you very much. Amel [Majri] came and spoke with us 25 minutes ago. It's already great publicity for your players. There are a lot of smiles. First of all we were talking about [emotional] rollercoasters. Where are you at right now? Top, bottom, middle?

Bompastor: It's true that in football we like experiencing those kind of emotions. It's a completely insane scenario, even more so when you're at home with the crowd behind you. We really experienced such high emotions. So we're still savoring it.

Journalist: There was perhaps a little less savoring before the 80th minute. Somewhat related, you got scolded by the referee. What happened there?

Bompastor: No, I was gonna say that I find it difficult to stay calm on the sidelines. I'm deeply invested in the game.

Journalist: You have legitimate reasons not to stay calm. Up until the 80th minute, it had been going badly from the start. How would you narrate the end of the night? 80th minute, 84th minute, 86th minute. Did you watch the men's game or something?

Bompastor: [laughs awkwardly] Yes, yes, it's true, we used it for inspiration. In any case, the Lyon fans have been spoiled because between the men's team and the women's teams, there are absolutely crazy scenes. Mostly in our favor. But yeah, actually, since the start of the game, at halftime, I always believed that it was possible, even when we were down 1-0, we were quickly down 2-0 at the start of the second half but I knew that if we scored one goal, we would be able to get something out of it. So those were my words at halftime, very positive to give even more confidence to my players. And we have such a quality team with a lot of talent up top. So I'm not surprised that we were able to score those goals, even if opposite us there is a very good team, that doesn't make it easy.

Timothee: Sometimes we talk about experience and it's a little bit abstract. Is that not what experience actually is? Knowing that no matter the state you are in now, by getting a goal back you can go and get a result. Is there not a bit "know-how" in how to handle big games? Because honestly what happened tonight, it's pretty crazy. Is that not what experience is?

Bompastor: Yeah, obviously it helps. The more games you experience with different scenarios, the more you are able mentally to stay grounded when it is going well and not give up when it is more dire. I think that when we were down 2-0 there was Christiane Endler who made a decisive save which allowed us to stay just a little bit in the game. Then right after we scored that first goal. And yeah, I think that after having scored that first goal, tonight what really helped us was the crowd's support. We could really hear them, and they pushed us to score those two other goals which allowed us to win tonight.

Coralie: I brought up the mental aspect a lot. I think the teams tonight, especially Lyon because Paris [Saint-Germain] kind of did the positive, that [mental aspect] played a lot. Did you have some key players, I'm thinking of Amel Majri coming on who did a lot of good, they calmed the team down?

Bompastor: Yeah. In any case I like how the substitutes did when they came on. They brought energy at a time when the team needed it. Often when you are a coach, you anticipate different scenarios, so you're like "we're going to make this change to bring such and such thing". Tonight the energy of the players but especially Amel [Majri]'s finishing, for example, those brought a lot of positive things. I'm happy for them personally because it's never easy when you don't start a game. You're always a little bit frustrated, you're a competitor, you want playing time and to participate in those types of games. They knew how to be very positive for the group, they were able to be decisive as soon as they came on. And that allowed us to walk away with a positive result. It's a cumulation of things. I think the team is very strong mentally. It's a team that never gives up. Maybe tonight there would have been reasons to do so, and that's why experience is so necessary at this level.

Journalist: This Saturday, there was a good article on Pierre Sage [men's coach] in the publication L'Equipe [Bompastor laughs in disbelief off-camera] The Lyon men's coach insists a lot on this team and his substitutes. We can see it with Cherki, others. Could you tell us a little bit, without giving up any secrets, what work you do with the girls [note: he could have said players but said "girls"] who aren't necessarily regular starters at the start?

Bompastor: Well you know, I was going to tell you that for the coach and for the staff, those are the most important players. Because at the end of the day the ones who are playing are happy, they're in a good dynamic. But the consideration and the importance in the communication and relations you have with the players who sometimes have less playing time, that's what makes the difference. Because at a certain point they feel they're taken into consideration, they feel they're involved in the plans. And even if it's difficult in the heat of the moment, you have to acknowledge it as a human being. So when the coach comes over to you and says "I know it's hard for you, I know you want to play but you are going to play your role in a different way." Tonight for example for Amel, I think she is as happy tonight as she would have been had she started.

Journalist: Yes, that's what she showed us earlier. Coralie, another question before we let Sonia go. Sonia, what is going to be the schedule? I was going to say in the next hours. This game, are you going to rewatch it before tomorrow morning?

Bompastor: Usually I like to give myself 24 hours to come back down and see it better in hindsight. But sometimes I rewatch it on the go. It's always better to rewatch the game when there was a positive result, that's for sure. But we experienced a lot of emotions and we will need to really compartmentalize them and stay level-headed. You can count on us because we know it's going to be difficult next week.

Journalist: I also brought up video in my question. Are you going to show the players in the next hours how you concede those two goals? Are you going to specifically work on this game? Paris Saint-Germain showed some really good things that they will want to replicate Sunday at 4pm at the Parc des Princes.

Bompastor: Yeah, of course. That's the role of the staff, to analyze the game, go over the tactics, go over what Paris did on their side, go over what we did on ours, what caused us problems, what did we do well. We'll do analysis with the team and with individual players. There will be video sessions pretty much every day so the message is extremely clear for the players and for the team.

Journalist: Another question from Timothee, because in 4 minutes we're going to watch the men's reserve team.

Timothee: It's pretty crazy the different stages a team will go through. For maybe 20 minutes Lyon was being put through the wringer. In a flash that changes. After the first [Lyon] goal people were like "Paris is going to collapse". It's crazy how a team can just come together or like Paris did just collapse in an instant. It's complicated to analyze, really.

Bompastor: Yeah, well, you have to analyze it through the lens of the mental aspect is fundamental at this level. With regards to that, as you said, in those moments where it's difficult, you're down 2-0, you can't give up. You need to have the strength to be resilient and stand up to it. And when it's going well not to be too euphoric. And that's the experience from the players as well which helps enormously. It's the work of the staff, the coach, to compartmentalize all those emotions. But you only experience those types of emotions in football. That's why we like it and why we're fans.

#all good love stories start in the rain #amel majri #melchie dumornay #damaris #sonia bompastor

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redwineconversation · 6 days

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Ada Hegerberg OLPLay Interview: "Lyon is my home" (April 17, 2024)

It was this or the OL Night Systems interview and unlike others I have a full time job that I'd really like to keep, so I chose to do the shorter one first.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms Dept what would I not do for an Earl Grey with soy milk? Not much; I'd say I hope the deranged lunatic who thinks I would EVER post on the godforsaken website that is the L Chat gets hit by a bus but that would require them to step outside so instead I just hope they drink expired milk so we can be on equal levels of disgust; banning stans from stadiums would solve so many problems; y'all know the speech by now.

♫ It's you and me, there's nothing like this, Miss Americana Olympique Lyonnais and the Heartbreak Prince ♫

I love how you can have a legitimate debate about this: did Ada Hegerberg mold Olympique Lyonnais into her own image? Or did Lyon recruit her because they saw themselves in her? Like yeah you can totally say I romanticize this team and you're not wrong, you're really not. But holy shit do I love a good love story, especially if it started in the rain.

For the sake of aesthetics, if a Hegerberg quote is in italics, that means it's a flashback quote. Present day quotes are in normal font. Brackets is my own commentary. Y'all can just deal.

ADA HEGERBERG OLPLAY INTERVIEW

[OLD FOOTAGE - SUMMER 2014 - HEGERBERG SIGNS WITH OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS]

Hegerberg: I have learnt some French words. "ça vas, ça vas bien" (it's good, it's going well).

Hegerberg: I think it's an amazing chance to play with some amazing players. The club has high ambitions and I think it's my personal ambitions as well.

[PRESENT DAY]

[HEGERBERG LAUGHS]

Hegerberg: Oh, I was so young. Just a young girl, really. I remember so well when I came to Lyon. It was a magical summer, first of all. I landed at the airport, there was Isabelle Dias who came to get me, she was in high heels, super fashionable. She looked so French. No, it's magical to see this footage because I had this innocence but you could see I was also starstruck but had a lot of ambition. Honestly, I had such high hopes. I felt at home from the very first day. And - [Hegerberg laughs] I was so young. I was a little girl, and I became a woman.

[2014 - 2015 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS FOOTAGE]

Hegerberg: It was my first trophy with the club. From the very first season, I think I was so well integrated within the team. There are really some real characters within the team. I would say wee had a game plan which was so well prepared. From that point I was already developing as a player at a level that I wanted. That team was magical. There were some really good players.

Hegerberg: The first year at Lyon, it was considered a failure because we didn't go all the way in the UWCL. But we still were perfect in the [French] league. I think that since the first day, I've really worked hard to be a part of the team and it's worked out really well since then.

Hegerberg: Honestly I think it was a pleasure to come into this team because I remember I came with my little book of French words. So I really wanted to learn French pretty quickly because I knew the importance of integrating well within a team in order to perform well, in order to get along well with the team, the town, the country. I think you learn things when you talk about your country. I went to Germany when I was very young, and then I came to Olympique Lyonnais and France. You need to know how to keep the balance between adapting but also keep your own culture, your own [moral] values. But you still have to adapt. So it's a really great experience. But it's true that Camille [Abily], she came to get me. I was in a tiny, tiny apartment when I first came to Lyon. Even if I was in a really, really tiny apartment, I was living my best life. I had great players like Camille, she came to get me every day to take me to the training grounds. I was starstruck. So they were a really, really good group who knew how to put in place an integration which was really top, I think.

[2015 - 2016 UWCL FINAL FOOTAGE]

Hegerberg: It's true that the first final that you win, it's special because it's the first one. So many things happened in that game. First of all I think we played at a really high level throughout the season. The first goal was really magnificent. It was started with a great move from Pauline Bremer. And it's true that I missed my first penalty. That was also my mentality when I was young, I didn't doubt myself. So when it was time for the penalty shootout, of course I was like "obviously I want to take the first one!" That was classic me at the time. No fear of consequences. And I think that's what allowed me to not have any limits, to achieve great things in my career. But it's true you're quite innocent, you're a bit naive in a way when you're younger. I remember those sensations. The players were telling me "don't worry, Ada. We're going to do it. Even if your penalty was saved, we're going to do it." I felt that mentality around me. And we did it. And I remember Lotta, Lotta Schelin, she was telling me "don't worry. Don't worry, we're going to do it." And she was right.

Hegerberg: It was a dream. I knew it would be hard to win. And it was really hard. The feeling of winning - first of all winning the UWCL, I couldn't even begin to imagine what we would go on to do. But it's an exceptional feeling. You start to understand the importance with time, because when you're young, you have a lot of hunger, you want to quickly throw yourself into the next one. So you think differently. But as the years went by I learnt the importance of having a trophy like that, know the work which goes into it. Winning the UWCL five years in a row, you need something exceptional. But winning the first one, that's something I'll never forget because it really set the basis for all the work behind the scenes. I've never stopped since. I remember that it gave me an enormous desire to continue. And I think you can say it's also the image of the team, because I think it would have been impossible to win so many years in a row if there wasn't that collective desire to win.

Hegerberg: I understood pretty quickly that it was an exceptional team with world class players. You had different cultures from different nationalities which gave an advantage with a French core, you could say. Having all those different cultures, I think that's what really shaped the team. I'm also proud to have come when I was so young and to have been part of a such a grandiose history, and to feel that my contributions were on par with our success.

[2018 BALLON D'OR CEREMONY FOOTAGE]

Hegerberg: A big moment, a big moment for me personally but also for the club, the team. It rewards the work of a whole team. It's impossible to win the Ballon d'Or without having a team which shines. I think we had fantastic seasons which allowed me to win a Ballon d'Or. I think that the players know as well that it's thanks to the work of a whole team which allowed me to win the first Ballon d'Or.

Hegerberg: I remember at the time that I knew a few weeks beforehand. I was asking myself a ton of questions, "what do you even say on stage when you win the Ballon d'Or?" But it's true that even being a female athlete today, to be a woman in sports, it poses different challenges on several levels. [Female] football players are faced with challenges which aren't only on the field. And it requires a lot of courage to overcome those challenges as I call them so that the sport always goes in the right direction. You need to always be there to say "hey, hey, hey. Are the right decisions being made so that the next generation has their place in sports, in football?" I would say fortunately and unfortunately it's also our responsibility today to do in sort that we leave the sport in better conditions than when we found it in. You need women, you need girls who start to take up space and who believe in themselves even, who want to succeed, who really want to work hard to take our place one day, because we're not going to be here [in sports] our whole lives, even if I would like that to be the case. So it was for them, it was for the new generation, for everyone who was watching. It was for everyone.

Hegerberg: It's impossible to succeed without knowing your own qualities and to get better. Confidence in yourself is fundamental to succeed in life. To find that [self] confidence you also have to know what you do well, what your qualities are. And do the work. Before anything else put in the work. Success doesn't happen by itself.

[2019 UWCL FINAL FOOTAGE]

Hegerberg: I'm getting goosebumps. To score a hat trick in a UWCL final, honestly, it's one of the craziest moments in my life, in my career. It's something - It's - I can't describe it because it's - it's such an important game. You see the first goal, it's something that I have worked with with my father since I was very young. We did it over and over and over again. Sprint, maintain your speed at the same time as you control the ball well, which stays close to your feet so you can quickly get the shot off. We did that over and over again for years. So to manage to do that in a UWCL final and score a hat trick, it's, it's something incredible.

Hegerberg: In fact, in that period where we were dominating the Champions League, we were winning year after year after year. All the work we had to put into it, all the talent, team spirit, it's very, very rare, very special. I would almost say it's not talked about enough. [Hegerberg laughs] But that's sports as well. We quickly move on to the next thing. But what was done there, it was historical. From time to time, when we're in the off-season or in season, I watch those games because it brings something out in me, it gives me something for the future.

Hegerberg: I think my father was exceptional in the manner he observed the technical side. As time went by we got to understand each other. We always had one-hour sessions because we knew you needed an hour to really maintain your highest standards. If we went above one hour we would really work on the technical details but the quality would drop a little. So we stuck with that one hour session working on technique. And we repeated that all the time, even when I had Christmas break or summer break. Even when I came to Lyon, we still continued to work on it. And it's those small details that have allowed me to develop [as a player], and always see what the areas of improvement are in my game. And when I look back today at the goals I've scored, there are details that I've been working on with my dad since I was super young. He really gave me an advantage in my career. It's incredible.

[HEGERBERG'S FIRST LONGTERM INJURY -DEC 2019 - SEPT 2021]

[Rehab footage]

Hegerberg: I think that everyone goes through a difficult period in their career. You always hear the phrase "it's part of being a professional athlete, getting injured." Unfortunately. For me, I pretty much had an entire career with no injuries. So then I had a serious knee injury and then a stress fracture in the tibia, which was very difficult to manage. There was absolutely no knowledge of women's bodies in female sports. I came to the realization there was very little competence around women's health in general, in their bodies, especially in sports. I look back on that period with a lot of pride because I had to dig so, so deep to come back. I really proved that I was still a top player. You needed to have a lot of courage, good people around you. It never would have been possible without my family, without my husband. My husband was exceptional. My agents. My friends. Without them it wouldn't have been possible.

Hegerberg: I always believed that I would come back. It's pretty crazy, because there were so many low moments. But I knew how to bounce back, with a lot of hard work and determination. I'm not a really patient person. I'm very impatient. But I learnt things about my mentality and my body that I definitely use today. It's a period I would have liked to avoid but at the time it taught me things I never would have learnt otherwise.

Hegerberg: First of all injuries aren't easy. But first I was unlucky with the injury that I had. But I was very, very fortunate to have met the right medical staff at the right time, who you could say pulled me out of that hell. What I'm capable of doing today, I'm really proud because I know how far I've come. To have the courage and discipline to return to the top level, it's almost better than a trophy. Almost. Because it's behind me now. Mentally I'm in a really good place. I want to play my best football in the years to come. And I hope that will be the case.

[HEGERBERG'S FIRST GAME BACK FROM INJURY - OCT 5, 2021]

[Game footage]

[HEGERBERG'S FIRST GOAL SINCE RETURNING FROM INJURY - NOVEMBER 2021]

[Game footage against PSG, Lyon 6-1 PSG]

[Hegerberg thinks about smiling]

Hegerberg: It's nice. You could say I spent a lot of time visualizing it while I was out [injured] to be prepared for those moments. And you could say I had been waiting for that moment for a long time. I love everyone's reaction. I love Griedge [MBock]'s reaction as well because it's true that we came back - the two of us came back from serious injuries. And we showed everyone we were able to return to the top level even if - even if you had something serious. So it's really nice.

[OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS - BARCELONA 2022 UWCL FINAL]

[Game footage]

Hegerberg: Yes, it's incredible. It's difficult for me to describe tonight.

[present day: Hegerberg laughs hysterically]

Hegerberg: I have to give a shoutout to Griedge [MBock] as well. What we went through was every athlete's nightmare.

[present day: Hegerberg is still losing it]

Hegerberg: Don't you realize it? It's the eight Champions League trophy for the club. I keep saying this, but the president, what he's done for us, for football in general, I don't have any words. I have so much respect [for him]. [The trophy] is coming home, it's deserved.

[Present day: is Hegerberg still losing it? Answer: yes]

[2021 - 2022 LEAGUE TROPHY CEREMONY]

[Trophy ceremony footage]

Hegerberg: [into a microphone] Where is the Champagne? Where is it? Where is the Champagne?? We need the Champagne.

[Present day: Hegerberg loses it]

Hegerberg: And it's true that that night [of the UWCL final], it was total euphoria. I think it was one of the biggest nights in women's football because it was such a good final, the intensity, I've never experienced intensity like that. There was a sold-out stadium with a lot of fans, a lot of Barcelona supporters. There was a lot of - you can say there some misspoken statements before the final [cf: Caroline Graham Hansen, cf: general WoSo media] but us as players we're focused on what happens on the pitch. That's not a problem. But I think there were a lot of people who, before this game, forgot everything this club has accomplished. And what was nice was that were prepared for it. We knew what our qualities were before the game. But I think a reminder of who we are was necessary. Coming back in my first season post-injury and winning the UWCL, it's really touching. I had forgotten, it was almost psychological, and to have been rewarded with that trophy, it's - it's magical. It's one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Hegerberg: What we showed that day, it's unforgettable. It's an exceptional team. And [Hegerberg laughs] what a game. Honestly, what a final. I feel those emotions all over again when I rewatch the game. I think - Wendie [Renard] won't like this - I think I've watched the game 12 times. It's a really high level game. I think - when I say the intensity, the technical level, the quality you have on the field, the stakes which were at play. The stakes were - wow. And also to come back and prove that we were the best team in Europe. That's not done singlehandedly. There's a lot of work which goes into it. When I watch the film, I also see all the suffering behind the scenes and what we had to go through to get there.

Hegerberg: I was really emotional as well because at one point I saw Jean-Michel Aulas in the stands, our president for so many years. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. Thanks to him we were able to build a team which was without a doubt the best team in the world for so long. Personally I will never forget the chance he took on me, to have me play here for so long. He was a big, big figure in my career. I will never forget him. [Hegerberg tears up a little] I'd like to thank him because it was an unforgettable period. So I'd like to say a big thank you to Jean-Michel Aulas for my adventures, which has been going on for 10 years now.

[CONTRACT EXTENSION]

[Contract extension footage]

Hegerberg: Lyon is my home. I had to stay. It was in my head since the beginning. I said to my husband "I don't see myself anywhere else." It's true that it was the first time since I've been at Lyon that it took - it took a bit longer. But since the beginning I've always seen myself at Lyon. It's my town, it's my home.

Hegerberg: It's a new era with a real bad-ass woman, I would say. Michele Kang is very ambitious. I'd like to thank her as well for believing in me. You can feel that she's a very ambitious woman who wants to bring something more, who wants to change the dynamic a little bit in football in general, and who really wants to be at the top with this team. You need someone who is ambitious, who projects discipline, ambitions, investment - especially investment - in the ranks, and that that transmits to the team as well.

Hegerberg: I think there are things we have to go get. We still have some nice trophies to go win. We have a lot of potential. I want to continue playing my best football here.

Hegerberg: I came here as a young girl and I became a woman here. Lyon will always be my home even after my career ends. And here I am very, very happy to stay here another three years and to work hard to win several more trophies, UWCL, league. All the trophies possible. Because we have to go get them now. You have to give everything, and I'm ready to give everything for another three years for my club.

#all good love stories start in the rain #ada hegerberg

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redwineconversation · 7 days

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who is going to stop us from waltzing back into rekindled flames (Lyon - PSG Postgame Thoughts)

31 new Taylor Swift songs means plenty of lyrics to choose from as post titles! This is, after all, a Taylor Swift fan blog first and foremost.

Putting it under a read more because there is a lot to talk about.

For me this game had a definite parallel to the infamous 2018 UWCL final against Wolfsburg (a must watch game if there ever was such a thing).

There will be a lot of talk about mentality following this game, so, yeah, let's. Let's talk about Lyon's defense completely checking out of the game. There are no excuses for the first goal, where Carpenter seemed oblivious to one of PSG's top strikers lurking in the box. It's unacceptable for a defender at this level to have been so level. While I will concede she was off-balance when she tried to clear it, for me that still doesn't give her a pass. I expected better from her. I still do.

PSG's second goal came courtesy of Bacha doing everything in her power to play PSG onside. It was sloppy, careless and amateur at best, but also a reflection of how checked out Bacha has been both offensively and defensively for a majority of the season. Whatever is going with her needs to be sorted out.

Losing MBock to injury pretty much sums up Lyon's injury crisis in general. Bompastor said that she will undergo tests this week, which I took to mean definitely rules her out against EAG and most likely against PSG. While I do think that MBock is a better defender than Gilles, I also think that Gilles has proven herself in MBock's absence (except for that one super careless pass). Let's see Gilles in a super hostile stadium. This is what the big games are about.

Renard not even waiting for the team to be back in the locker room after the final whistle before chewing them out for that performance is why she is so respected as a leader and human being. She holds the team to standards that she knows they are able to live up to, and doesn't hesitate to remind them when they fail to do so. Accountability is important, and it starts with the team itself.

I found the midfield uninspiring. Damaris did her job, which is probably the only positive I can take away from it. Horan was disappointing. The shots were soft and her play lacked the bite necessary against PSG. She could and should have done better.

Not to sound like a broken record but lord knows the problems I have with Dumornay and they are going to stay until the showboating gets nipped in the bud. It was a good goal, not above giving credit where credit is due, but she had made so many bad decisions in the 84 minutes prior that I am somewhat perplexed why all of those got swept under the rug. This team is not the Melchie Dumornay Show.

Becho should not be starting at Lyon. Idk how many performances like today she has to put up before people understand that Lyon can either be a club focusing on developing young players or a club focused on winning the UWCL but cannot be both. She was drowning out there, Lyon massively improved once she was subbed off, but I guess it's okay because she scored a hat trick against a weak team and is young/has potential.

Welcome to Case of the Ex, Diani. Possibly the only noteworthy thing she did all game.

So that was the negatives, and yes, there were a lot. So what was the good?

Lyon's mentality, mainly. This team is a team who genuinely hates losing. I like how you can actually have a proper philosophical discussion about this hypothetical: is the only thing stronger than Lyon's desire to win their hatred of losing?

And part of that comes Lyon's experience. It's one of those things which I think gets overlooked a lot with this team. But the reality is Lyon has played in so, so many games that they have the experience to - usually - deal with what is happening in front of them. Majri was talking about it in the postgame, that Lyon's experience means both that they know how to handle their emotions: not to get overly excited once they've scored, and not to plummet into depression like a tortured poet if they concede.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next Sunday. Le Sommer and Dabritz are out for sure, if Hegerberg is there it will be on managed minutes, MBock I have doubts because we won't know until next week.

For now, it's a question of coasting on the adrenaline. Winning is fun. Winning is even more fun when it's against your biggest rival in front of almost 40,000 people.

#all good love stories start in the rain

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redwineconversation · 7 days

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Jk just forego a week’s pay and we can call it even.

Sell the entire backline.

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redwineconversation · 7 days

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Sell the entire backline.

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redwineconversation · 7 days

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OL - PSG HT Thoughts

Amateur defending. Carpenter should have done better. I concede she was off balance but it's unacceptable at this level. The entire defense was just so flustered in front of goal, as though they had never seen opponents in the box before.

I am so fucking tired of Dumornay's showboating.

Becho has been invisible but apparently that's fine because she is young / has potential / whatever excuse that people don't care about winning want to give. Apparently game time is more important than winning actual games.

Cascarino is the standout player of the half.

Dabritz is so badly missed.

The day we will be free of Bompastor's "tactics" is the day I will finally know peace.

#all good love stories start in the rain

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redwineconversation · 7 days

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Amateur defending from start to finish.

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redwineconversation · 9 days

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PSA

Blah blah Hegerberg extended blah blah OL - PSG blah blah we are soon rid of Bompastor.

This is still a Taylor Swift blog and foremost so y'all are going to have to DEAL and BOW DOWN with our lord and savior.

Only half joking because I am also kinda serious about it: I can tell within the first two lines of the lyrics whether she cowrote the song with Aaron Dessner or not. And those tells are pretty cool in itself.

#taylor swift

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redwineconversation · 10 days

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More later but even god has to bend the knee eventually.

#all good love stories start in the rain #ada hegerberg

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redwineconversation · 12 days

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ASSE - Olympique Lyonnais OLPlay Postgame Interviews

To the person who is going around on the LChat insisting that I post there to the point I AM GETTING ASKS ABOUT IT: get off my dick and GO FUCK YOURSELF. I have never and will never post on that godforsaken website. It pisses me off so much that it got to the point where I am getting people messaging me about it. What the actual FUCK is wrong with you you paranoid schizophrenic freak???? What kind of obsessive spiral are you on????? Seek medical help ASAP and leave me both the hell alone and the hell out of your deep and sincere mental trauma.

With that being said, here are the postgame interviews. Idk why I am translating this if some deranged lunatic who is in desperate need of being locked up will just accuse me of posting on that fucking awful website. If their intention is to stop the translations then they are definitely on their way to succeeding.

Standard disclaimers apply.

ASSE - OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

ALICE SOMBATH OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Journalist: It's good, you're smiling. The defensive line scored: Griedge [MBock], Wendie [Renard] for example. That must be reassuring for the upcoming clash [against PSG].

Sombath: Yeah, it's always reassuring to know that any player can score, especially the defenders. So we hope to have more players in defense who can score [@ Carpenter]. So we'll continue like that.

Journalist: Last question. PSG is next week. Does this game serve a little bit as preparation?

Sombath: In any case, every game that we have done are always good in terms of preparation, especially for games like the semifinal against Paris [Saint-Germain]. Then as I said, we will continue to prepare in the upcoming days so we will be properly prepared for that game.

Journalist: Thank you, Alice. Have a good evening.

Sombath: Have a good evening.

VICKI BECHO OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Journalist: Vicki, first of all congratulations on your hat trick. The team took this game seriously tonight. It's always important to win these derbies.

Becho: Yeah, honestly, for me it's my first derby. It was important for us to play a complete game, that we score, that we find our rhythm again because after returning from the international break it's never easy. But we did it tonight and I'm happy for the team.

Journalist: And what a game from you tonight. You played an incredible game and you scored three goals. Tell me a little about how you experienced this derby. I believe it was your first one, in the big stadium no less.

Becho: That's right, my first derby and honestly, yeah, I didn't think too much. I'm feeling good at the moment. So yeah you have to continue like that. When you're full of confidence it's a lot easier. When you take a shot, it goes in. You're more successful. So yeah, I'm really happy with my performances at the moment. And the most important thing is to continue like that.

Journalist: The young one is full of humility. [This was not said sarcastically] And one last question. Before the game against PSG, well you're scoring a lot of goals. I imagine that's important for your confidence.

Becho: Of course, it's important for my confidence. Today there were quite a few players who scored. So we're happy. Also we created a lot, we had two or three penalties. So those are things to keep in mind and we'll continue like that. We'll take away what we did good, what we can improve on so we can properly prepare for the game against Paris Saint-Germain.

Journalist: And for you, what was good and what can still be improved on? Last question, this time I mean it.

Becho: I think we created a lot of opportunities, really quite a few chances. After, we weren't often put under pressure but the only time when we were put under pressure, there was some confusion and we conceded a goal. So we need to fix those things and yeah. We need to continue like that. We have to create chances, we have to create chances. There were a lot of chances, so there were a lot of goals.

Journalist: You're leaving with the game ball I hope.

Becho: Yeah, that's it. We had to negotiate a little with the referees but I am leaving with the game ball.

Journalist: Have a good evening.

Becho: Thank you, you too,

SONIA BOMPASTOR OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

[Bompastor sounds super sick in this interview]

Journalist: Sonia, a serious game from your team this evening. It's always important to win these derbies.

Bompastor: Yes, yes, we wanted to continue our good streak in the league even if the first place is guaranteed. We wanted to use this game as a good preparation game ahead of the upcoming matches. There's a big clash as soon as next week where we are playing Paris [Saint-Germain]. They're a really good team, we know it's going to be a completely different game, very difficult. But we've prepared well and we will arrive full of confidence and serenity [I will be neither confident nor serene].

Journalist: We created a lot of chances tonight. The team was very efficient, they scored a lot of goals despite that goal they conceded. As you said, it's a good preparation game nonetheless before Paris [Saint-Germain].

Bompastor: Yes, yes. There's a lot to be satisfied about, a lot of things which worked well tonight. Those are things we will need to build on ahead of the games coming up towards the end of the season. In any case for the game itself it really fell in line with our expectations both for individual players and as a team. There were no injuries. We're preparing ourselves in the best conditions.

Journalist: And you have a lot of players scoring, that's good for what's coming up.

Bompastor: Yes, as I was saying, individually you have Vicki [Becho] who scores a hat trick, so she is continuing build off her good performances. We also saw a lot of players stand out in a positive way. So it helped the confidence of the individual players but also the team as a whole.

Journalist: Thank you, Sonia. Good game. Good derby.

Bompastor: Thank you.

#all good love stories start in the rain #alice sombath #vicki becho #sonia bompastor #get some serious mental help. preferably the hell away from me.

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redwineconversation · 13 days

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I wish I could un-recall how we almost had it all (ASSE - Lyon Postgame Thoughts)

I think these games are actually really hard to get a read on how a player is really doing, because there is such a disparity between the two teams. It's also why I am reluctant to really call this a rivalry. It's not really one, not when it is so one-sided, not with the gulf between them. ASSE doesn't have Lyon's players or budget or means, so to pretend it's even a fair fight to begin with - it's not, it's just not.

It's hard to measure Lyon's performance because ASSE was in the second division last season, and are back again this year. ASSE have constantly flirted in recent seasons between being promoted to the first division and the second, whereas Lyon has only had to find themselves in competition with PSG for the leader position. They're just not at the same level.

It's a bit of my bone to pick, too, like when people pretend that Barcelona (W) and RM (W) is a Clasico. Sure, in theory, but realistically it's not. It can't be a rivalry when it's so one-sided. There's perhaps a bit more bad blood between Barcelona and RM than there is between Lyon and ASSE, with the latter feeling performative at best. It's PSG who brings out Lyon's genuine dislike of a team, not ASSE.

So what did we learn? That some players perform well against mediocre teams. So what? It doesn't really tell us how they will do against bigger teams, against better oppositions, in tougher circumstances.

Okay, so Becho scored a hat trick. Cool. ASSE was still playing in the second division last season, so it's not telling me she will step up against actual position. Okay, Marozsan defied the odds and lumbered up and down the pitch for 90 minutes. I still think she's one of the players we should cut loose. Same with Majri, except she also has the distinction of having been slightly worse than Marozsan.

As much I want to rip into the players I've just mentioned, they weren't the worse ones on the pitch. For me, that was Endler. That kind of mistake was amateur at best. I don't care if it's only goal Lyon conceded in the game, it should not have been conceded at all. You cannot use the argument of miscommunication with Renard when they have been playing together for a while now. This wasn't some new pairing. Endler has no excuse for conceding that.

I think the finishing could have been better, but again, it was against such a lower caliber team that it's hard to say anything more than "it should have been better." It's not like it was a stellar defense in front of them, it's just the choices the forwards were making were bad. Would it have been more costly against a better team? Probably.

We avoided major injuries and can now look forward to the stress of a UWCL semifinal against PSG. Now that's a proper rivalry, and will be more telling about which players are capable of stepping up when necessary.

#all good love stories start in the rain

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redwineconversation · 17 days

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Finally free!!! Good fucking riddance, hope your hand gets caught in the door as it is slammed behind you.

@pedros @lair pls come home, I want my team to remember what it’s like to be killers.

#all good love stories start in the rain #sonia bompastor

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redwineconversation · 23 days

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Olympique Lyonnais - Le Havre OLPlay Postgame Interviews

Better late than never, but some of us have full time jobs and can't be chronically online.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms Dept it's cold I need my Starbucks to stay alive; banning stans from stadiums would solve a lot of problems real quick; can Bompastor also take this "journalist" aka academy director with her when she fucks off to Chelsea; y'all know the speech by now.

@Timothee Piron @Coralie Ducher feel like pure shit just want you back. xx

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

WENDIE RENARD OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Renard: On a personal level it was important to get significant playing time, especially against a team where you can't really hold back. You have to react immediately. So it was important for me in particular. Then as a team it was important for us to really start the game well, to be able to really be on the same wavelength. There was some good, there was some less good. I think that we - the fact that - even if I don't think it was a goal, the first one, but in any case the referee gave it and I think it was good for us. And we were able to create more chances after that and get a greater advantage right before half time. The second half was a bit stagnant I find. We were far from each other. There were too many technical errors. But overall, there are a lot of players who are playing consecutive games, obviously there's a bit of fatigue. It was important for us to win before leaving for the international break, and also to get a big win at that. We did that.

"Journalist": We were saying how the month of March was pretty packed. The international break is coming up as well, it will be a good opportunity to have a change of scenery, and maybe come back refreshed. [news to all teams who are going through Euro qualifiers]

Renard: Yes, I agree, even if there is obviously some tiredness. It's always interesting to meet up with another group. There's also other instructions, other expectations, from the national coaches. But beyond that, March was a difficult month. We used up a lot of energy in the games.. Here pretty much everyone is meeting up with their national teams. And we have an end of the season which is coming up really quickly. It will be up to us to be properly prepared for it. But we have the team to do it. We have the players to do it. Now it's up to us to put forth our qualities from the start of the game. We need to know what we want. And if we want to win, we need to put things in place for it to happen.

"Journalist": Thank you, Wendie.

PERLE MORRONI OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

"Journalist": Yes, Perle. Another win. It's always hard to play against teams with a low block.

Morroni: Always difficult even if we're used to it now. Teams often try to trap us into it, to keep a low block and play on a counter. But now we're used to it so we know what we need to do in terms of tactics to counter it. We did our job. We were able to get on the scoreboard, it did us some good. And 3-0, that's a good score.

"Journalist": It's a good score. It's the same score from the PSG game today against Dijon. And there's a pretty exciting second part coming up in April, with the semifinals, with a derby. Some exciting games to play.

Morroni: Yeah, we're getting to the heart of the matter. For the league, I think we just need one or two more wins to finish first. But we're getting to the part of the schedule where we're playing the games we like to play, there's intensity, there's a bit of everything. It's really the top level games. And it's going to be in nice stadiums as well. So it's going to be - that's what we're waiting for, that's what we're working for. And we'll be ready when the day comes.

"Journalist": Thank you, Perle.

SONIA BOMPASTOR OLPLAY POSTGAME INTERVIEW

"Journalist": All the crew at OLPlay are thanking for your professionalism after having thanked all the journalists before coming over for our interview and - [Bompastor laughs] no, no, they're really thanking you. It's good, it's good.

Bompastor: That's really nice of them. I'd like to thank you as well. I'm sorry I left you for last. I made you wait.

"Journalist": It's not a big deal. Just - it's always difficult to play against a low block. We saw it in the first 30 minutes, with the goal - well. It wasn't a goal. [Bompastor nods in agreement] But it's always hard to play against a low block.

Bompastor: Yes. We know that in that context, we know we need to be very efficient in the choices we make, first of all, and also very good in terms of technical efficiency. So I think in the first half I had to adjust in how we were using the ball. I felt that the outside backs needed to be a little bit higher, that would allow the midfield to drop in and be better in the middle. Then I insisted a lot on the combination play, especially out wide, the one-twos, the overlapping runs, or the one-two-three passes for letting players get behind the defense. So it was a game where we were able to work on those scenarios. And indeed sometimes the context is difficult because there is little space, but we need to be better with the quality of the players we have.

"Journalist": In the second half we saw get the center backs more involved so the pace would pick up a bit and quicker transitions.

Bompastor: Yeah, yeah. When you're against low blocks, in order to break it down and create space, you need to play it simple, move the ball a lot with few touches, and have technical qualities as well. But it's especially in the orientation when we release the ball, we need to make the right choices, not force it when it's closed off on one side, be able to switch it to the other side. I also asked the players that as soon as we made a pass between the lines, for the defense to push up as well. That would keep us close and create some good combination play. So yeah, on the one hand, even if we win 3-0 there are still things which can impact the game. So I try to play that role.

"Journalist": We're heading into an exciting month of April. There's an international break, no players recently injured [well we know who to blame for the Dabritz injury]. It's also an exciting month of April with derbies, there are good games to be played.

Bompastor: Yeah, yeah. First it's the international break, I think that will be good for everyone to have a change of scenery, get a bit of a breather. It'll be important to come back recharged because as we just said, April and May will be very intense months and especially decisive. There are decisive games, there's the Champions League, there's the league and notably the playoffs. So we will have to be in great form. And especially there will be interesting games to play when you're a professional athlete.

"Journalist": There's especially that semifinal against PSG. They're obviously a team we know by heart, who also won 3-0 this afternoon, so similar scoreline. That semifinal must be at the back of your head.

Bompastor: Yeah, of course. In any case we don't have a lot of games left between now and the end of the season. I hope we'll go all the way. That means we will have eight games left to play. So we're in the final stretch, the money time as the expression goes. Indeed, the UWCL semifinals against Paris [Saint-Germain], those are the games we want to play. They're an opponent we know really well. It will be a good game. It's a really good match-up because I think the PSG team looks completely different than they did at the beginning of the season. So we're looking forward to it because we know those are good games to play.

"Journalist": First leg at home, second leg away. Does it work for you? It was like that two years ago.

Bompastor: Yeah, exactly. We had this same scenario two years ago. So yeah, I think the first leg can already be decisive. So playing at home is a good thing for us. Beyond that, we have experience playing away games in a hostile environment. In any case we loved the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes two years ago with 44,000 people who really made themselves heard. And when the result is there as well at the end of the game, you remember those moments. So we'll do everything to experience those emotions again.

"Journalist": Before that, there's a quick derby to win.

Bompastor: Yeah, of course. It's true there's that game against ASSE. Yeah, I'm happy. I said it before, I'm happy that ASSE got promoted to the D1 Arkema. They avoided relegation this year. So it's always a special moment in the season, playing these derbies. And we also have the honor of playing in the big stadium, so that's pretty rare it must be said. I think it's Sunday at 9pm. So we're looking forward to that as well.

"Journalist": Thank you, Sonia.

#all good love stories start in the rain #wendie renard #perle morroni #sonia bompastor

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redwineconversation · 25 days

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Olympique Lyonnais Behind the Scenes (Episode 6)

Kind of like last month's segment, I didn't want to do this one either because of how annoying fucking stans are. They genuinely make me want to not translate / transcribe things because they have an inability to just take a step back and act like a normal human being / football fan. However, I also want [normal?] people to get to a point where they can understand this team the way I do, so it leads us to this: me screaming into the void at how much I hate stans overstepping boundaries while I translate a genuine cause of sleep paralysis.

Again, I feel this would be simpler if OLPlay would let one screen record and my technology skills were better, but here we are. Can't have everything in life.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms Dept either chip in for Starbucks or a bottle of wine, I'm cool with either option; banning stans from stadiums would make the sport a better place; what won't I do to put off vacuuming? Apparently not much; y'all know the speech by now.

Come for Cascarino being unable to hide her Lyon DNA, stay for Becho's admiration of the likable red team. Love a team who literally recoils in horror at the thought of being seen as human. It's not that Lyon creates monsters, they honestly don't. The players were already monsters before they signed for Lyon, the only thing Lyon did was take the muzzle off.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS BEHIND THE SCENES (EPISODE 6)

[LYON -SLAVIA PRAGUE GAME FOOTAGE]

Danielle van de Donk: We had a draw against Slavia Prague at home as well. It was a bit frustrating, it was just not nice for us because we wanted to get into a nice flow.

Vicki Becho: It's not the kind of performance we want to do, it's not the kind of result we want. So it was disappointing for us, for our fans. It's the type of performance we have to keep in mind to tell ourselves there are still lots of things to work on, and that we have to do much more.

[OPENING SEQUENCE]

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE]

Delphine Cascarino: After the draw against Slavia Prague, we wanted to do much better, and then we played against Reims. There was good content in the game.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

Becho: I was really happy for Euge[nie Le Sommer] because she was going through a complicated period and that she scored, I was really, really happy for her. I remember Eugenie's brace because I provided the assist on one of her goals. Having playing time again, getting some minutes under my belt, it was the best of things. And in that game, when I provided the assist, I'm happy. That's what I take away from it. Beyond that, I told myself that I can do much better and those are just the kind of performances I should keep in mind to do even more.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

van de Donk: Eugenie [Le Sommer] scored her 300th goal, so that was amazing for her. And I saw the people in the stands with the little paper going up. Everyone on the bench was asking what that was for, I think it was Laura [Benkarth] and I explained to her that she [Le Sommer] had 300 goals for Lyon, which is just amazing. It's great, they're so much more up to date than I am. They're actually very helpful.

Cascarino: Obviously - obviously we were happy for Eugenie [Le Sommer] because she deserves that status of top scorer for Olympique Lyonnais. And yeah, I hope she will score many more. It's quite frankly exceptional for her and the club. It shows that she's really a club legend.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

Cascarino: There was a good context within the game. However we conceded a goal, so that was - that was a negative.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

Cascarino: Conceding a goal is never easy, be it for the goalkeeper or even for the forwards. We owe it to ourselves at Olympique Lyonnais to not concede any goals.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

Becho: We won, but it remains super frustrating because we've been conceding quite a lot lately. At the beginning of the season we weren't conceding at all. Lately we've been conceding more. We need to do better. We know our previous performances haven't been that good, we need to do better in terms of defense, and offensively we need to do much better.

[LYON - STADE DE REIMS GAME FOOTAGE CONT'D]

Becho: At the end of the game, when I saw Eugenie, I said to her "Another one? Another record? How am I supposed to catch up to you?" [Becho laughs. I don't] No, I really like to tease Eugenie. I'm really happy for her. She leaves such a big imprint at Lyon and even in French women's football, and global women's football. And I know that for many girls, she's a role model.

van de Donk: After the game, in the locker room, we celebrated of course with the song and everything. We did a little bit extra for Eugenie [Le Sommer], of course, because it's just amazing to achieve that.

[TRAINING FOOTAGE]

[UWCL DRAW FOOTAGE]

Cascarino: So there was the possibility between Benfica, Ajax and Hacken. We landed on Benfica, who is a really good team. So yeah, we know it won't be easy. They drew 4-4 against Barcelona. So we're expecting a really good opponent.

Becho: They can cause problems for us, so we will need to avoid falling into their trap. We'll need to play really good football to get past them. I would have liked to have played against Ajax, I see what they're doing this season and honestly it's incredible. They manage to sell out their stadium, they're doing a lot of things. So they're a really good team that I wanted to play against. In any case, to win this competition we have to beat the best.

van de Donk: I do think Benfica is like very tricky, they're all very technical players. I feel it's just like the Portuguese team. As we experienced it lately with the Netherlands, they're quite hard. But yeah, I'm just very excited. I mean, they're kind of my style of football so I love to see them play, now I have to play against them. They want to keep possession all the time, they have all the skills. It's just going to be frustrating, but we're just not going to have to bite, you know. And then get them when they're the most - I don't know how you say it - when they're the most vulnerable?

van de Donk: The thing is, when you build it from the back, that's kind of my quality, coming out with the press[ing]. I know when to go, so when people do it, it's fine for me. But I do think that Lyon has a good press. It's kind of our game.

[MICHELE KANG FOOTAGE]

Cascarino: Honestly, it was positive than it ended - that it became official, but unofficially we knew that the club had been sold to Michele Kang, so it was just formalities that needed to be sorted out. Now it's done and we can move forward with peace of mind.

Becho: We talked about it a lot. We heard a lot of people talking about it as well. But as long as it wasn't done, we couldn't look ahead as much as we can now. And now we have peace of mind. We know there is someone there for us, we know there is someone who wants us to have the best possible conditions. We know our future is set, so there aren't any worries in that regard. We're very happy on our side.

Becho: She hadn't even officially taken over her role and she was already doing a lot for us. We saw the number of staff members increase. A lot of things changed. For the better, but with the caveat President Aulas had already done an enormous amount for us. Knowing there will be this person going forward, it was reassuring for us.

Cascarino: Since Michele Kang's arrival, there has been a lot of positive changes. There's almost as many staff members as there are players. So it shows we're becoming even more professional. We're getting even closer to what is done for the men's teams. So it's really positive for Olympique Lyonnais. In every area, whether it's nutrition, fitness preparation, psychology, mental health, in every area, if there's any doubt then we have someone we can ask questions to. It really helps us to reach the highest level.

van de Donk: We were kept up to date with how the process was going with Michele [Kang] buying our side, of course. Because as soon as she stepped foot in our changing room, when I met her, I was blown away by her. I think she's amazing. She's going to do very, very good stuff for women's football. So yeah, I'm a big fan, not going to lie. When I heard it was done, it was just a nice feeling. I think we're in good hands.

van de Donk: She's so involved with the women's side. She was already making so many changes for us. You can tell that she wants things to be better and bigger, which is really nice for the next steps of professionalism in women's football. When it was all done, because everything in France takes a while I think, I think it was very good. I was very happy.

[TRAINING FOOTAGE]

Becho: You're not allowed to lose a Lyon - PSG game. You're not allowed to lose. Those are the types of games we like to play, those are the types of games we want to play.

Cascarino: We know that PSG knows us by heart, we know them by heart. So it really comes down to tactics to win the game. We worked really hard in preparation for PSG. We worked really, really hard on tactics that week.

van de Donk: Every time we play against PSG, it's just - it's wild. I think everyone goes into a different mindset. I think everyone is just a little bit more focused because the rivalry, it's just amazing. It's just a different kind of level, everyone just really wanted to beat them.

van de Donk: Before the big games, we do a lot of tactical training during training sessions [news to anyone who has watched Bompastor coach recently]. It's not necessarily my favorite part of training sessions, but I like all the small stuff, all the small games, the technical stuff. But I do think we need all the tactical stuff. But it was good. You can taste what kind of game you're going to play or something. It's hard to describe how it is if you're not a player yourself. But normally you have a whole week to prepare. So the beginning of the week it's a bit more chill, a bit more jokey, we can have a bit more of a laugh during training. But before PSG it's just not like that, everyone is focused, "we need to get this and go."

[LYON - PSG GAME FOOTAGE]

Cascarino: It was a pretty close game, pretty difficult.

Becho: We started the game off well. We started really strong, we managed to press pretty high, we're in their half. We had chances.