As the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final kicks off, Arsenal welcomes Lyon to the Emirates Stadium for the highly anticipated first leg on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Both teams boast rich histories in European competition, with Lyon aiming for their twelfth victory in fourteen semi-final appearances, while Arsenal seeks their first final since 2007.
The match is set to start at 13:30 CET, and both teams have their eyes firmly set on the prestigious trophy. Lyon, the perennial favorites, hold a slight edge according to the Opta supercomputer, which gives them a 37.3% chance of winning, compared to Arsenal’s 36.5%. A draw is considered less likely, with only a 26.2% chance of that outcome, as Lyon has not drawn any of their last 28 matches in this competition.
Arsenal aims to end a streak of four consecutive semi-final eliminations, having only won one of their last fourteen matches at this stage of the Champions League. The Gunners' lone victory came in their memorable 2006-07 campaign when they lifted the trophy. Since then, they have struggled against Lyon, winning just one of their six encounters in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (D1 L4).
Under the guidance of coach Renée Slegers, who took over after a challenging start to the season, Arsenal has transformed into one of Europe’s most in-form teams. They have earned the most points in the Women’s Super League since November 2024, with 40 points from 14 matches. Their recent form includes a resounding 5-1 victory over Leicester City just days before the semi-final.
On the other hand, Lyon, under former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro, has also been in excellent form, securing the top spot in the French Première Ligue. They recently finished their league campaign strongly, including a 4-0 win over Fleury, and are positioned as the top seed for the play-offs.
In terms of statistics, Arsenal ranks second in possession (62.6%) and open-play sequences with 10 or more passes (149) in this season's Champions League. However, Lyon boasts a higher field tilt (79.0%), indicating their ability to dominate play and pressure opponents effectively. Lyon has recorded the most high turnovers per game (19.8) and the highest number of shot-ending high turnovers (3.6), showcasing their aggressive approach.
Defensively, Lyon has been nearly impenetrable, keeping the most clean sheets (6) and conceding the fewest goals (2) in the tournament. Their goalkeeper, Christiane Endler, has faced only 11 shots on target, reflecting their strong defensive organization.
Star players will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Arsenal’s Alessia Russo is in stellar form, having scored six goals in this season’s Champions League, the most by any English player in a single edition since records began in 2009-10. Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly has been a key playmaker, contributing six assists in her last nine appearances.
For Lyon, the attacking prowess of Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, and Tabitha Chawinga will be pivotal. Diani has been involved in the most goals of any player this season, with five goals and four assists, while Dumornay has directly contributed to 11 goals in her 12 matches.
Both teams have a rich history of competition, with Lyon eliminating Arsenal in the 2007-08 quarter-finals and again defeating them in the 2010-11 semi-finals. The last meeting between the two sides was in the 2022-23 group stage, where Arsenal handed Lyon their heaviest defeat in the competition, a staggering 5-1 victory at home.
As the teams prepare to clash, the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium is expected to be electric, with Arsenal fans eager to support their team in this critical encounter. The stakes are high, and both managers have expressed their respect for each other’s squads.
Renée Slegers acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, "I think they are very strong opposition. Huge respect for them as a team and individual players and the coach, of course. We want to embrace the challenge." Meanwhile, Joe Montemurro praised Arsenal’s growth in women’s football, stating, "[Arsenal] deserve to be at the top end of this great competition. Their supporter base and the way they’ve elevated women’s football not only in the UK but also in Europe has been quite special. We expect it to be an amazing atmosphere, and that’s where we will just have to focus on our football."
With such a storied rivalry and the stakes at an all-time high, fans can expect a thrilling match. The second leg will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at OL Stadium in Décines, where the outcome of this semi-final tie will be decided.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a captivating clash between two of Europe’s elite women’s football clubs. Will Arsenal rise to the occasion and overcome their historical struggles against Lyon, or will the French side continue their dominance in this prestigious tournament? Only time will tell as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24, 2025.
