Lyon celebrated a commanding 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals held on March 18, 2025. With goals from Chawinga and Dumornay, the French side set a firm footing as they aim for their first title since 2022.
The match commenced at FC Bayern Campus at 21:00 CET and was officiated by Spanish referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo. Despite Bayern Munich's hopes of leveraging their home advantage, Lyon quickly demonstrated their elite performance. Chawinga struck first in the 35th minute, followed by Dumornay in the 65th, giving Lyon a comfortable two-goal lead.
As the final minutes ticked away, Lyon’s Majri had a notable opportunity to increase their advantage with a shot that was blocked by Bayern's Eriksson in the 90+2 minute. This crucial save highlighted Bayern’s determination to stay in the match.
On reflecting on the game, coach Joe Montemurro expressed satisfaction with his team's performance. With several players returning from rest, including Vanessa Gilles, Sofie Svava, and Amel Majri, the squad appeared nearly complete, with only Daniëlle Van de Donk missing due to an ongoing foot injury.
The victory places Lyon in a strong position ahead of the decisive second leg, scheduled for March 26, where they will hope to secure their place in the semifinals. With one of the best defenses in the competition this season, having only conceded one goal in seven matches, Lyon is looking formidable. They also boast the third-best attack in the tournament with 21 goals, trailing only Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Moreover, Eugénie Le Sommer achieved a personal milestone by making her 100th Champions League appearance during this match, solidifying her status as one of the competition’s most experienced players. She stands behind only Alex Popp and Wendie Renard in terms of appearances.
In anticipation of the return leg against Bayern, Lyon also has their league match against Saint-Etienne on March 22, 2025. This adds to the momentum as they continue their quest for glory not only in domestic fixtures but also on the European stage.
The competitive spirit of Bayern Munich shouldn’t be underestimated. The German side is also performing well domestically and has set their sights on advancing far in the Champions League. They are currently leading the Bundesliga but must regroup in time for the second leg if they are to reverse this deficit.
Overall, Lyon's decisive win is a promising sign for their campaign, as they look to extend their lead in the Champions League and seek redemption after previous seasons before capturing the coveted title once again. With confidence high and a focused squad, the stakes could not be higher for the upcoming fixtures.
