The new Arkema Première Ligue (APL) is underway. OL Lyonnes stuck to old habits, while contenders Paris FC and Paris Saint-Germain also got their campaigns off to a good start.
Here’s how the opening weekend of action unfolded.
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OL Lyonnes cruise past Fleury
Year after year, French teams reluctantly anticipate their games against Lyon. You never know when the reigning champions are ready to put on a show. They did not wait long this time with a ruthless 7-1 win at Fleury to open the season.
At the heart of it all: Melchie Dumornay. Lyon’s technical leader was everywhere she was supposed to be, driving the game forward and bagging a hat-trick. The Haitian star was instrumental in Lyon heading into halftime with a 6-1 lead.
As the Fenottes eased past the hosts’ defence, Jule Brand proved to be a resourceful partner on the left flank. The Germany international delivered three assists, including two for Dumornay, while her corner kick found Tarciane for Lyon’s opener.
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Honourable mentions go to Vicki Becho, forcing an own goal before adding one herself, as well as midfield strategists Damaris Egurrola and Julie Swierot. The latter wrapped things up by netting a stunning long-range strike after coming off the bench.
Clean starts for both Parisian sides
PSG did not have to put in much effort to secure their first win of the season. Following their promising UWCL qualification against Frankfurt earlier in the week, Paulo César rotated his starting XI as they travelled to Lens.
Rasheedat Ajibade took this opportunity to shine. The Nigeria international scored in the early minutes and led most of PSG’s attacks. An own goal sealed a hardly spectacular 2-0 victory for the Parisians. Saved from relegation last campaign due to Dijon’s collapse, Lens fear this season might be a long, painful journey.
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Last season’s finalists Paris FC also handled a promising start against a disappointing side of Nantes. After sneaking into the top four last campaign, the Canaris’ ambitions have dropped following a massive exodus this summer.
Ecuadorian defender Manoly Baquerizo’s header opened her account on her debut, while playmaker Clara Mateo, always so sharp in attacking phases, forced an own goal to seal a 2-0 home win for Paris FC.
Marseille finally mean business despite tough challenge
You can count on Les Marseillaises this season. Following a major overhaul this summer, the Olympiennes welcomed thirteen fresh faces, including French internationals Claire Lavogez from Real Sociedad and Julie Thibaud from Leicester City.
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Several additions arrived from Nantes following the appointment of former Canaris coach Nicolas Chabot. The 31-year-old tactician guided the club to a surprise qualification for the end-of-season playoffs last season.
The Nantes influence was clear from the start against Le Havre. Marseille took the lead after 30 minutes thanks to perfectly executed linkups finished by Nelly Da Cruz Rodrigues and assisted by Maureen Cosson, both former Canaris players.
Le Havre did rise to the challenge though. Keeper Emily Burns was saved by the crossbar after Maïté Boucly’s instinctive lob from the halfway line, while Kedie Johnson was unstoppable down the left.
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The Trinidadian fullback almost levelled it late, but her long-range effort was heroically saved by the Canadian international goalkeeper. Definitely a reassuring team performance for the Normandy-based side expected to fight relegation this season.
Montpellier show no mercy, Strasbourg resist a comeback
Strasbourg and Montpellier, both aiming for top half finishes, claimed their three points in different ways. New Strasbourg playmaker Kristin Kögel, crossing the border from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, was involved in all three as her side built a three-goal lead.
But the Alsaciennes had to resist a Saint-Malo comeback launched by Mama Diop’s long-distance lob. The home team held on to the smallest of margins with a 3-2 win at home against the new APL side.
For Montpellier, the home win was remarkable against Toulouse, the other promoted side. The Pailladines crushed all hopes for the Violettes in only one half with a five-goal lead before the visitors could finally get one back from a late penalty.
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A brace from Aïrine Fontaine, a mid-range lob from Natalia Oleszkiewicz, the Turkish league’s top scorer last season, and goals from teenagers Anna-Rose Humbert and Bouchra Kharafi filled the scoreboard. And working in the shadows of the 5-1 victory was Adja Binaté, the promising 23-year-old box-to-box architect.
Match-day 2 preview: OL Lyonnes host Paris FC in season’s first clash
The next round of APL will be played on 11-12 September. Eyes will be turning to OL Lyonnes hosting Paris FC in the first big matchup of the season. PSG facing Strasbourg will also be intriguing in a possibly balanced head-to-head.
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