As Lyon women’s football team prepared for their upcoming Première Ligue finale against Paris FC, players and staff opened up about the lingering disappointment from their recent UEFA Champions League defeat. The mood in the camp was a mix of frustration, raw emotion, and a shared determination to move forward.
voices from the dressing room: raw honesty and resolve
Wendie Renard, the team’s captain and a towering figure both on and off the field, admitted the loss still weighed heavily on her. Speaking with a mix of honesty and professionalism, she described the emotional toll the defeat had taken: “Of course it’s been incredibly tough. We’re professionals, and we have to keep going. What’s done is done.” Renard, who carries the weight of captaincy, also reflected on the collective disappointment felt by the entire squad: “I’m captain, but every single one of us is disappointed with how the final turned out.” Despite the heartbreak, she voiced a clear ambition for the team: “We’re hurting right now, but our only focus is to bounce back stronger and faster.”
Jonatan Giráldez, the team’s Spanish head coach, echoed similar sentiments. He described the immediate aftermath as a period of deep introspection and emotional strain for the group. “The first few days were tough—we’d prepared so hard to win, and the result left us stunned.” While acknowledging the result, Giráldez remained firm in his belief that Lyon deserved better: “I don’t think the score reflected the true nature of the match.” He emphasized the psychological battle the team now faces, stressing the need to regain mental strength within days: “It’s natural to feel the weight of defeat, but we have to fight back after 48 to 72 hours.”
Lindsey Horan, an American midfielder nearing the end of her Lyon chapter, shared a deeply personal perspective. The final in Oslo left her visibly emotional, and her words carried both sadness and gratitude. “It’s incredibly hard to process.” Despite the heartbreak, she refused to let one match define her season: “I don’t regret a single moment of this year.” With her emotional connection to the club and teammates palpable, she expressed a heartfelt hope to end her Lyon journey with one last domestic trophy in front of the home crowd.
looking ahead: redemption in the domestic league
With the Champions League dream shattered in extra time, the Lyon women’s team is now turning its focus toward salvaging a successful end to the season. Their sights are set on securing another national title, a chance to lift the trophy and restore pride before the summer break.
