Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, the dominant force in European women's football, has issued a stark and ambitious declaration for the season: winning the UEFA Women's Champions League is an absolute necessity. After the disappointment of last season's semi-final exit, the French giants are on a singular mission to reclaim the continent's top prize.
The Unfinished Business of European Domination
Manager Sonia Bompastor, who led the team to a domestic double last term, has left no room for ambiguity regarding the club's primary objective. The sentiment within the squad is one of unfinished business, a burning desire to restore Lyon's name to the pinnacle of European competition. This drive follows a painful 3-2 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Barcelona in last season's final four, a result that still stings.
The club's president, Michele Kang, has fully endorsed this uncompromising vision. Kang, who also owns the Washington Spirit, is building a multi-club model designed to foster talent and sustain success at the highest level. Her investment and strategic outlook are central to Lyon's renewed assault on Europe, providing the resources and stability needed for such a lofty goal.
A Squad Reforged for the Ultimate Challenge
To achieve this, Lyon have been active in the transfer market, strategically strengthening an already formidable squad. Key arrivals include the highly-rated 19-year-old German midfielder Sydney Lohmann, signed from Bayern Munich, and experienced French defender Maëlle Lakrar from Montpellier. These signings add depth, quality, and a blend of youthful promise with proven pedigree.
They join a star-studded roster featuring global icons like Ada Hegerberg, Wendie Renard, and Lindsey Horan. The blend of legendary experience and exciting new talent creates a potent mix, one that Bompastor believes is tailored for the intense demands of a Champions League campaign. The focus is not just on individual brilliance but on building a cohesive unit capable of overcoming the very best.
The Road to Redemption and a New Era
The path to glory is already underway. Lyon navigated their Champions League qualifying round successfully, setting the stage for another gruelling campaign. The message from the Groupama OL Training Center is clear: domestic dominance, while expected, is not enough. The true measure of success for this institution is on the European stage.
This pursuit represents more than just winning another trophy. It is about reasserting Lyon's identity as the defining club of the modern women's game. With a clear mandate from the manager, backing from ambitious ownership, and a squad brimming with talent and motivation, Olympique Lyonnais Feminin is single-mindedly plotting its reconquest of Europe. For Bompastor and her players, anything less than lifting the Champions League trophy will be considered a failure this season.
