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nevermind, okay, don't mean it plus you've changed (Lyon - Arsenal Postgame Thoughts)

This is not a fun write up.

When Arsenal beat Lyon 5-1 back in October 2022, the result was understandable and "acceptable" because Lyon was crippled by injury. That wasn't their strongest lineup, so Lyon was always going to suffer. I hate that defeat, but I understand why and how it happened.

This loss, however, is absolutely inexcusable. These are players who have been through in so many of these situations before that the absolute collapse defies reality. They know better. They have played these types of games before. This is not the first UWCL semifinal they have ever played.

There's a lot of blame going around but the main one should be with Gilles. She is responsible for three out of the four goals. It's outrageous considering how good she was for the past however months and seasons. I don't know how much if it has to do with the contract negotiation but Jesus. Fucking. Christ. I'm sorry the love of your life doesn't love you back, I am. I know that must suck. But Jesus Christ do better. Be better.

No one played well. Obviously Gilles was the worse, but across the board, no one was good. And that’s so unbelievably frustrating. The roster had Olympic gold medalists, World Cup winners, Euros winners, etc. I can excuse the amateurish performance from October 2022 because the players were, well, amateurs. Today’s team should have known better. Instead they put on a performance so catastrophic even grief porn enthusiasts would look away a bit uncomfortably.

I’m angry at the team because honestly, they bang on and on about how much they want bigger crowds, how they want to play in sold out stadiums and then they go and put on this absolute disaster performance. Imagine if today’s game was the first time you ever saw Lyon play. Would you go back? I sure as hell wouldn’t.

Fan support is not given, it’s earned. If you want me to spend money on jerseys or go to games or whatever then there needs to be something in it for me. I need to want this. I need it to be worth my while. The only thing today’s game did for me was desperately wish I could Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind my way out of this team. Please, Lacuna, save me. Spare me from all past and future miseries this team will cause me.

Where do we go from here? Truthfully, I don’t know. Based on Ponsot’s interview Montemurro’s job security is no more and I think rests in large part on whether or not Lyon wins the playoffs. If they don’t, he is definitely gone. If they win, I still think it’s a soft 50-50 he keeps his job.

Ponsot said there will be “consequences” for both staff and players, and I think that second part is important. Lyon basically is offloading almost all of their 2025 contracts, for better or for worse. But I think we could potentially see some 2026 and even 2027 contracts be broken as well.

Is that fair? I go back and forth on it. Normal working adults have yearly performance reviews, it’s not that absurd of a concept for professional players to be assessed in a similar manner. Is this player performing in a manner that justifies their salary? What are their contributions? Is it working? I think those are fair questions to ask.

But I also think there is the risk of going to the extreme. I am concerned that Kang will do too much of an overhaul. But that is hypocritical of my part, I know. I can’t be supporting a player review and then be like, “x percent of players must remain no matter their performance.” What if Kang completely guts the team? That’s a concern I really have.

I didn’t recognize my team today and that’s what pisses me off so much. I should have. There was no reason for them to be anything other than who they are. This team has played in so many high pressure, high intensity games. They know how to deal with this shit. Instead we saw an absolutely spectacular collapse that I honestly don’t see a way back from.

Maybe Kang should gut the team after all. A phoenix has to rise from something. I just honestly never thought we’d see the day where it’s the longterm fans who are begging to be the one holding the blow torch.

[redwineconversation]

I never said it, but I know that I can’t picture anything past 25. Not like I care to know the time and not like I’m looking for that silence. Self-diagnosing until I am borderline, I’ll do whatever helps to sleep at night.

[redwineconversation]

Knew that we would be alright from the first time: met you at your doorstep, remember how it tasted looking into your eyes

[redwineconversation]

Arsenal - Lyon Pregame Thoughts

Quick musings before the UWCL semifinal.

Arsenal is largely unchanged from the side that beat a crippled by injury Lyon back in October 2022. Lyon however has changed a lot. And I think that's important to note.

I cannot emphasize enough much it bothers me when people bring up that 5-1 win without mentioning the MASSIVE asterisk that comes along with it. I know I keep banging on about this but Lyon was absolutely crippled by injures in the first half of the 2022-2023 season. They were decimated. That group game was basically comprised of players playing out of position, players coming back from injury, and players who had absolutely no business being on the roster in the first place. That wasn't a full-strength Lyon by any stretch of the imagination.

Now, what matters is the final score, not whose name was on the team sheet and where, but it's still important. It wasn't the typical Lyon team who played that day. Once Lyon started to get their injured players back, they started playing, and this is me being generous, less badly, and did manage to beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates. Though at that point, in order to be fair, it must be said that Arsenal was beginning to be crippled by injuries.

So context matters. Backstories matter. You can't just say "we beat them 5-1" without mentioning the circumstances leading up to that.

That being said, I'm not going to lie, that defeat left a lot of psychological scars amongst the supporters. It was a humiliating defeat, an atrocious performance, and an uncomfortable preview of what a lot of the remaining Bompastor era would look like.

Is that behind us? It's tempting to say yes, but again, there deserves to be an asterisk.

I think Lyon at full strength is dangerous. Lyon in a generally bad mood even more so. This team just plays better when they're pissed off at things.

I really, really don't think that having 30k people at the Emirates is going to fluster this team in any shape or form. If Endler can handle people screaming that she is a whore and a traitor for 90 minutes in front of 45k people, I am pretty sure they can handle the Arsenal chants. If Arsenal fans start booing every time Bacha touches the ball, she will transcend into God Mode. This team genuinely enjoys hostile environments. 30k away fans against them? That's almost a fetish of theirs.

Let's talk about Lyon's current strengths: their front line and their defense. Chawinga lacks technical ability, let's be upfront about that. But she is starting to deliver in terms of goals. She's also very, very fast, so if Lyon is able to launch a counter attack, that's going to be tricky for Arsenal's right side. Diani is also pretty fast and technical. Dumornay delivers when she manages to keep her cool. If the stars align, they can and will give Arsenal's defense something to think about.

Lyon's backline used to be pretty solid but the horror show against Paris FC was a wakeup call no one really enjoyed. Let's not deny either that this team plays worse when Renard isn't there. I'm not exactly thrilled with either Sombath (short) or Tarciane (overrated, prone to mistakes) backing up Gilles. Furthermore, no matter the combination, the center back pairing is slow. Renard isn't fast. Gilles isn't fast. Tarciane sure as hell isn't fast. Sombath isn't fast. If Arsenal bypass Lyon's midfield and go central, they're not going to be met with a whole lot of resistance.

Lyon's midfield however ... good lord is that an issue. There were spectacular collapses against Bayern and Paris FC where they fell apart at the slightest hint of a press. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Marozsan simply does not have the level anymore to be playing high intensity games. Her absolute unwillingness to track back and defend has been and will be costly. Damaris' form in recent weeks has been concerning to be the very least. Everyone was shocked to learn that Horan/Heaps was the one who has covered the most distance amongst Lyon players. Van de Donk's fitness is a question mark but beyond that, neither of her previous appearances against Arsenal have been much to write home about. Some players thrive when it comes to Case of the Ex; van de Donk is not one of them.

The time slot is obviously an advantage for Arsenal. I think you have to go back to May/June 2023 to find the last time Lyon played such an early game. They're used to evening and night games and this change will affect their normal routine. Blah blah Arsenal didn't choose the schedule, I don't care, it's still something which affects Lyon so I get to bring it up.

I also think that on the whole, refs do favour Arsenal, especially at home, so I wouldn't be surprised if the ref is slightly more lenient towards them. Is it surprising, no, is it annoying, yes.

I don't think anyone can really predict how this is going to go because there are so many different factors at play. Do I want Lyon to win? Of course, I absolutely cannot stand losing. Will they? I don't know. I don't think anyone knows the outcome.

[redwineconversation]

a breath of your air is a death wish (Lyon - Paris FC Postgame Thoughts)

Arguably one of the worse games Lyon has played this season, if not the worse. There's not really a ton to talk about.

Give credit to Paris FC because they played a good game. They're a really good team and I think they're under appreciated a lot because they don't have a ton of "big name" players. It's a shame, because they're a fun team to watch, and with the incoming cash injection, I think they could turn into a very competitive squad, both in France and on the European scene.

But that doesn't excuse the absolutely terrible performance from Lyon today. They were horrendous across the board. This kind of performance, especially at home, especially at Groupama Stadium, is just unacceptable. You can't beg people to come to games, to play in the big stadium, and then put performances like that. Supporters deserve better. If you want them to attend games, then give them something to look forward to that isn't an absolute horror show. Why should fans show up for games when they get subjected to performances like that?

I've bitched about it before and I'll bitch about it again: buying Tarciane was a mistake. I know she's only 21, I know that she is new to the league, but nothing she has done so far has been reassuring. If she is Gilles' replacement, as is largely speculated, then Lyon might actually get the downfall everyone has been wishing for so badly. You cannot be a starter at Lyon with the defensive liability that Tarciane presents. It is way too costly.

Marozsan was on for the entire 90 minutes for reasons I absolutely fail to understand. She has proven, time and time again, that she cannot handle high press and will not commit to any defensive efforts. Yes, she took the corner that lead to Damaris' goal, but can anyone cite any other contribution from her during the game? Being invisible on all but one (1) play is a major red flag. Out of all the 2025 contracts, she is the second to last most important renewal.

We know the Arsenal game is going to be physical, especially because of certain players. We know there is going to be high intensity. Montemurro said that the Paris FC game was going to be a "practice run" for the UWCL semi-final and if this is what Lyon is going to do in London next weekend, then congratulations in advance to the probably most morally reprehensible fan base in football on making it to their first UWCL of their generation. If Lyon shows up in London like they did today, then they deserve a complete smackdown.

Now, it's true that it wasn't Lyon's typical starting 11. I'll concede that. But it wasn't that far off either, and some of these players by all means should have know better. And that's what's so frustrating. Yes, they were coming off an international break, yes, those games are always a bit complicated, yes, Paris FC is a good team. But all I hear are excuses. Excuses aren't good enough. Lyon is capable of better and asking that of them is not unreasonable.

The only "real" positive is Majri saying to Canal Plus that the performance was unacceptable, that it was a slap in the face and a wakeup call. Great. But they shouldn't have to play like absolute shit to have to wake up. We're not asking for a flawless performance here, but being able to connect passes, keep the ball, and actual defend is so basic that it shouldn't be a wakeup call to ask the team to do all that.

Regarding Damaris, it's way too soon to opine about her injury because things so often look worse than they actually are with her. It does, however, confirm that once again Lyon needs a real backup DM. Maybe Kang should be spending money on that rather than useless overpriced defenders.

[redwineconversation]

now you look away when I look at you now

Gather round, pour yourself a glass of wine or whatever your coping drink of choice is, and we're going to have a serious chat about Vanessa Gilles and Lyon's recruitment situation.

To put things in context there is Vanessa Gilles' interview with Le Progres, done on March 9, her interview with Lyon Foot, done on March 17, and her recent interview with ONFR, done on April 5. By "done on" I mean the date the interview was published, not the date the interview actually took place. That's kind of important in the grand scheme of things but not the most important thing.

For me there are two players who it is vital for Lyon to extend: Vanessa Gilles and Sara Dabritz.

Gilles is arguably one of the best center backs in the world right, and is also part of an incredible defensive line that has let in very, very few goals. Gilles also contributes to the offense by scoring headers. Add to that her positive influence over the locker room and there are a multitude of reasons why she is beneficial for this team.

The other thing going for her is that she just turned 29. Wendie Renard is 34 years old, turning 35 in July. Renard's contract extension runs through June 2027 and realistically she is going to be playing less the last couple of seasons of her contract. Gilles still has years left in her.

Gilles is also experienced, both with Lyon and in the UWCL. The trouble is with Lyon's current group of defenders - and this is especially obvious with the center backs - is the age gap. As I said, Renard is 34, Gilles is 29, and then it jumps to Tarciane (21), Alice Sombath (21), Alice Marques (19), Kysha Sylla (21), and Elma Junttila Nelhage (21). If you take away Gilles and Renard, that is an incredibly young and inexperienced central defense.

You win games through experience, and you get experience through playing games. I'm more than willing to concede that argument. But for the life of me I cannot believe a central defense where the highest average age is 21 is going to win you the UWCL. I don't even think it will win you tough games, much less essential ones. In light of the new UWCL format, tossing a prayer that somehow Renard defies the lords of time and stays injury free for the entire season is not reassuring in the least.

And I'm not saying the young players don't have talent, I'm not. But the reality of the situation is that potential talent is not going to make up for the lack of experience, especially in the UWCL. Defense wins games. An inexperienced defense will cost you games. And the reality of the situation is, Lyon can't afford to lose UWCL games.

What do I mean by that? Lyon is in a difficult situation. The French league doesn't have the same marketing attraction as the UWCL. Lyon isn't going to become Attendance FC anytime soon, if ever. What makes Lyon attractive, and the order isn't set in stone, is the salary, the fact there are world class players there, and the fact that UWCL runs are all but guaranteed. There are only a handful of teams who can claim to be consistent genuine title contenders, and Lyon is one of them.

If you start chipping away at those factors, then Lyon will struggle to attract "big" players, and you need big players to win big games. Big players aren't going to come to a team where the average age is 21 years old on a good day.

Big players aren't going to come to a team where UWCL play may or may not happen. This is really why I have such a bone to pick with the "we need to give academy players a chance!" Twitter brigade. No. Lyon doesn't have time to sit around and see if academy kids may or may not work out, not if they want to be competitive in the UWCL. I don't care what Melchie Dumornay's stats are, demanding a midfield of Dumornay (21), a fit Damaris (25), Ines Benyahia (22) and Maeline Mendy (18) will get you a midfield with the average age of 21.5 and is not going to win you the UWCL. Especially when two of those players have yet to play any high stakes games, be it in the league and in the UWCL.

By just having an abondance of young players, Kang might be chipping away at the salary mass, but at what cost? UWCL money is a vital source of revenue for the club. It seems reckless at best to be putting that money at play just because you don't want to pay higher salaries for more experienced players. Good players cost money. That's just the way it is. If you want a good player, then you have to open the checkbook.

It also concerns me because this isn't the NWSL, Kang doesn't get a redo every season. If Lyon fails to qualify for the UWCL that's it for the next season. They sit out on it, and then have to try and go again. And they will have fallen even more further behind, because Lyon will have lost their UWCL attraction. Missing out on the NWSL playoffs or shield thingy has no real consequences in the NWSL but missing out on the UWCL has enormous ones for teams in Europe.

The coaching situation is also up in the air. There are persistent rumors that Montemurro will leave to become the new head coach of the Australian National Team. I think that situation will be clarified in the coming weeks. Montemurro does have a fixed two-year contract, but contracts can be broken. That being said he has also denied being the next coach, and Football Australia had released a statement saying that they had looked at Montemurro but since he is on a fixed contract, they pivoted to something else. So we'll see.

It puts Lyon in a difficult situation. It will make two consecutive seasons where they are looking for a new head coach. Now the situation behind the departures were "fair" in that they weren't performance related: Bompastor had lost the locker room and Montemurro will possibly be leaving for his own country's position. So, you know, it's not as if it was because of a losing streak.

But it could/will affect recruitment. Would a top player want to come to a team with repeated coaching turnover? Probably not, because that means a lot of instability.

Before Lyon's manager needed to be someone who had enough experience to handle big teams with big players and as such big egos. If Kang is offloading the expensive players and instead focusing on "young players with potential", then the experience requirement switches then to a development requirement. And we're back to the initial question: what top player would choose a club where the priority is giving youngsters playing time instead of winning trophies?

Without the UWCL play, without experienced players, Lyon will become a development clubs. And development clubs don't win trophies, and eventually end up in consistent relegation battles. I don't want to see Lyon follow in Reims footsteps or Montpellier.

[redwineconversation]

Vanessa Gilles ONFR Interview (April 5, 2025)

And the final interview which lead to the current saga.

I'm in two minds about this because I really do believe that Gilles has the right to express her views, that being said, I don't think contract grievances should be aired out in the press.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; act like a parasocial stan get called a parasocial stan if it bothers you then just don't act like one; @OL Comms Dept a contribution towards my AC bill I BEG of you; y'all know the speech by now.

VANESSA GILLES ONFR INTERVIEW

Vanessa Gilles: "My priority is to continue playing in the UWCL"

WHO:

Vanessa Gilles is a starter with the Canadian Women National Team. She plays for her club team Olympique Lyonnais in France, one of the best teams in Europe, and who is amongst the favorites on the European scene to win the UWCL.

THE CONTEXT:

The French-Canadian center back has played at Lyon since 2022, but her contract is still tied to the NWSL team Angel City FC, who loaned her to the French club until [June] 2025. At the end of the season, Vanessa Gilles should therefore return to the American club, but she recently said to the local Lyon newspaper Le Progres that she didn't want to return to the United States, specifically stating the difficult political relations between the United States and Canada.

WHAT'S AT PLAY:

In an exclusive interview with ONFR, the Ottawa native elaborates more on her statement, her desire to stay at Lyon, her negotiations with the French club and her great joy to play again in Canada with the National Team, after a winter window where they played a majority of their games in Spain in empty stadiums.

You recently declared not wanting to return to the United States because of the tense relations between Donald Trump and Canada, is that a purely political choice?

No, I think there are a multitude of factors. I started by saying that my intention was to stay at Lyon because I love where I am. I adore the club. I have incredible relations with my teammates. It's always fun to win. My objective has always been the same, it's to go win the UWCL. I don't think there is another competition in the world as grandiose on the club level.

Then I went on to say that yes, with all the respect I have for Angel City, the values they have, what they're trying to build is incredible, but for me, it's out of the question for me to return to the United States at the moment with what is going on at the moment. It's nothing against Angel City, nothing against the league. I think that the NWSL is doing a superb job and its development is incredible.

I can see myself returning one day, but for the moment, for me, it's really complicated to see myself living in a country governed by such a person.

Staying on politics, is that something you follow closely?

It's something we all follow closely since we're living it. We suffer because of it. We suffer because of the decisions they make, but we have an advantage over others. I'm not going to pretend to know everything, but it's something I follow, be it in France, in the United States or in Canada, especially with the upcoming election or even what just happened recently in France with Marine Le Pen. There are a lot of things going on in the world at the moment.

I think it's really easy to stay in our bubble where we live, especially in football where we kick a ball. Life can be "easy". You get up, you play football, you focus on yourself, on the game, on the sport, but real life is happening around you. So yes, it's something that affects me, something I follow closely. I have family in Canada, family in France as well.

Having lived in a lot of different countries, on a lot of different continents, be it in China, in Vietnam, in Cyprus, France, Canada, the United States, obviously politics is something which concerns me. And once more, it's not something I am going to pretend to know a lot about, but I follow what is going on. I have a minimum understanding, we could say, like everyone else, like a normal citizen. Knowing what is going on, as a Canadian, it is out for the question to return to the United States at the moment.

Putting aside the NWSL, for you, are there no other teams who interest you apart from Olympique Lyonnais?

I never said I wasn't interested in other teams. I think that for me, my priority is Olympique Lyonnais. But what I am living through right now, the question is really does Olympique Lyonnais want me? I'm not sure, especially with the current conversations, even today, that I have had with the club.

I don't know, it seems clear as day that I am not a priority for them. Obviously I am looking elsewhere as well. But, if I can stay at Lyon, obviously I will. As I said, my priority is to play in the UWCL. I hope that it will be with Lyon but there are strong odds that won't be the case.

Going back to the National Team, you've been playing in Spain recently, at what point is it important for you to come back and play in Canada?

It's huge. We talked about it amongst the team. For us, what it represents is especially a chance to show this team and its values to the country, but also to promote football and sport in general here.

And especially having people in the stands, that must motivate you even more...

It's true that the last games that we played in Spain were behind closed doors. It's never great to play empty stadiums for sure, especially when you're representing your country. There is no better feeling than coming home, walking in the streets, feeling like you are at home.

There was also change in terms of the head coach with the nomination of Stoney Casey as head coach. What has changed since her arrival?

It's just our second camp together. But what I can tell you is from having spoken with her, having seen her coach for two, three weeks, I can tell you she is someone who likes efficiency and someone who is very honest. I think that's something that we need and we were really missing. Honesty and efficiency, with the small amount of time we have together, I think that can do great things for you and will allow us to do much more.

[redwineconversation]

Vanessa Gilles Le Progrès Interview (March 9, 2025)

Second interview which gives context to the whole saga/what dropped yesterday.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; parasocial stans drive me nuts you have no idea; @OL Comms Dept the heat wave is coming back and my AC bill will suffer in case you feel like pitching in; y'all know the speech by now.

Interview done before the UWCL quarters.

VANESSA GILLES LE PROGRES INTERVIEW

Vanessa Gilles to the readers: "I would like to stay at Lyon"

The international Canadian at Olympique Lyonnais spent an hour with readers of Le Progres. A good time where questions touched on all subjects: the means in women's football, the state of refereeing, the upcoming game against Bayern, the Canadian National Team ... And of course her future at Lyon as her contract ends in June. Smily and available, Vanessa Gilles didn't avoid any questions.

How did you get into football? What was your path?

I started pretty late. I played tennis for a long time. My brother played football, I played tennis, we were pretty competitive with each other so we couldn't do the same sport. But tennis is hard as a sport, it's particular. I was 15, 16, and after having been at the national level, I stopped completely. My friends were playing football so I got into it just so I could be with them. I was a goalkeeper. Then they made me a center back because I could do headers and run. I leant how to pass, that took me a long time. I went through University of Cincinnati and then I got my French passport (thank you, France) to be able to play elsewhere because there wasn't a professional league in Canada. The only team I found was in Cyprus. I was there for six months and then Bordeaux came and recruited me. Four years later, I went to Los Angeles for six months and then found myself in Lyon, after having sold everything in France because after having left Bordeaux, I thought I was leaving the country for good.

You played tennis for several years. Is it more demanding than football?

Mentally, it's more difficult and demanding. Individual sports, it's really particular. It's you against yourself. The beauty of a team sport, you always have teammates whom you can count on. If you have a bad day, you know there are 10 other people who are there to make you better. And the opposite is true, when you see a teammate having a bad day, it's up to you to help them. Tennis, unless you're playing doubles, it's complicated if you're having a bad day.

What do you hold on to from having played at Bordeaux?

They were the first team who saw something in me and who gave me the opportunity to play at the top level and with the national team, to have experienced the Olympics Games. I will always be thankful for Bordeaux. And it's a great city to live in. The beach being close by, that's pretty cool. What I remember as well is having gotten third place and having beaten Wolfsburg [proper Lyon lore if you ask me]. Now it's true that now they [Bordeaux] are in the third division, that's a really sad thing for women's football. We had such amazing talent. To see that investment just disappear, it hurts the supporters but also as a a player...

Are you going to extend in June?

I'm really happy at Lyon, I adore this city and country because I've been in France for seven years. I don't see myself return to the United States with the current geopolitical situation [#FuckTrump] It's a bit complicated as a Canadian. We're having negotiations, I'm waiting for a response from Lyon. I'd love to stay but it's up to them.

We're eager to play Bayern [Munich]

What are your views for the rest of the season, especially in terms of the UWCL?

We had a difficult draw. Bayern [Munich] is a really good team. It's never easy to play against the Germans. We know all about the German organization, and in football it's the same, really organized and efficient. We're already working on what we want to put in place. We're eager for the return of the UWCL because we haven't played that competition for three months. Ever since we were eliminated from the Coupe de France, we haven't been able to play consecutive games. As of this weekend, we will have two games a week and will get the rhythm back. Bayern won't be an easy game but we have the ambition to win the UWCL. We know it's difficult, we're not looking ahead, but we have all the qualities if we put things in order and we take things seriously. When you look around you on the pitch, you feel the rage and the desire [to win]. I'm eager to play the UWCL again.

How was the team and you, as players, impacted by Sonia Bompastor's departure?

Sonia won everything with Lyon. Being able to go to Chelsea with her family and give her children an international lifestyle, that's huge. s a player and human being, I completely understand that she made that choice, for herself, for Camille [Abily] and the children. When a coach has been there for a long time, it's good to change things up, because sometimes the messages or the training sessions can be the same. It's the same cycle in every club. It's normal to have a change in tone and different ideas on the pitch, even if Lyon keeps its identity. She and Camille are Lyon legends but their departure wasn't a negative. We were ... sad to see them go but happy they had the opportunity.

Were you as happy as Ellie Carpenter to see Tabitha Chawinga sign with Lyon?

I was the first to comment on Instagram when they announced it. And we often talk about it. She tells me I'm the strongest center back she has played against, but she never tells me I'm the fastest (laughter). It was really complicated against Tabi... People talk about this player everywhere in Europe and in the United States as well with her sister. It's rare to have players that last, so I'm really happy that she is on our team. Beyond that, as a human being, she's always smiling. She's a great person who takes joy in what she does. When you hear her life story and how she became a professional player, it's incredible and inspiring.

Who do you get along with the best at Lyon?

It's not a secret, Ada [Hegerberg] and I are really close. She is like a sister to me. I'm really lucky to have her in my life, and as a teammate, she sets the example. She is someone who always pushes me and gives me an enormous amount of confidence. She's my Number One cheerleader. Even when I am playing badly, she is always there for me. Ada is an incredible woman.

Do you want to play at Groupama Stadium more frequently?

Yes, when you play in a big stadium, there's more atmosphere. As a player, it would be cool to play all our games at Groupama. The pitch is incredible and when you are in the locker room or in the stadium, it's more professional. But I also get that when you see that the stadium isn't sold out, it can give a bad impression.

What are the advantages of playing professional football?

My passion is the same as my work, I see my friends every day, I'm home at 2pm. I have summers off, but we work weekends. The absolute best thing, as a player, is that you're paid to travel the world. When I travel, everything is organized for me. I see so many different cultures and country with the national team, and with Lyon, I'm discovering so many cities. I've never met so many people outside of Canada as in football.

"I sleep a lot"

What does your typical day look like when you're playing a game at 9pm?

My normal day isn't the same as a lot of people's. If you ask Ada [Hegerberg] or Lindsey [Horan/Heaps], they will have a different answer. I like to sleep so I will get out of bed around midday, I'll eat, read a bit and then stretch, go for a walk, have another meal, go back to bed and then go to the stadium. It's not super exciting.

What playlist are you currently listening to?

I'm not on the rotation... I listen to a bit of everything: Gims, reggae, Eminem, Celine Dion ... There's a lot.

Have you already thought about what your next celebration will be if you score?

We just did a short shooting with EAFC during media day so there are some things in the works.

Are you happy to have scored with your feet?

A goal is a goal. Be it with your foot, your head, or your bottom, it's a goal and we'll take it.

"Things need to change in France"

Is it complicated to get recognition when you see the difference in means between men's football and women's football?

It's hard to make a comparison because men's football has so many years' head start. I want to focus on the evolution of women's football and the speed at which we got leagues to become professional like they did in England, the United States or Canada. We're really on a positive trend. It needs to be sustainable. Michele Kang often says that women's sports is a business, not a charity and to create a good business [model], that takes time. When I talk with former players, it's night and day compared to what I am experienced today with the National Team and with Lyon. They dreamt to have the same opportunities that I have today and I am sure that in ten years I will have dreamt to have had the opportunities of the next players. We shouldn't settle for the current standards in women's football but we need to recognize where we came from.

Can Jean-Michael change things?

Things need to change in France. When you look the German league, the English league, the American league, they're all setting the example... However, France used to have a head start years ago... If anyone can change things, it's Jean-Michel Aulas considering what he did for Lyon and for women's football in general.

Are you sensitive to what is written in the press after a game?

I already deleted Twitter, that did me so much good. It's a good platform, my father found a good community and he adores it, but as a player, sometimes social media can be difficult. I try to not really follow it even though my father sends me an enormous amount of articles. I try to tell him to slow down (laughter). The less you read about yourself, the better it is, be it for the better or for worse, to stay in the present. At 28 years old, in this job, you know when you're not good. And even when you did good, you know there is always something to improve on. It's better to do your own self-analysis.

There is a big crisis in terms of the level of referees in the men's football. How is it experienced on the women's side? Do you get the impression that the refereeing is up to standards?

Stephanie Frappart comes every year to explain to us the evolution, especially in the French league, and talk to us about the project. It's a great job, really important. If you do a good job, no one is going to talk about you but if it's the other way, you're going to have 22 players in your ear. We often ask ourselves how come the women's French league doesn't have access, like the men's league, to the best referees? When we're playing, we become easily frustrated with the level, especially when you get carded and you haven't done anything. But with a bit of hindsight, you realize that female referees are doing their best and are trying to progress and do their job with little means. Seeing the conditions they have, we can't really talk down to them. As players, we need them to improve and learn, and especially that they continue to do their jobs.

"Seeing players who have a second job, it's hard to accept"

Is it complicated going from playing against a team who has very little means to playing against big teams?

Be it in the UWCL or in the league, it's a pleasure playing each match for Lyon. Each one represents a challenge, different tactics. There are rarely any easy games for us, we learn from each on. It's more outside the pitch that it's frustrating. The means we have at our disposable should be the standard. But when I see Kysha Sylla who while out on loan [at Washington Spirit] was in a mini-van for seven hours for an away game, playing and leaving the same day, it's complicated. To know that a majority of players have a second job, it's hard to accept because at Lyon, you're in a bubble. You're fully professional, 90 percent of the team plays on their national team. We have good salaries which allow us to live comfortably. We're lucky to often play in big stadiums because we're Lyon, but having played at Bordeaux, I can tell you that for the majority of other pitches, it's complicated.

Do you have good infrastructures at Lyon?

If that question had been asked 10 years ago, it would have been the best infrastructure in Europe. Now, there is a lot to improve on. For instance, we can't all do our gym workouts at the same time. Michele Kang is there for that, especially for the future training center and future pitch.

What are your general thoughts on Lyon?

Eight times winner of the UWCL, there aren't a lot who can say that. Lyon is the biggest women's club in the world.

Why isn't the French National Team more successful in European tournaments and World Cups?

I'm not a part of it, I couldn't tell you... If I had the answer, I would be head coach of the French National Team, but maybe that'll happen in the future. I don't know if people understand just how hard international tournaments are. You could have the best players but in a tournament you need to have the best team in the world and who is performing well at the right team, all while having players from different teams with different styles of play. It's really hard to manage a national team because we're not often together.

Was it a source of pride to have scored the goal which qualified Canada for the next round when playing against France at the Olympics this summer?

A lot of things had happened that summer for us. It was imperative that we won that game. It was more a relief to have scored in the last seconds, no matter who we played, and to have hope we could progress in the tournament. Mentally, it was really hard this summer. We were more tired from what was going on outside of football than what was happening on the pitch.

Canada's strength, it's its collective

How did you experience the spying scandal during the Olympics?

Really badly... It was a big shock for us all. From the outside, everyone saw the drone and all that, but from the inside, it was a really shocking moment two days from your first game. It was illegal and we had staff members in prison. Not only did we not know if we were going to be able to play this competition but we didn't even know where they were. Emotionally, it was hard. We didn't handle that period really well.

Which Canadian players stand out for you on the National Team?

The beauty and strength of our team, it's the team spirit. We're one of the few teams who have players in every league. Having that mixture of experience and identity on the pitch gives a good mix. When you come to the National Team, you speak to a lot of people who have different experiences and points of view, that's what impresses me the most.

You were named Best Player for Canada in 2024. Your male co-part, Jonathan David, plays at Lille. It is a coincidence you're both playing in France?

That's a good question because we went to high school together and we come from the same time. A coincidence maybe but Ottawa produces good football players. I remember in PE, he was short but could dribble past all of us. Who knows where he will be in three months.. Maybe at Lyon. Now that would be a coincidence.

"Winning the Olympics was incredible"

Quel est votre regard sur la nouvelle ligue professionnelle au Canada ? Pensez-vous y jouer ?

What are your views on the new professional league in Canada? Do you think you might play there?

I don't even know what I am doing in three months so I can't answer that (laughter). Having a professional league, that's huge for us. That league will give us the means to give opportunities to girls who stop their career after university, which was the case for all my friends who would have loved to continue playing. That also means we will have a bigger pool for our national team. We're the only team in the Top 10, maybe even Top 20, without a professional league. Maybe one day, I could play in front of my loved ones, at home, for my city. Who knows.

What is your best memory?

Winning the Olympics, during COVID, in Japan. We hadn't seen our family in months, you couldn't leave your hotel room, couldn't eat anywhere other than the board room because we weren't allowed to leave. Being able to lift that trophy and be on the podium having experienced all that, it was incredible.

People in Quebec feel that in France, the French language has been neglected. What are your thoughts on that?

I grew up in China and then I went to a French high school, which is why I don't have the Quebecois accent and I'm pretty happy about that. But I am still Quebecois, born in Montreal, and I adore Quebec! The French language has opened a lot of doors for me so I don't have anything bad to say about it (laughter). Now, it's true that after I have been away with the National Team, and my roommate is Evelyne Viens, I come back and swear frequently in Quebecois which makes Wendie (Renard) and Kadi (Diani) laugh.

[redwineconversation]

Vanessa Gilles Lyon Foot Interview (March 17, 2025)

We need to have a good and proper chat about Gilles/Lyon's state of recruitment but in order to do that, you need to understand how we got to this point, and that means translating a handful of interviews. This is the first one.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; act like a parasocial freak get called a parasocial freak idk why you're complaining so much; @OL Comms Department my tax bill killed me this year pls do something; y'all know the speech by now.

This was done in March before the UWCL quarters but do serve as important context for the interview which dropped today.

VANESSA GILLES LYON FOOT INTERVIEW

Vanessa Gilles (Olympique Lyonnais Feminin): "We are focused on the Champions League"

At 28 years old, Vanessa Gilles is an uncontested starter at Lyon. The French-Canadian, who won Player of the Year for Canada Soccer in 2024, is enjoying herself at a club with whom she hopes to win two more trophies this season. The central defender agreed to confide to Lyon Foot about her future at Lyon, the evolution of women's football and her ambition in the UWCL. An interview with no filter.

This month of March means the return of the UWCL for Lyon. It will be against Bayern [Munich]. Are you back to competing in Europe with lots of ambition?

It's been several years since we've brought the trophy home [May 2022]. So each year, we go into the competition with the objective of winning this trophy. I've been at Lyon for three years now and I still haven't won it, so on a personal level, I'm really hungry for it. But I am not the only one, the team as well. And with the roster that we have and our potential, we're all focused on that goal.

It will give you the chance to play games more frequently as the start of the year was pretty slow following your early knockout loss in the Coupe de France. Was that a real wakeup call?

We didn't have to question everything but it was a real slap in the face for sure. When we come back in January, getting back into things is always hard but that's not an excuse. The pitch was the same for everyone, we knew we would struggle with a low block. It was the chance to get together and talk and if that served as a lesson for the future, all the better! In any case, it was hard not playing a lot in January and February, so we were impatient to get to March!

Paradoxically, this season, you are really dominating the league, with two solid wins over PSG...

If we're being honest, PSG is having a lot of difficulties this year. It proves that it's difficult to always stay at the top level, especially when the staff changes and there are roster changes, even with there are a lot of good players. The league is improving, maybe, but when teams like PSG drop the level a bit, that explains the gap in the league. That doesn't mean though that it will be easy to win the playoffs. Whether we have a one point lead or an eight point lead, we will take the playoffs seriously because we know that it won't be easy.

And in the meantime, in Europe, clubs are reinforcing themselves more and more. Barcelona and Chelsea especially... How do you see that competition?

It's nice to see more teams invest and pull women's football toward the top. For many years, Lyon was the example and it showed that investing paid off. To see that Chelsea, Barcelona, even other clubs like Bayern, Manchester City or Arsenal, are investing not only to win titles but also in the long term, I'm happy about that. Especially when you see what Barcelona or Arsenal do from a marketing standpoint. It shows that women's football is a legitimate business, in the same way as men's football, that you just need to build a base and then work from there. Beyond that, it's true that the competition makes it harder and harder to win the UWCL.

We're really getting the impression that women's football has reached a turning point in its history, with Naomi Girma's transfer to Chelsea, which broke the 1M euros record for the first time...

There are several factors. The contracts in women's football are becoming longer and longer. Before, a contract was only for two years so paying a transfer fee didn't make much sense. Now, certain contracts are for three, four, five years, so obviously you have to pay the player's release clause, which is even more when she is a top player. To now that a club is invested in you on the long-term, it's important in terms of [job] security and confidence and it's something new in women's football.

You are on loan from Angel City. This loan is coming to an end in June. What does your future hold?

That's a good question... My loan ends at the end of the season and my contract with Angel City ends in December [this reads as is ending in December 2025. It was previously been speculated that Gilles' contract with Angel City was through 2027]. I'm in talks with both parties but if I am honest, I see my future as being in Europe. I hope it's with Lyon. I've always said that you don't turn down Lyon. It's become home for me and my family. My parents have found a community within the group of supporters so it really makes me happy that they are fond of the club. They're even bigger fans of Lyon than I am. Beyond that, anything can happen, we'll see where the talks end up. But be it with Angel City or Lyon, I know I am in very good hands.

Speaking of Lyon, you're one of the players who have played the most under Joe Montemurro. What does he have you working on on a daily basis?

He has everyone work in the same way. He likes ball possession, he helps us improve with the ball, be at ease in possession when we're put under pressure [midfield didn't get the memo in the Bayern games...], be it whether you are a central defender, a midfield or a forward. That's really his vision of things.

There is also life with the national team... You are often called up with the national team, you were even voted Player of the Year with Canada Soccer. What does playing for Canada represent for you?

I'm so proud. I am French-Canadian. It wasn't an easy choice but rather obvious, because I was brought up in that culture and I started playing this sport thanks to players like Christine Sinclair or Kadeisha Buchanan. I dreamt of having them as teammates one day. Each time I'm with the National Team, it's a huge honor and it's like the first time each time.

You still played for the French National Team with the U-23s... Do you remember that one and only time you sang the French National anthem?

Yes, it was with the youths. It was incredible to see Clairefontaine! With the big statue of the World Cup, the two stars, it's really a football center! Beyond that, I have the passport, but would I have really been able to be called up with the senior team because it's a team with an enormous amount of talent, especially when it comes to central defenders, there's so much competition... But anyway, for me, my heart belongs to Canada.

And what people might not know is that at the start, you were a tennis player! You only started playing football pretty late, when you were about 15, and it took hours and hours of practice for you to get to this level...

I'm still working on it (laughter). I started late because my brother and friends liked playing football. And to play at university, even to have a scholarship, you needed to know how to pass (laughter(). I worked really hard. To lose or be bad at something, when you're competitive, it gets on your nerves ves. So I did everything possible so that they wouldn't make fun of me at practice. But I never regretted having switched.

We get the impression that no matter what you do, it's always in good spirits. You have a hilarious TikTok account. In the end, is that the key to success?

I think there are days when it is easier than others to have fun, laugh and train in good sprits. It's important for the collective as well. If one teammate is lacking energy, it's important to have another teammate there to give you some. So if I have enough energy and good humor, it's easy for me to make others laugh and I enjoy doing it. When it isn't going so well, I count on my teammates like Ada (Hegerberg), Sara (Dabritz) or Lindsey (Horan/Heaps) to give me the necessary boost. That's what make the strength of a team.

[redwineconversation]

spelled out your name and list all the reasons: faint of heart; don't call me back (Lyon - Bayern Postgame Thoughts)

Lyon is at their best when they're like this: a little vexed, a little vengeful, a little bit pissed off. The pace is faster, the passing more accurate, the finishing more clinical. This is a team who needs to be pissed off enough to forget to pretend to be anything than what they really are. They're monsters. They're better for it when they get to act like one.

The thing is, they weren't monsters in the first half, far from it. Spineless, toothless, they resembled more the team from the first half of the 2022/2023 season: a team afraid of shadows, a team afraid of themselves. It was luck, mainly, that had them only down 1-0 at half time. If Harder or Buhl had been more clinical, this would have been a different story.

But they went back to the locker room at half-time and everyone and their mother was screaming at how abysmal the first half was and there are really decent odds that Renard was one of those people screaming. Hegerberg too.

The nice thing about this team is that they listen. They listen when Renard yells at them and they listen when Hegerberg yells at them and they don't like being yelled at by Renard and/or Hegerberg so when that does happen, it whips them into shape and they get better. They fix their mistakes. We saw that in the second half, a vexed, pissed off Lyon, who killed the game off at 3-1 and then scored the fourth just because they were pissed off. Olympique Lyonnais vs Pernille Harder lore is easily one of the best Lyon lores out there and it pains me people don't know/appreciate it enough.

A former Lyon player - I want to say it was Amandine Henry - once said that UWCL games are won by experience. I think she's right. One of the things which makes this Lyon team so, so good is that they have been through so many of these situations before. They know what they're capable of because they have already lived through it. Their football knowledge is pure, is innate. It's one of those things that make them so compelling to watch.

If Chawinga and Diani are finally starting to justify their price tag, questions need to be asked about Marozsan and Damaris respectively. I've long maintained that Lyon needs to offload Marozsan and stand by it. While her technique is exceptional, the fact that she cannot defend and falls apart at the slightest hint of press should be automatically disqualify her as a starter for any high intensity or high stakes games. She is also incredibly slow, which has an adverse reaction when Lyon is either pressing or trying to launch a counter attack.

Lyon desperately needs a decent backup pure DM because I think Damaris has become too comfortable in her position as a certified starter for Lyon. I do maintain that Damaris is world class and I maintain I would rather have her on my team than be playing against her. That still stands. But Jesus Christ her performances have been terrible lately. We saw how much good Huerta did for Carpenter; Lyon needs someone who can do the same for Damaris. We know what that player is capable of so that's why her latest performances have had real Lyon fans recoiling in horror. Damaris can and should be doing so much better. Let's all agree to stop handholding players and actually hold them accountable to their job descriptions.

As terrible as Lyon's midfield has been lately, their offense and defense has not been. And that's something we need to talk about. My stance on Love Island FC stans is well documented by now. I have no qualm about going on record and saying I would have preferred Real Madrid both because they would be "easier" and also because their fan base is nowhere near as morally reprehensible as those godawful Love Island FC stans.

I digress.

Lyon's offense has been on fire lately. Let's call it as it is. Lyon is feeling good about themselves and you can tell that because they are scoring goals because they are pissed off. They don't have to score this many, they're doing it because they can, because they're angry and vexed and maybe because someone got their coffee order wrong. There are a multitude of reasons why Lyon is scoring so much, the simplest explanation is, well, they're doing because they can. And they can because their feelings were hurt for some reason and this is the easiest way for them to deal with it. And to think Manon doesn't see herself as a grief counselor.

People have been praising Lyon's defense and with good cause. Seven goals conceded across all competitions, two of them in the UWCL. That is a really, really stellar defense. It's interesting - but in a way not? - that the defensive line is so good when it is the exact same one as last year. What changed? Not a whole lot. I think the team as a whole is playing better simply because they like Montemurro (you can argue whether it's for better or for worst but that's another topic altogether). The defense is gelling because the team is gelling, and the team is gelling because they're not counting the hours until Bompastor is kicked to the curb. Amazing what a difference a healthy work environment makes.

Looking towards the matchup with Love Island FC - literally according to this press release - I think it's going to be a tough game, albeit for both sides. I think it's pretty much a given that Arsenal will have home team advantage in terms of the referee's decisions, so I would expect a lot of calls in their favor. And Arsenal will definitely have the crowd support behind them (I am also expecting Love Island FC stans to pull a 2024 UWCL final 2.0 where they pretend to be Lyon fans and use Lyon allocated tickets. But I am sure their moral integrity would never dream of doing such a thing)

That being said, while Love Island FC and its fans might be flying high with the confidence of having overcome the goal differential against renown giant Real Madrid Feminin, playing against Lyon in a UWCL semifinal is going to be a little different.

Well, maybe. Let's talk about that too.

They love to harp on about the 5-1 win back in October 2022. You would think they toppled a full strength Lyon and not one that was missing fourteen (14) regular players and whose starting 11 had a mixture of players playing out of position and others coming back from injury. Arsenal were the better team that day, sure, but the mixed team who plays behind your favorite bakery probably could have beaten Lyon that day, too.

If Lyon is at full strength - and I want to emphasize the if - then I do think it's advantage Lyon. Selling out the Emirates and cosplaying as Lyon fans at Groupama Stadium isn't going to phase a team who is used to playing in hostile environment. Lyon has played PSG at a near full capacity Parc des Princes. The Emirates isn't going to phase them. Well, maybe if they start doing shows about being a real life Love Island FC. That might throw Lyon off guard enough to make a difference.

Anyway. Whether or not they sell out the Emirates is kind of neither here nor there. Cool if they do, won't actually affect how Lyon plays. Rah rah go team.

Lyon's midfield isn't great - and I kind of want to put the caveat that if van de Donk is back to full fitness and starts in the place of Marozsan, one of the midfield problems gets solved - but the problem for Arsenal is Lyon's offense and defense. Lyon is really, really good at both. So Arsenal will not have to score - difficult - but also stop Lyon from scoring - also difficult.

Lyon's forwards are really fast. Chawinga is fast, Dumornay is fast, Diani is fast. They're also strong. Two out of the three are also technical. Then you also have Hegerberg who is feeling like herself again, and Lyon's front line is not only heavily stacked, they're also feeling good about themselves. Arsenal got a fair amount of success by double teaming Caicedo but they will have to make some decisions about Lyon's front line. If they double team Chawinga, what are they going to do about Durmonay? Are they going to let Diani do as they please? Decisions will have to be made.

And then Arsenal is going to have to score. Now, both AS Roma and Bayern proved it can be done. You can score on this team. It's just ... really hard to do so. The Gilles-Renard partnership has been exemplary all season. Getting past them is going to be tough. Not impossible, but tough.

One thing I would keep an eye on is Lyon's fitness/injury ratio. Carpenter hasn't fully recovered from the tackle in the first leg against Bayern. I'm curious whether she pops up against Fleury and how much she gets played when she is with the Australian National Team. If Carpenter ends up being out for an extended period of time, Lyon's right side loses some of its natural chemistry with Diani/Carpenter, and also loses speed for counterattacks.

There are a lot of games between now and the first leg of the semifinal. Injuries happen, exhaustion starts to creep in. I'm probably one of the few who doesn't want to say Lyon is already in the final. Things can happen. We know that.

But we also know this team. And that matters, too.

[redwineconversation]

Damaris Egurrola Le Progres Interview (March 24, 2025)

The contrast between Lyon players/fans ("we might still lose!!! It's not over!!!!) and everyone else ("Lyon is basically already in the semis, this is a formality") is making me laugh (nervously). My palms are sweating. I'm nauseous. I'm developing stress ulcers. I am most certainly not calm and composed before this game, and I am glad Lyon players are aware of the dangers, too.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; if you act like a parasocial freak you get called a parasocial freak idk why you're clutching your pearls about that; @OL Comms Dept a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc pls I am begging you; y'all know the speech by now.

A good and proper chat with Lyon's tall, awkward, and loyal child.

DAMARIS EGURROLA LE PROGRES INTERVIEW

Damaris: "When you're at Lyon, it isn't enough to just win"

After the 2-0 away win in Germany, Defensive Midfielder Damaris Egurrola wants Lyon to put the game to bed this Wednesday (6.45pm) in the return leg of the quarterfinal. This time by making a statement.

Winning 2-0 in Munich without really having played well, is that reassuring or worrying?

It's first and foremost a really good result for an away game. You can't forget that it's the Champions League and there is never an easy game, especially when it's German football with a lot of intensity and duels. It's true we didn't play our best game but we still won 2-0, so we'll take it.

What needs to be done better?

We were very efficient in Munich but we need to do a lot more with the ball, with possession, play like we know how to do. We didn't have enough control of the ball even though we have the type of players for that. But it will be different at the Groupama Stadium [will it though???] We will have more space and they will need to come at us because they need to score at least two goals.

Did you put in the necessary intensity?

Maybe we didn't really show up the first twenty minutes. But we were expecting [Bayern] Munich to start strongly. Then, we were able to score at the right time. But yeah, we need to have learnt from it because in the UWCL, you can't allow yourself to be dominated like that for 20 minutes.

Does Lyon also need to send another message?

Every time we play, the objective is to win. Even more so in the UWCL, which is a big objective. But when you're Lyon, it's not enough to just win. We need to play well and score lots of goals. But to repeat myself, winning 2-0 away against a team like Bayern, that's also really good.

"In our mind, it's 0-0"

You missed two passes in the same game which lead to Bayern having chances. Was that unusual on your part?

It doesn't happen usually. And I know it shocked a lot of people that I messed up those two passes. I don't know what happened... We can't be at the top all the time even if I know we can't make those mistakes in that type of game. That's also why we work every day. I know I can do so much better and that's why I'm eager to play the return leg.

Would it be a mistake to say Lyon is already in the semi-final?

We have a two goal advantage but in our mind, we're coming into this game as though it was 0-0. You never know what is going to happen in the UWCL. You just have to remember last season where we were almost down 3-0 against PSG before turning things around. Bayern is going to give it their all and so from the start of the game, we will need to have the ball and not give them any hope.

The difference of intensity between the [French] league and the UWCL, is that a disadvantage?

Even if we know and we're in the lead for our league, the objectives always do more, to be even more efficient defensively, to never concede and to always score more. That's what helps for the UWCL. Beyond that, the most important work for me happens during practice, where the training sessions are with the top players, and that's where we put in the intensity necessary for the UWCL.

Même si on connaît et que l’on maîtrise le championnat, l’objectif est toujours de faire plus, de chercher à être efficace derrière, de ne jamais encaisser de but et d’en marquer beaucoup. C’est ce qui aide pour la Ligue des champions. Après, le travail le plus important pour moi se fait lors des entraînements qui sont de haut niveau avec des joueuses de haut niveau, et où l’on met l’intensité nécessaire pour la Ligue des champions.

"Not surprised by Real Madrid"

Were you surprised by Real Madrid's win over Arsenal (2-0) and whom could be your opponent in the semifinal?

I told the [Lyon] players that Real Madrid could win. I wasn't really surprised because I watch a lot of games in Spain especially, an even if Real Madrid can't be top of the league, they do show up in the UWCL. But nothing is done for them either.

Is playing in Spain something you would like?

Of course! My friends and family are waiting for that to come see me [play] and it would be much easier for them if it's in Spain.

Is losing that UWCL final in Bilbao your worse memory?

It was hard because it was at home [Damaris is from Basque] and it was a final. But in hindsight, I can look at it from a different perspective. Playing a UWCL final at home in front of your loved ones, a game I used to watch on the television when I was younger, it's something which happens only once in your lifetime. And I think we will have more possibilities to win the UWCL this season.

You often say it's a dream to play for Lyon, even when you've become one of the core players and have been there for four years...

It doesn't take away of it being a dream. Every morning, I wake up eager to go to practice, to work with the players that I liked watching on television when I was younger, at Lyon who always wants to win everything. I know I have a certain stature now and I'm really proud because that was my objective. When I came to Lyon, it was to play, not just to see how things go. It's really good to be important for the team, but I can always do better.

This stature as a starter and a core player, does that mean more responsibilities?

I have experience and I try to help the new players. I'm still a pretty shy and reserved person but there are other ways to be a leader. In any case I try to be one on the pitch which is where I'm confident and my teammates trust me.

Sonia Bompastor put her trust in you. Is it the same with Joe Montemurro?

I'm always going to be thankful towards Sonia who gave me a lot of playing time and put her trust in me. With Joe Montemurro, it's the same thing. He wants the plays to come from me, that I determine the tempo in the midfield. It obviously helps when the coach trusts you.

What are your areas of improvement considering you are just 25 years old?

I've improved a lot defensively and in duels where I think I'm stronger than I was when I arrived. Now, I try to work on what I can bring offensively, being more decisive. In practice, I work on shooting outside the box because that used to be one of my strengths before. I need to score more goals... I've hit the post a lot this year with Lyon ... But it will come!

"Not better place than Lyon"

How do you see your future at Lyon?

I'm happy and I think I've become a bit French. I like my life here. My friends and family visit pretty often. I like coming to work every day, see the team again and the players, we have a good time together. My contract goes through 2027 and there is no better place that I could be.

And outside of football?

I have a pretty quiet life. I haven't finished exploring Lyon where there is always something to see. I like grabbing a coffee with friends who don't play football because we can talk about other things. I like the Old Town, the Hotel Dieu. I really like watching sport, especially basketball, because it is a change from football. I'm also really into surfing, I was pretty good at it but I can't do it anymore [Lyon rules]

You did this interview in French without any problem. If our math is correct, you speak five languages?

I'm not sure I speak them all fluently but yes, five. With my friends, I speak Spanish or Basque, even if I've lost a bit of the Basque because I don't speak it enough. With my family, it's in English. Here with Lyon, it's English and French. And Dutch, that's with the National Team, I'm still learning it. I can understand everything but I still have to improve to be able to speak it. I've always felt that when you arrive in a country, it's important to speak the language [@[REDACTED].]

Can you switch easily?

That's when it gets complicated! When I come back from the international break and I'm here where I need to speak English, French and sometimes Spanish, the transition is hard!

[redwineconversation]

Maybe Chelsea fans should have believed Lyon fans when they said Bompastor leaving wasn’t a loss?

[redwineconversation]

still i gave you i, gave you i (Lyon - State de Reims Postgame Thoughts)

It's a lot easier to write this when I don't have a crippling migraine, I gotta say that.

Anyway, there's a lot to talk about, so let's pour ourselves a glass of wine and have a good and proper chat.

I thought Tarciane was disappointing at best. I'm sympathetic to the argument that she is new to the team and the league and there is definitely weight to that. She isn't familiar with Lyon's style of play, the French language, the teams in the French league. I think that's a very valid argument in her favor.

She's still at fault for the goal though.

What I saw tonight, to be quite frank, actually concerned me: a tall player (good!), but with a lack of physicality, a lack of technique, and a lack of pace (bad). I can (begin to?) emotionally handle the bad if it is only one of the three, all of them combined, that's a lot to ask.

Again, I know she's new to the team etc etc, and if we're giving a pass to Chawinga we have to extend the same courtesy to Tarciane. I'm the first to admit that. But we've gotten to the point where we are now asking Chawinga to justify her price tag, and I think that after a certain amount of time has passed, we can do the same with Tarciane. That being said, as with Chawinga, that grace period is not indefinite.

Let's discuss the rest of the back line. I'm not thrilled with Endler's defending for the goal but I will acknowledge there was little she could have done about it either. The rest of the time she stayed aware of what was going on. Sometimes it's hard being a goalkeeper for Lyon because you have to pay attention even when your team has 75 percent possession and is taking out their frustration over having a bad day/week on their opponents. The only thing worse than playing Lyon when they are in a good mood is playing them when they are in a bad mood.

The cosmic balance of the universe was momentarily upset when Carpenter scored two (2) goals, but I will flag that that was in league play, because she's scored in penalty shootouts for Lyon as well albeit in the Coupe de France. So while she hasn't scored in the league since September 2020, the overall goal drought isn't that bad (penalty shootout against State de Reims). Now that I think about it, I think 75 percent of the (in-season) goals Carpenter has scored have been against Reims. And to think people say I have a vendetta against development clubs...

Renard and Bacha were good even if, I have to say, I expected a bit better from Bacha. That being said, and I really think this applies to Lyon players across the board, playing competitive games once every two weeks since mid-January has absolutely killed their rhythm. I'm glad they are back to their "preferred" routine of playing every three days because lord knows they need the mental stimulation to actually be invested in the outcome.

Midfield: better top up your wine because boy do I have lots to say about this. The first thing is, and I swear to god I am so resentful of the Twitter armchair analysts for making me say this, but they have got to lay off Horan because the cherrypicking is driving me nuts. If you attack one player then you have to use that same criteria for players across the board. It's unfair, and in bad faith, to hold one player to a certain standard and knowingly and willfully turn a blind eye to others simply because it doesn't fit your agenda. And I say this as a certified Becho hater.

I've bitched about it before and I'll continue bitching about it. There are precisely two (2) scenarios in which Horan/Heaps leaves before her contract is up: (1) she decides she wants to break her contract early so she can be closer to Tyler; (2) the locker room kicks her out. She said recently in an interview that she enjoys playing in Europe; I really struggle to believe Renard and Hegerberg can be convinced to throw Horan/Heaps out but I guess you could always shoot them a DM and see what happens. Can't say I am confident in your success rate though.

All that to say basically that all the bitching and moaning about selling Horan this summer is in such bad faith, and quite honestly is getting to the point where it is both annoying and harassment. Unless one of those two scenarios are met, Horan/Heaps isn't going to leave. Accept it and move. the. fuck. on.

Especially - and honestly this is really what grinds my gears - Horan/Heaps' stats aren't bad. They're actually really good. We are looking at 11 goals/7 assists in league play. Really decent stats for an attacking midfielder, it's in line with what you should want/expect from a player in that position. What are you contributing to the team? Are they winning because of you? Horan can provide actually evidence that she has an influence over the outcome of games. That matters.

That's also not to say that she always puts in flawless performances, far from it. I'll even say that the game against Reims was probably the worse of the season, and this is a game where she contributes with one (maybe two?) assists. She was borderline invisible for the entire game but holy shit how can you argue with a straight face that she was the worse player when you have Tarciane directly responsible for the goal. This is what I mean by so much of the harassment - and let's be honest and call it what it is - of Horan/Heaps is in such bad faith. Horan had a bad game. Tarciane's was worse. Yet the Twitter armchair analysts are only picking on the former.

It's honestly really infuriating to me that Horan/Heaps gets so much shit while others, whose contributions are statistically worse, get an eternal free pass. Want to slam Horan for missing easy chances? That's fine, have at it. But why is an attacking midfielder getting shit for missing whereas a forward who has scored two (2) goals the entire season getting a free pass? Like explain this to me because Horan/Heaps' stats are within the ball park of an attacking midfielder. Said alleged forward's contributions, not so much. Why are the standards different here?

Because I can make a real case as to why Becho shouldn't be starting. I can make a case that Lyon's worse performances of the season have been when she is starting. I can make that case and I have the stats to back it up. So if you're going to argue, well Horan/Heaps makes Lyon worse", the question I am going to have to ask is how does winning make a team worse.

Does pretty football matter to me? Yeah, absolutely. But let's talk priorities: I want to win. Win first and then we can talk about aesthetics. Of course I want to see my team play pretty football but my interest first and foremost is getting the win. Then we can hash out the details.

The insistence, too, that Horan/Heaps is making Lyon's style of play into some sort of horror show is so completely disingenuous as well. Want to see what Lyon looks like when their midfield is a horror show? You don't even have to look that far back! Look at how things were under Vasseur (Horan wasn't there yet, so what's the excuse there?) Look at how Lyon was playing January - May 2024, after Bompastor lost the locker room. You're seriously going to put that on Horan/Heaps? Come on now.

Bad faith arguments genuinely, genuinely irritate me. They really do.

With that out of the way... Let's talk about the good stuff.

I refuse to say that Hegerberg is back, but I will say #monsters recognize monsters. Again, the whole fake outrage re Montemurro really irks me because all you have to do is listen to his press conferences and you get that Norway has asked her to be on managed minutes, which Lyon agreed to. Also Lyon has historically always been extremely cagey when it comes to disclosing the extent of any of her injuries - they tend to be tight lipped about their players in general but it borders on extreme when it comes to Hegerberg. So I don't think there's any grand conspiracy between Montemurro and Hegerberg, just managed minutes and Lyon not disclosing the extent of an injury. Boring but actually in line with things.

I'm glad she scored a brace and had an assist as well. Hegerberg plays at her best when she is vexed. I'm not sure if Lyon brought that out in her or if maybe she brought it out in Lyon, maybe a bit of both. But she is their loyal mercenary and I do love that about her. A vexed, vengeful Hegerberg is truly a delight to watch.

I'm glad Carpenter scored but more than that I am so glad for Huerta. I don't want to say there was necessarily surprise when Lyon signed Huerta, even when she disclosed that the negotiations had been going on for a year and people only found out about it when she announced it during the presentation. Huerta isn't flashy by any means. But what she is is consistent. You get a player who keeps her head down, doesn't put up a fuss, and just stays within the perimeters of her job description. She is very, very similar to Svava in that way.

And you know what both Huerta and Svava have done? Their consistency has forced Carpenter and Bacha to step it up respectively, and I think that is a really, really good thing. Competition is important. Huerta was outright brought in to play backup for Carpenter and that has forced Carpenter to step up her game, be more precise, be better in a lot of ways. I'm always going to be in favor of a player having to do more because their spot is up for grabs. It's the same with Svava/Bacha: Bacha has realized Lyon can deal fine if Svava starts, and that is making Bacha have to apply herself more.

I don't know what Lyon is going to do about Huerta once the year is up. She'll probably go back to Seattle, and is fully entitled to do so, but I think finding a similar replacement - a right back who knows they are there for cover but still gets the job done - will be really hard to find.

Damaris getting knocked around a bit really confirms that Lyon needs to do something about the DM situation. Our only pure DM cannot be Damaris and a prayer that Dabritz extends (@god I will do anything for that to happen, I'll go to church, I'll cut down on Starbucks, just name your price).

Lyon also got physical with Reims, which made me smile a little because it was really Lyon just being in a bad mood and taking it out on Reims. Dabritz got into scraps, Carpenter was scrapping as well. Lyon was just in a bad mood and "weaker" players got the brunt of it.

So overall I'm not thrilled with the goal we conceded but you could tell there was just general match rust from not having played a league game in two weeks. It's not the ugliest game they've played, not the prettiest, but we'll see if Lyon just needed to shake off the cobwebs before playing against Bayern.

I think it will be a good game, and anyone predicting one side over the other feels a bit disingenuous. Harder is playing like the player she actually is, you can't underestimate her or her hatred of Lyon. There's a history of bad blood between the two, but in a really good way because their dislike of each other brings out the best in them too. Lyon will be back to their preferred defense, and we do have to acknowledge how good it's been this season, but Bayern will truly test it. And the reverse works too - Bayern will have to deal with one of the best defenses in Europe belonging to a team who genuinely enjoys duking it out with a player they don't like.

[redwineconversation]

Wendie Renard OLPlay Interview (October 15, 2024)

Interview took place back in October but I only finished translating it now because I actually have a life jk I have billable hours I have to meet if I want to stay employed. So a lot of the stuff might be a little out of date, y'all just have to deal with it.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms Dept it's rainy and chilly pls contribute towards my Starbucks fund; I'm not sure even the most qualified therapist could solve some of y'alls parasocial relationship issues you are that CREEPY AND WEIRD; y'all know the speech by now.

A good and proper chat with Lyon's renown Bad Catholic. This is what Lyon is actually about: a football player talking about what makes them, well, a bad Catholic football player. Imagine not pouring yourself a glass of wine and having a good and proper chat with Renard. Wouldn't know, couldn't be me.

I also cannot emphasize how time consuming translating an hour-long segment actually is for those of us who are functioning adults with full time jobs. Lyon should really be sending me a bottle of Zinfandel (Sextant, 2008) for doing this shit.

Finally, and I know this is a weird thing to have a beef about, but I cannot emphasize enough how much I CANNOT STAND when people say/write "OL" instead of Lyon. This is a hill I will die on.

WENDIE RENARD OLPLAY INTERVIEW

[opening segment]

Journalist: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to OLPlay. I'm delighted to welcome you once again. There's an extra thing tonight, I'm smiling about it, I'm happy. I talked to you about it yesterday, you've been waiting for it, we've been talking about it on social media. Today we have a special guest. She is a figurehead at Olympique Lyonnais, for women's football in France, for women's football in Europe, for women's football worldwide. She is a figurehead for football in the purest sense of the term. I'm really, really to announce - and it's not Jules Cross - it's Wendie Renard who is with us tonight. Good evening, Wendie. I'm really happy to have you here tonight.

Renard: Thank you. I'm really happy as well, thank you for having me. I'm eager to spending some time with you.

Journalist: Usually I like to pick the intro music based on whose birthday it is that day. Today, just for you, and I know it will make you happy, I chose music from Martinique.

Renard: That's it, this is the core. It reminds me of my roots. So I'm really happy to have this intro music. It makes me happy.

Journalist: If I let it run too long, will you start dancing?

Renard: [laughs]

Jules: Let it play, let it play. We can play MMMBop afterwards.

Journalist: We had Melchie [Dumornay] on after the Trophee des Championnes, and it was Jocelyne Béroard's [Martinique singer] birthday. I put the music on, we lost Melchie. She started dancing.

Renard: I can't blame her, Jocelyne makes good music. Whenever we hear music our body just takes over. It gets a mind of its own. That's our nature.

Journalist: In any case, welcome, Wendie. Obviously Jule Cross is here too. Good evening, Jule.

Jule: Good evening. Good evening, Wendie. Good evening everybody. I am happy to be here and to listen to music from Martinique, that's always good.

Journalist: We have been trying to get Wendie for a while. Jule and I brainstormed what we will be talking abut, there will be some surprises. We will talk about what's coming up, that's the game against Wolfsburg and we will end on the calendar, with the UWCL and the league. There's a lot of games. And we will get to know Wendie a little bit better as well. We will talk about her career so far, Renard 2027 and I am not talking about the elections, it's her extension.

Jules: Why not? We never know.

Renard: No, no.

Journalist: We will begin with the start of the season. It's a good start to the season in the league and the UWCL. Playing in the UWCL again. Anyways. There is a lot coming up. We are going to spend an hour with Wendie. And to be sure, Wendie, we've wanted you on the show for such a long time. We know you are so used to interviews, we know you are used to interview segments. So I want to start with a questionnaire to avoid any cliches and so you can point me in the right direction for the upcoming topics. So it's simple. So I will give you themes and you will have to tell me which question you hate, which one you don't want to hear anymore, and which one you'd like to be asked. Very simple. Here's the first theme: press conferences. What is the question you'd like to ban from press conferences and which one are you never asked?

Renard: Wow. One I'd like to never be asked again?

Journalist: Or an annoying question.

Jules: This is actually a philosophy exam.

Renard: [laughs] And it will last three hours. [this is a joke about the French baccalaureate] No, usually it's fine. Honestly it's fine. There aren't any questions. You know when you get to this level that journalists have certain criteria they have to meet. So you need to know how to answer them. So off the top of my head, no, I can't think of any questions I don't like being asked.

Journalist: Even after games? Are there questions when you've just finished the game, you haven't even caught your breath and they're putting a microphone in your face, and they're like "well? What are your thoughts on the game?" Is it the same, are there questions you're tired of being asked?

Renard: I think it depends on how the game went. It's easier when we've won. When you've lost, and depending on how you lost, then obviously yeah, it's hard. But it's a bit trivial at the end of the day. It's always the same questions at the end of the day, before or after the game.

Journalist: Is there a question where you're like "oh god, here we go again" and you already have your answer prepared?

Renard: No. Honestly, no. It's fine.

Journalist: And if I broaden the scope, if we're talking about women's football as a whole, are there questions where you're like "god, that's so cliche, can't you ask something else?"

Renard: Yeah, there are definitely cliches. It's often the same phrases which come up when it comes to women playing football. But beyond that, I think that I don't really pay that much attention to it these days because I know the opportunities the club [Olympique Lyonnais] gave me, but also worldwide. There are real opportunities out there for women. So you can't let that get to you. I just hope that those people who say those things, I hope they have daughters and they say to him "daddy, I want to play football."

Journalist: And when people are talking to you in interviews, whether it's about Martinique or yourself, doesn't matter, are there questions you would like to be asked and are there questions where you're like "you've asked me this 100 times, this is getting ridiculous"?

Renard: Yeah. "What is there in Martinique?" [imitating a journalist] What is there to do in Martinique? Well there's everything. You're on an island, there's lots of things to do. It's a beautiful island. I would encourage people to go.

Journalist: So what is there?

Renard: A lot of things. There's a lot of things. My roots are there. There's the volcano, there's the ocean, black sand, white sand. There's a lot to discover.

Jules: There's everything.

Journalist: There are also a lot of memories for you.

Renard: But it also depends on what you like to do when you're on vacation. Everyone has to make their own choice. But in any case, I relax and recover when I go home.

Journalist: Do you invite players over to visit you?

Renard: Yeah, I've brought teammates with me. They dug it by the way, they want to come back. Others want to come too. So now we need to find the right time.

Jules: The tourism office will be in touch.

Journalist: It's a bit your role.

Jules: Like an influencer.

Renard: Not an influencer. But they know. But like I've said, it's always better when you go explore a country or an island to be with someone who knows it, that way you're not wasting any time. You're going straight to where it's beautiful. You're doing cool shit, you've planned it all out. So that's good. It's better.

Journalist: I see which direction we can go for the questions, and where we can't go. [to Jules] We can scratch a couple of our talking points, it's too cliche.

Renard: No, it's okay, it's okay.

Journalist: Here are the themes we will talking about. What life is like on the pitch, your life journey so far, and obviously Martinique. Let's talk about what happened most recently. The league last weekend, there was that away game against Dijon and we will go over where we are in the calendar, or rather in the rankings, Jules, with Lyon in its traditional spot. [note: this discussion took place a while ago so the hierarchy has changed a bit but Lyon is still first]

Jules: Yes, you had let Paris FC take top spot after the first league day on goal difference, but now you are on equal points with Paris Saint-Germain but are still ahead on goal differential. You're also ahead of the surprise team of the moment, Saint-Etienne [ASSE], whom you will be playing against in a few weeks. And then there's Paris FC. We've talked a lot about the perfect start to the season, Wendie, with four cleans sheets, a new formation put in place by Joe Montemurro. For the moment, everything is going perfectly.

Renard: Yeah, I think everything is perfect in terms of rankings and results. Now that being said, for sure in terms of the game, with the new coach, there's still some stuff to work on. For instance his game plan, you can see there's some small adjustments to make.

Jules: Yeah, there were a lot of experiments, a lot of changes, a lot of turnover.

Renard: Exactly. And I think that since the start of the season, I don't think the coach has had - okay for a few weeks now he has had the entire team to work with.

Jule: It was the case with you. You came in late, you didn't do the preseason.

Renard: Yeah, I didn't take part in preseason. At the start we were playing with three at the back, now it's four at the back. So you have to get your bearings depending on which player you have next to you, in front or behind, it's not the same thing. But yeah, I think that on the whole everyone is on the same wavelength. We're working well, everyone is having a good time. So the future is pretty positive.

Journalist: The question is when you're a player like you are, you've been here 18 years. You've had several coaches. Is it easier to change coaches when you have experience or is it the other way, you're too used to things and you're like "I have to put in some more effort." You were talking about playing in a back three instead of a back four. Do you think it's easier or harder?

Renard: No, there isn't an easier or harder. There's just personal growth and then collective growth because expectations are different even if football remains the same, meaning that we all want to win. But after that there are expectations and that's normal for coaches and staff. But for me personally, it's about good to have the new coach because first of all he is a foreigner. He speaks English so being French, it allows me to work on my English on a daily basis. Beyond that, even in the way of the mentality, that's different as well. You are always learning, there isn't an age cut-off. Learning doesn't stop at a certain age.

Journalist: Let's not talk about age.

Renard: Yeah. No, actually, I'm part of the older players. I'm not denying that. But when you're on the pitch, you need to do the work.

Journalist: Speaking of the pitch. Back three, back four. In terms of the playing mentality, controlling ball possession. For the outside one could say that the back three is when you want to keep the ball and a back four is when you think there is a stronger opposition? Is that the idea?

Renard: No, that's not how the coach determines it.

Jules: You played with a back four against Galatarasay.

Renard: Yeah, we played with a back four then. That being said, there were several reasons for that. But beyond that, no, I think that from the moment it's understood and that everyone is "100 percent physically fit", I think anything is possible. Now as I said, sometimes we can start with a back four and then you pause it and we're in a back three. Sometimes even a back two. So it doesn't mean anything. There's a positioning at the start. If you go back a few years, we were playing in a back three in the Gerard Precheur era. So it doesn't mean anything. It's a formation question and communication between the players on the field and how they adapt. And I think it's rather interesting when you look at our start to the season. There's still some things to work on especially defensively like not gifting opponents chances.

Jules: Staying on the topic of formation, if you do a freeze frame sometimes we feel there are only two defenders back because you might have Damaris who drops back with you or Vanessa Gilles and you have Sofie Svava and Ellie Carpenter who are more attack oriented. They really move up a lot. Is it difficult for you to handle the fact that while Lyon is a really attacking team, there are times when it's almost solely focused on the attack.

Renard: We're a really, really attacking team. Yeah, there's a lot of offensive. But I think it's also a bit of our role as central defenders to call them back. They [Carpenter and Svava] have the profile of players who overlap. They have a tendency to make themselves open whereas we have to bring a sense of serenity in defense. There has to be a balance in the team. That's why I said there are still some things to work on. And now we're approaching the big games, important games even if really all games are important since the start of the season. But I will say the UWCL is on another level.

Jules: It shows where you are in terms of the level.

Renard: That's it. So we need to take it seriously, look at each other eye to eye. We need to be stable defensively because it's important.

Journalist: Earlier you said you need to be physically 100 percent. Where are you in terms of preparation? Because I think you missed the start. Are you 100 percent now? Is there still a bit to go? How do you feel?

Renard: No, I think there are still some things - I'm thinking specifically of acceleration, sprints, that needs to come back naturally. But in any case, no, I feel really good. I worked hard. It's true that it was a bit frustrating for me to miss the start of the season. But in any case, the staff, the medical staff, we all took the time so I wouldn't relapse later in the season. Today I am feeling good physically. And I am improving every day because the more games you play, the better you feel.

Journalist: And still the same desire to win everything?

Renard: Always. It's innate.

Journalist: In terms of margins of progression, you said there are readjudmemnts to make. There is that adversity, we scored six goals in the first game, six goals in the second. Are there still changes to be made when you are dominating like that? You're paying attention to every detail. When it comes to the details for the work to be done, how much time do you need? And what are those details?

Renard: Each game reveals its own truth. But as the coach says, and as we say to each other, is that today we have high ambitions. So we're not basing it on this game or that game. We know where we want to go. We work on ourselves as individuals but also as a collective because as I said, there are readjustments to make. We need to be able to keep the same rhythm, control the game. And you can see sometimes in the second half that it goes all over the place because sometimes there is space and you want to take advantage of it but we should have better ball control.

Jules: It's been nothing but clean sheets since the beginning of the season.

Renard: Yeah, apart from the first game.

Journalist: It was a tennis score, 6-2 first set, 6-0 second set.

Renard: You could see after the first game, we made some readjustments. When we watched the video, there were readjustments made by the coach, it came from us as well. But it's about not gifting opportunities and precisely that, not allowing the opposition to think that it's possible [to create chances]. So we need to be rigorous, and yeah. Stay concentrated.

Journalist: We're looking at training footage now. You know how to train by yourself. You know where you're at with the schedule. Is that something you share with the young players? Do you tell them "it's okay, take another week or two, it'll be much better in the long run"? As athletes get older, the coach might give some advice, but they know where they are at.

Renard: Yes, of course. Obviously you get more experience as you get older. You become more mature. Your body feels more as well. So I try to - well I do it naturally - but I try to tell the younger players that it's important, that if the medical staff or the coach decide not to play you in a game, or if they're like "well you have a small injury, you feel fine and you want to play but it's better to wait", that's not for nothing. So for things like that, I think it's important because the younger players and myself, with a bit of hindsight, there's maybe a couple of things I should have been more cool about, be more patient. I can look at it in hindsight be like it was what it was, and that's what allows me to tell younger players to be careful.

Journalist: Have you become more patient with time?

Renard: I take more time even if it's frustrating. I take more time because it's better that it's healed well so that when you return to play, everything's good, rather than trying to shave off two or three days, weeks, and then you relapse in four months.

Jule: Speaking of injuries and healing well, you had a pretty serious injury at the end of last year, last December, I believe you were sidelined for around three months. Do you think that as you said, with experience, you took a bit more time than if you had gotten that injury maybe 10 years ago? Would you have rushed your return to the pitch? Here we get the impression that you wanted to play it safe. You missed some UWCL games, you returned to league play, you missed the quarterfinal against Benfica. We get the impression you wanted to pace yourself because it's a marathon.

Renard: Yes, it's a marathon but here the difference is that I was operated on.

Jules: Yeah. And that means having to play it safe.

Renard: There has to be a time for the scars to heal, you have to respect the timeframe.

Jules: You didn't want to cut any corners?

Renard: No, I didn't want to because of where the injury was, I didn't want there to be a relapse, especially because it's my shooting leg, the one I prefer on the daily, in all the gestures. I didn't want there to be any issues later on, especially any problems after. So the staff and I were very clear from the beginning, I was very clear about it. I've always said about my injuries that I want to come back like I never had anything. So yeah, I take my time even if I said sometimes it's frustrating when you see your teammates play, practice, they come back and you're in the gym doing rehab. They come back all smiley.

Jule: You missed important games.

Renard: And you say to yourself - yes, important games as well. But beyond that, you need to know how to take care of your body. And the period where I came back, it was a bit delicate because we were playing a lot of big games and it was difficult for the coach at the time to manage giving me playing time and also perform well. I understood that completely.

Journalist: We saw the picture of you in the hospital bed giving a thumbs up. We saw a similar picture recently with Selma Bacha. So the comeback can also help Selma. But let's go back to a lighter topic. We have some surprises for the show, some questions from Wendie's teammates.

Renard: No funny business.

Journalist: You'll have to find out. The first one isn't the most serious, you'll have to be careful with her questions. We vetted it. Lindsey Horan is asking the first question.

Renard: I'm fearing the worse.

Horan: Hi, Wendie. I would like you to tell the public what my nickname for you is and what your nickname for me is. Thank you, I love you.

Renard: [laughs hysterically]

Jules: I feel there's an oppo file here.

Journalist: It's a nice question, it's a good question. It's not an offensive question. However can we share the answer or not?

Renard: I would say thankfully - [starts wheezing she is laughing so hard]

Journalist: There's blackmail material for sure.

Renard: No, Lindsey [Horan] is joking. But she calls me "my heart". But I said to her, look, your heart belongs to Tyler [Horan's husband]. So I said to her, look you have to stop at some point. So she teases me a bit about that. And when she says she loves me, I don't respond. "I don't love you."

Journalist: So that's why she signed off like that.

Renard: Yeah, "I don't love you." We joke about that. But she knows full well I appreciate her as a person, I appreciate the woman that she is, I appreciate the footballer. So yeah. She's someone who is important in the team, she brings a joy of life. So yeah. Thank you!

Journalist: It really made you smile. We have other questions as well. We asked our followers on OLPlay on Instagram to submit questions for you. We'll start with the first questions, Jules.

Jules: Yeah, we'll return to life on the pitch, how you do things. What is your ritual for the night before the game? Or a pregame ritual? Are you a bit superstitious? Are there things you do regularly?

Renard: No, I don't really have rituals. But I have my habits which we develop over time. But beyond that, no, not really. Stay focused, log off, go on the bike.

Jules: We know you tidy the locker room a lot.

Renard: Yeah. I'm a bit manic about it. They've always said when you're in a messy place - I don't feel good when it's messy. So I do it because it really bothers me.

Jules: Who is next to you in the locker room?

Renard: Alice. Alice Sombath. But it's fine. She's organized.

Jules: She doesn't have a choice.

Renard: But sometimes there are socks which are left out.

Jules: Oh lord.

Journalist: Who do you have to look out for? Who doesn't tidy up after themselves? Can you give us some names? Or is it secret?

Renard: No. There aren't any, no. No, it's okay. Overall it's okay. There are two or three who sometimes - it depends.

Jules: Is there a to-do list? A process in the locker room to keep it tidy?

Journalist: You were talking about routines, about staying focused. Part of your routine, disconnecting, that's a part of your focus. We could consider that a ritual without talking about superstition or whatever. We're still focusing the same way when you're at that level. For you personally, do you have a precise order? How much time do you need to get ready? Maybe that's what the question was getting at. How much time from "I am outside of the game" and "my head is in the game"?

Renard: [shakes her head] For me, as soon as it's game day, that's it, I'm in the zone. Even the night before, I feel like there is a certain preparation, there's a certain "feeling" to have as well. There are things you feel with experience, as I was saying. You feel things more. So even the day before, everything depends on how the week went, how much rest you've gotten, how much is left in the tank, how tired you are. So, yeah. Beyond that, it's actually pretty natural. Game day, that's it, I'm in the zone.

Journalist: So if it starts the day before the game, can we say it's a ritual for you? You know what you're going to do, you know how much sleep to get, you know what to do on game day. Is it that order, that structure, which allows you to -

Renard: I just know how to do it.

Journalist: That's it, that's the top level. That's the answer to the question.

Renard: It's kind of like a ritual.

Journalist: Yeah, yeah. They're rituals. Let's talk about the news which dropped in September this year, that's the contract extension. You're going to continue the adventure with Olympique Lyonnais. We knew you were going to be here until at least 2026. But Jule, we gained another year here because it's to 2027.

Jules: To 2027, indeed. Still not a candidate in the elections but we'll leave it at that. [Note: French presidential elections are in 2027] We need to be focused on football.

Journalist: The show isn't over. We could still have an announcement.

Jules: Stay tuned until the end of the show. In 2027 you will have been here at Olympique Lyonnais for 21 years. That's enormous in terms of longevity, be it in women's football or men's football. It's really complicated to see that. Did you imagine in 2006 that you would spend your entire [football] life here?

Renard: Honestly, no because - well I'm going to say it, I've come from far away.

Jules: There is that.

Renard: There's that. Very far away.

Jules: Is it hard to see -

Renard: And it was very difficult to see ahead and imagine it being like this. That being said, I owe it to the people who always believed in me, to President Jean-Michel Aulas and his team because he wasn't by himself all these years. So yeah, I've met some nice people, all the staff I've known, all the teammates who have taught me a lot from when I first came in 2006. I've played with very good players so, yeah. All that means that - and when you win you have really high expectations. That really suits me because I am someone who is really hard on themselves. So in light of all that, I feel good, we're winning trophies. And for me each season reveals its own truth. I have to ask questions of myself each time.

Journalist: You said you're hard on yourself. Can we have an example for something where you're really nitpicking the minute details and say to yourself "that is absolutely unacceptable for me, I need it to be perfect"?

Renard: Practically speaking, take for example a game where we can win and sometimes you say "yeah, but you're dominating all the time, etc etc, aren't you bored of that?" No. There's always something to work on during a game. Typically I can go onto the field and say to myself "today I want you to - I want you complete five good deep crosses, find the player, break lines".

Journalist: So it's giving yourself objectives in a game, even if you're dominating, and make sure it's perfect going forward.

Renard: If we're working on something and it's not going well, and we're pressing higher to attack better - it's those things which I learnt from previous coaches at Lyon. Give yourself objectives on the pitch during a game. And then afterwards during the video analysis, because I'm someone who likes to watch back my game on film, that's when I am hardest on myself. I'm like "no, Wendie, you sucked there. You can't be doing that."

Journalist: We're always hardest on ourselves when we see our mistakes during our game day video analysis. It's not easy.

Renard: It's not easy but it's a part of playing at the top level, being able to recognize your mistakes. We're not perfect. If we were it would be too easy. So we make mistakes. And sometimes the opponent pushes us to make mistakes as well, so...

Journalist: And those standards lead to impressive numbers. At the end of your contract, you would have been here for 21 years. That means those statistics will go up even more. Jules, we're on to something monumental.

Jules: We tried to summarize your career at Lyon, Wendie. We had to use two graphics. It's a little complicated. Let's start with your achievements. 17 league titles, 10 Coupe de France, 8 Champions League, 3 Trophee des Championnes. As you said, there are very high standards. You're always in the mix, always looking to do better. We get the impression that sometimes it can get a little complicated, that it becomes routine, there is an element of complatency. But I feel like that's not the case. Is it always the same feeling when you lift the trophy?

Renard: Yeah, it's always the same feeling. It doesn't become routine.

Journalist: Well it's a little bit routine, you always do the same celebration.

Renard: Yeah, well, that's normal. You have to hype up your teammates. We had to fight, now it's time to celebrate.

Jules: Those stats were for the collective. Now we're going to look at personal stats. This is simply exceptional. 481 games played, that's the overall number, you've played 305 as captain. That ratio isn't bad. You've scored 152 goals. This is probably my favorite part, for the moment you've scored 99 goals in league games. I really, really want the 100th to come quickly.

Journalist: So I'm going to tempt fate a little. Last year we had Euge[nie Le Sommer] on the show before she scored her 300th goal.

Renard: Okay.

Journalist: Jule was pestering her for about three months. He was telling her, "look, the goals will come, I want them to come."

Jules: I wanted the 300th goal to come in the 400th game.

Renard: So you harassed her, got it.

Journalist: She just need 10 goals when she came on the show. She had to score them quickly. So.. Look you need to get that [100th] goal out of the way sooner rather than later because he can be really annoying.

Jules: Just get it over with so we can put it behind us.

Renard: Look if the opportunity presents itself, I'm not going to say no.

Jules: Think of me, that will make me happy.

Journalist: Speaking of Eugenie, you're at 481 games. Eugenie isn't that far behind. Did you extend just so you can stay ahead?

Renard: No, honestly no. I remember when we played against Montpellier, they were chanting my name along with Ellie's. I didn't know why, I thought it was because I was back with the team [post injury]. They're just happy about that. And then I found out it was my 300th [league] game.

Jules: It's a nice round number. I like that.

Renard: There are moments where you're not aware. As I said, I keep playing games and I play season after season. But I don't pay attention to the numbers. But now that I have the information... I'm going to do everything to score that 100th goal.

Journalist: That will make him happy. We've talked about hard work, we've talked about demands and expectations. We've seen all the statistics. We went digging in our archives and we found a young Wendie Renard who talked about the improvements she had to make. [to Renard] You can cover your ears if you don't want to watch.

Renard: No, no, it's a part of life.

Journalist: Do you think you've improved since you've arrived at Lyon? Renard: I wouldn't be here otherwise. I think I would have been kicked out already. Journalist: What do you need to improve on? Renard: Headers first of all. And I need to gain more experience.

Journalist: That interview dates back to 2009. We heard you say you need to improve on headers and gain experience. Do you think you've improved enough? Would you say to yourself, "don't worry, you've improved enough."

Renard: Yes, experience is brought through achievements as my team likes to say. When I was starting, there were times when I was naive. But I learned a lot through a forward named Katia, and a lot from Lotta Schelin. Those were two players, two forwards who did so much for me in terms of what types of players they were. For me Lotta was the best in terms of how she wanted the ball, finding space behind, how to find the pass. And then Katia, how she could play with her back to goal, what she could do physically. I learned so, so much from those two players. So that's why I said that, because I remember that very clearly. And yeah. I was a bit naive, so that's why I said I needed to gain experience. But I think also at that point in time I had other margins of improvement.

Journalist: You practiced headers with one of the men's players, or so I've heard.

Renard: Yeah.

Journalist: Were those individual sessions?

Renard: Well he was a goalkeeper. So sometimes when we both had days off, we would go practice. Sometimes he would send in crosses, I had another guy friend who came as well, he would send in crosses as well. And it was mainly about reading the trajectory, knowing the right time to jump. And respecting the ball, because headers -

Journalist: We're starting to believe that being 1m87 [6ft1 for those who don't believe in meters] makes things easier.

Jules: But it's actually a question of timing.

Renard: Yeah, that really annoys me I've got to say.

Journalist: So that's one of things we shouldn't ask, got it.

Renard: It annoys me. Because I'm tall I score goals? Yes, it helps, but that's not everything. I've seen forwards be it with the men or - actually a little less on the women's side - but I've seen really tall forwards but they haven't scored a lot of headers. Let's take Eugenie as an example. Euge[nie], she's really, really good at headers. Height isn't everything. You have to know how to read the trajectory, you have to jump at the right time and after, you have to direct it.

Journalist: Yes, Eugenie is just a bit shorter than you, [sarcastically] I think she's 1m85 [6ft]. [Le Sommer is 1m60, 5ft3].

Renard: But she's incredible at headers. So it's timing, it's a lot of things. And that's why when you hear "you score because you tower over everyone" - yes, it can help, but it's not everything.

Jules: In the clip that we showed, I'm not sure if the audience caught it, but you were basically like I sucked at the time. Did you do all that work because you were asked to or was that a challenge you set for yourself as you've said before?

Renard: When at the time with Farid Benstiti, when I first started - when I first came I was at 1m82, 1m83. And really in terms of coordination, I sucked. No, really. And he made me aware it was something to work on because there was something there. So I set to work. I was working on it in practice with him and then I was doing more work on my days off.

Jules: When he said there was something to work on, was he talking offensively or defensively?

Renard: Both. Both, because headers - first of all I'm a defender, so it was important defensively. And then obviously if I'm confident doing headers in defense, then - if I can read the trajectory correctly when I am defending, then I can do it on offense as well.

Jule: You're in the top 6 for most goals scored with the club. A lot of those were headers.

Journalist: We've talked about Farid Benstiti. I have some photos for you of different coaches who have been with Olympique Lyonnais. I'll put up the picture and you have to say a quick word about them. It'll be quick so we can move on to other things. But we can always circle back if there are things you want to elaborate on. Let's start with Farid Benstiti, he was head coach at Olympique Lyonnais from 2004 to 2010.

Renard: [big sigh] Well, he was the first one to want me at Lyon. He was the one who said yes when I was trying out. So he will have my respect, my gratitude for life.

Journalist: Second coach, it's Patrice Lair, 2010 - 2014.

Renard: Really tough. Really tough but he was the one who made me realize what the top, top level is like. And also if I want to do this over a long period of time, what I need to put in place in order to succeed. Especially mentally and repetition of things. I really learnt a lot from him.

Journalist: And you had to play against him later on when he coached Paris Saint-Germain. After, we jump to 2017 with Reynald Pedros.

Renard: I think - I think it was a little - isn't there -?

Journalist: Yes, sorry, I skipped a line. I skipped one. Before Reynald Pedros there was Gerard Precheur. When I said he went to Paris Saint-Germain I was thinking of Gerard Precheur.

Renard: With Gerard, I learnt - I learnt football. We can say it like that. But in a good way, in terms of tactics, playing as a team was just so impressive, playing for each other. He really is someone who knows football down to a millimeter. When I say that I'm not joking around. I learnt a lot, it was three exceptional years with him. The first year we did a double, then it was triple, triple. So it's also - I learnt a lot from him and I think from a team standpoint a lot of players will say the same.

Journalist: I had asked for a quick word.

Renard: Sorry.

Journalist: We'll move on to the next one. From 2017 to 2019 it's Reynald Pedros.

Renard: As a coach, Pedros.. Same thing. I want to say that in his approach to the top level, because he knew it as well, it was about giving us a lot of confidence to play the way we wanted. It was following on what Gerard had built. But the playing style was much more direct.

Journalist: It's the period of adaptation that we were talking about earlier. After that it's Jean-Luc Vasseur, who was there from 2019 to 2021.

Renard: With Jean-Luc I think it was a little... It was a bit difficult with him. But the principles were pretty clear, it was based on the team, defend well, and then use the counter attack. But generally speaking, every coach had their own style of play. They brought in different systems as well. You have to be able to adapt. But in terms of style of play I think we weren't dominating as much. We weren't dominating much and he wanted a direct style of play.

Journalist: And then it's Sonia Bompastor, who left at the end of last season.

Renard: Sonia is about expectations, standards. You have to kill the opponent. Kill the game at the first opportunity. Camille [Abily], her assistant, was focused on positioning. So there were times we didn't have the ball. But she is someone who is about expectations.

Journalist: And who likes to win.

Renard: And likes to win, obviously.

Journalist: You've played with her as a teammate. Who wants to win more, Wendie Renard or Sonia Bompastor?

Renard: It got heated. It got heated but it wasn't just the two of us. But I learnt a lot from her because I was really young when I arrived and Sonia was already an experienced player. So whether it was with the national team or here at Lyon, I learnt a lot from her professionalism and how to prepare for things.

Jules: In terms of cliches that you don't want to hear anymore, like "you're tall so it is easier to score", we often hear that it's easy for coaches to come to Lyon. It's easy because they're obviously going to win. But we saw with each coach that came in, there was an analysis on the tactics. It's a new cycle every time and it's not just arriving at Lyon and putting your feet up. There's actual work involved.

Renard: No, as I've said, each person has their own personality. Every person has their own way of thinking and of seeing things in football. And it's hard depending on the team you have, the players, the profile... Like when you have players who like to do something with the ball but you're asking for a more direct style of play, there can be some conflict. But as I said, it's about adapting. Football today means you have to be able to adapt.

Jules: Who has to adapt more? The players to the coach or the coach to the players?

Renard: No, I think that when the coach comes in and his ideas are clear, everyone adapts to him. That's a certainty. Then as the season progresses, if there are difficulties in winning games or - we try something as a team because we're all in the same boat, we all want to win. So you try to find areas you can adjust. At the end of the day it's the coach who decides on the style of play. Us as players we have to follow that.

Journalist: We just went through all the years with those coaches. Now we're going to move on. We actually have questions from Instagram. It's a rather precise question about all your years here. Jule?

Jule: You've been here since 2006, we're now in October 2024, you extended through 2027. Someone on Instagram asked, have you ever seriously considered leaving Lyon? What convinced you to stay?

Renard: Yes. In 2008, 2009, before signing my first professional contract, I was going to go to university in Canada. Unfortunately, I guess, it didn't happen because the president [Jean-Michel Aulas] - okay here the anecdote. The president found out because I told the club I was leaving. He didn't want me to leave Lyon. And in the months that followed, everyone [at Lyon] got professional contracts. So yeah, I was going to leave Lyon in 2008 even though I had just been there for two years.

Journalist: So Lyon becoming fully professional is linked to wanting to keep you?

Renard: No, not at all. Everyone got a professional contract.

Journalist: So it wasn't one of the conditions for you to stay?

Renard: No, no. We weren't pro at the time. There was a federal contract in 2009 for the whole women's section. So it wasn't linked to my contract, I signed my first professional contract in 2009. That's how I remember, it's because I was supposed to leave for university. So it's not really about the contract, because I was there for two years without a professional contract. I just wanted to live my dream of playing in France and winning games.

Journalist: And the second part of the question?

Renard: The second part? What was it?

Journalist: What convinced you to stay?

Renard: What made me stay? Well like I said, we're in a club with very high standards and expectations. We have a president who - well we had a president who always believed in women's football, who always gave the means for women's football to develop. We've always had big players. So for me, we're improving on a daily level. We're developing as players. And we're winning trophies. That's important for me.

Jules: The extension through 2027 was kind of implied in that question. 2027, you will be 37. Is this going to be your last contract? Are you already thinking about what happens next? Because I imagine that at 37 - well players are playing for longer and longer - but you're starting to think about things.

Renard: Yes. But I didn't wait until I turned 34 to start thinking about my future and the end of this contract. Beyond that, we don't know what could happen tomorrow. So for me, talking about what will happen after 2027 doesn't make sense, it's too far out. Beyond that, it's like I said, step by step. Day by day. One game at a time.

Jule: Have you thought about what you want to do post-career?

Renard: Yes, of course. But I'll keep that to myself.

Journalist: At Nice, you have Dante who is still playing, he is over 40. Is the long-term something you planned for? Did you tell yourself "I want to play as long as possible, I need to enjoy football as much as possible"?

Renard: In any case, football is my life. Ever since I was young I dreamed of playing football, winning trophies, winning games, wearing my country's jersey. I've always dreamed of those things. And recently a former Lyon player told me "do it as long as you enjoy it." So I do it as much as possible. I am conscious of the chance I have, like being healthy, the players I have around me. Now if I have to quit tomorrow, I'm okay with that.

Jules: Going off your last sentence. Are you ready for your career to end? We get the impression sometimes with certain athletes that the day after it ends, there's something missing. There isn't the excitement of game day, no routine, no practice. Are you anxious about that?

Renard: No. Beyond that, I think that when the decision is made, it's made. That's it, it's done. Obviously, having discussed things with former teammates, they said it's not necessarily the pitch they miss. It's the atmosphere in the locker room, the bond we have because we see each other every day. We see each other more than we see our families. So they miss the bond. Beyond that, we know when we started and we know when it's time to end. I know I started my career, I know I'm going to have to end it be it tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in 2027 or beyond that. I know I'm going to have to say goodbye at some point. It's a given, that's life.

Journalist: You see them everyday. Is that why you reminded Lindsey Horan who she has at home? [Renard laughs] We talked about Lindsey, we have another teammate who has a question for you. Will we get an answer? Who knows. It's from Eugenie Le Sommer.

Renard: What is Eugenie going to say this time?

Le Sommer: Wendie, can you tell us the size of the studs you've put on yourself, and why?

Renard: [laughs]

Journalist: We're back with the oppo files. What is this story about studs? Did you go too far with the size or something?

Renard: I'm not sure I would say I went too far. But I've played with studs that were pretty long, yeah. I think it was size 18 [note: idk how to convert that into American size so you're just going to have to use your imagination]

Journalist: Maybe size 20.

Renard: Maybe.

Journalist: They have a firm grip, you don't slip.

Renard: Yeah, but it's because the pitch was catastrophic. We were playing at Soyaux and it was dangerous. It was dangerous. We had to think of our safety and I wanted a firm grip.

Journalist: Look, when you're tall, you need to be anchored okay.

Renard: They [the studs] were already long. I will admit they were long. But hey it worked, okay. I really had a firm grip. I don't know how the others did it with the small studs, the 14s and 16s. Honestly I have no idea.

Journalist: I imagine the real difficulty was when you were inside on the tiles.

Renard: I was careful.

Journalist: We've talked about personal stuff, the values and morals you hold dear. We took a look at your Instagram to see which photos we could use. We picked one, and I think it will speak to everyone. We can see the smile on your face. You're not alone. On this picture - and it would be great if our producers could put it up - [production puts up a picture of Renard and Zidane] There we go. It's a picture of you and a fan.

Renard: He is a legend.

Jules: Nice of you to take pictures with fans.

Renard: He's such a legend. You have to respect him, it's Zidane.

Journalist: That picture, is it something you dreamed about when you were younger?

Renard: Yeah. Honestly, yes. Zidane is class in the purest sense, you see it in his body language, his gestures, his control [of the ball]. He was class on the field. Obviously, I dreamed of meeting players like him, like Ronaldinho, and others in this generation. But yeah, Zidane is class. And we have the luck of having a common sponsor, which is Adidas. So I took advantage of that.

Journalist: What was going through your head when you took that picture?

Renard: I was happy. I was happy but also a little uncomfortable because it's Zidane, and at a certain point - yeah. It's Zidane.

Jules: Is he nice?

Renard: Honestly, yeah. Really nice. It was a great moment, he shared some wisdom and experience. And me too, I had the opportunity to ask him a couple of questions, like when did he realize he wanted to be a coach. So yeah. I got a lot of answers.

Journalist: Maybe that was a hint for our viewers.

Jules: It's nice to hear that though, because sometimes when you meet your idols, it can be a bit complicated, it's not what you expect. [jokingly] When I met our co-host, I was starstruck. It took a year before we got along.

Renard: But it's okay now?

Journalist: We tolerate each other.

Jules: He knows my name now, that's something.

Journalist: Zidane is amongst the French people's favorites. You also were one of them. The rankings came out a few months ago, May 2024. You came in third in most inspirational French people. You're ahead of a lot of athletes including Leon Marchand. Is that a role you've had to get used to over time? Do you realize the impact you have on the younger kids? We talked about Zidane as a role model for you when you were younger, but you can be that for young football players.

Renard: You don't really think about it every day. But beyond that, yes. When we met young individuals or even the older generation, it doesn't matter, when you meet people on the street, when you're running errands, that's when you realize the impact. Especially the way people see you. But it shows that we had an "impact", and I'm putting that in quotation marks, on people be it directly or indirectly. So, yeah. It's nice, because in those moments I tell myself, "wow, the little girl from Martinique has come a long way." And there's an element of pride as well for me, but I think for my parents to be able to say - well, I guess thank you to them for bringing me into the world. I became what I am today thanks to my family and my support system. But yeah, it's nice.

Journalist: And we have someone who needs advice from you, it's a question on Instagram. It's two questions, Jules, am I right?

Jules: Yes, we put them together because they're linked. What would you tell a young child who dreams about playing for Olympique Lyonnais? And the second one says, hi, I'm a young player, I'm 14, I would like to play professionally but don't know where to start.

Renard: I hope you all become professional football players. But beyond that, I've always said it. You have to know you're lucky to have a lot of people around you in big clubs. So you have to listen to their advice.

Jules: Even in Martinique?

Renard: Yes, everywhere. Have fun, work hard. You have to understand that your body is what allows you to do your job. So I often tell young players to have fun, don't put pressure on yourself by saying "I want to become -". Obviously we have dreams, we have objectives. Kids have dreams. You want to play in the UWCL, you want to play for France or whichever national team it is. But what is most important is what happens daily. Have fun. And then you have structure from coaches and they will give you guidance. We're there to develop, to improve. So my message would be to have fun and if the talent is there, if the potential is there, then I think that everyone around you will do everything possible to get you as far as possible.

Journalist: We were talking about your values and things you support. There is that campaign, we saw your face being used, it was the anti-tobacco campaign. It's a cause you really got behind. "The tobacco industry never wanted a woman to be free. [Slogan: This year, the hearts of 20,000 women will stop beating.] I think this campaign really suits you.

Renard: It's perfect. That's also why I agreed to it.

Journalist: Your commitment to this cause, does it date back to anything?

Renard: Yes, a few years ago. It's got to be three, four years, easy. But yeah, it was a great experience with really amazing people. And I liked the goal because - well obviously I've lost people close to me because of this [e.g. lung cancer]. And even when I see the damage it can do on a day-to-day basis, I know people are aware of it. And I know it's hard for a lot of people to quit. But I was always told, "when you want to, you can." So you take to find the courage and then make the decision to quit. And then honestly, after you do that, sport is so important. It's a release. Let out all the negative energy because [Renard goes quiet] smoking isn't good for you.

Journalist: That's a really lovely message. I completely agree with you. We're going to go back to lighter things. We're going to continue with another question. We talked about it a little at the start, but it's about your cultural tastes, we should say.

Jules: This is my thing.

Journalist: That's what you think.

Jules: I'm going to hold on to it. This is the question. "Hi Wendie. Which television show are you currently watching and what music are you listening to at the moment?" Come on, Wendie, I need recommendations.

Renard: At the moment I'm really into Dadou [Pasquet] [NB: Haitian artist]. I like him, I'm really into him at the moment.

Journalist: And shows?

Renard: Series, no. I'm not really into that stuff.

Jules: You're more into music?

Renard: Yeah, music is more my thing. I'm really into music.

Journalist: That's great to hear, we actually have a music question. One of your teammates has a question to ask you. Or rather, they want to thank you.

Renard: it's got to be Melchie [Dumornay].

Le Sommer: Wendie, I have something to confess. It's because of you that I like Zouk. I think I know more Zouk than any other genre of music because how much I've listened to it in the locker room. So thank you for that, thank you for letting me know about it.

Renard: Euge[nie Le Sommer] is saying all the right things.

Journalist: I'm sure she's not the only one.

Renard: She's not. When [Elodie] Thomis was still a player, we put it on in the locker room, it wasn't really up for debate. So all of the older players, they've all been subjected to it for a long time. Amandine [Hnery], Sarah [Bouhaddi], Sonia [Bompastor], Camille [Abily], Lotta [Schelin]. Euge, let's be honest, her taste has improved. You learn through experience.

Journalist: You have to teach them, I get it now.

Renard: Right, they need to learn.

Journalist: Winning titles is cool and all, but it's about the habits you have to put in place beforehand.

Renard: Exactly.

Jules: Individual sessions with Zouk music playing in the background, I understand it now.

Journalist: Okay, no television shows but a lot of music. But we need to touch on another topic. We saw when we we were looking through photos -

Jules: That's also my area of expertise.

Journalist: It's a little bit everyone's area. Let's not pretend otherwise. We're going to show you the picture of - it's pretty self-explanatory. [Picture 2 if for some reason it doesn't load correctly]

Renard: So I like good food, so what?

Journalist: This is serious now.

Renard: It's serious, it's not a joking matter.

Journalist: You're from Martinique. The food there is pretty good. You get to Lyon, the food here is pretty good too. There isn't a lot of compromise involved.

Renard: No, the gastronomy scene in Lyon, it's really world class.

Journalist: Is that why you chose Lyon?

Renard: No, honestly no, because I really like to cook at home. So my thing is, I prepare whole meals, lots of fish, lots of seafood. Chickens well, because obviously a fox [renard = fox] likes chicken. [Audible groan from presenters] I'm not apologizing. Beyond that, I'm aware of where I am. I think this region has a wonderful heritage, so we try to take advantage of that as much as possible.

Journalist: We agree on that. We're going to return to the football discussion. We have another question -

Jules: No, no, I need food recommendations.

Journalist: We'll exchange recipes after the show. Another question from another teammate, but this relates more to things on the pitch.

Becho: So, Wendie. I repeat this quite often to you, I want you to play in at least the next World Cup [2027]. Do you think you will play in it? I don't know what's going to happen, if you want I can just put you in my suitcase and that's that. I hope you will be there.

Renard: She's nuts.

Journalist: She'll need a pretty big suitcase. What are your ambitions for the upcoming international tournaments? There's the World Cup, there's the Euros. Do you have anything in mind?

Renard: No. I think it's just too far out. It's difficult in that I've never hidden my love for my country and I've always wanted to win a trophy with them. And this disappointment from what happened this summer [2024 Olympics], it's still there. Now we need to move on. I need to move on personally as well.

Journalist: Was it hard coming back to Lyon after the Olympics?

Renard: No, because we had some time off - well I had time off, the players who played in the Olympics had time off. But when you've played in 2019 [World Cup] and then you played in the Olympics... I know we won't be experiencing that again anytime soon. It's the same for the upcoming young players. Hosting the World Cup and then hosting the Olympics, that's pretty unique. And then when you aren't able to reach certain stages, obviously you start to ask questions. But beyond that, that's just life. It's like that sometimes. It's part of what happens as professional football playing at the top level. But you have to always keep fighting. I will continue to work hard for that, but obviously you have to question yourself.

Journalist: Wendie, you need to come back very soon because we still have lots to talk about. I'm looking at the time and there are a lot of topics we haven't gotten to yet, such as the development of women's football in France -

Renard: Are you saying I talk too much?

Journalist: No, no, it's really good. You just have to come back soon and we can cover all that.

Jules: [goes over the schedule for October/November]. That's quite a busy schedule.

Renard: Yeah, those are things we like though, when you're playing every three days. Big games are coming up as well. There are higher expectations in those games. But I think we're ready, we have the team for it. But we know the game of the group stage is going to be really hard, it's against Wolfsburg [Lyon won 2-0]. We're used to playing against the Germans and it's never easy against those teams. Now we have the quality and we're ready to go to Wolfsburg and bring back the win if possible.

Journalist: You play two away games in a row. Then you have the home game, there's going to be PSG at home where you'll play in the Groupama Stadium. We're familiar with those games against PSG. Is that something you focus on from the start of the season?

Renard: It's not really something we highlight ourselves. Maybe you [the media] do. For the club's organization, yeah, it's important, and I'm going to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to come to the game and support us. You've experienced some great times with us, let's continue to do so. But for us it's just an important game, it's something we need to win, and we know that in the end it usually comes down to games against Paris [Saint-German], PFC, sometimes even Montpellier and Fleury. But honestly, we don't dismiss any team. Upsets can happen to anyone. It's not something - you shouldn't be a big team who looks down on lower teams. That's not what being competitive means.

Jules: In terms of surprises there's ASSE who is having a really good start to the season. The derby is coming up. We get that the games against PSG are the more important ones, but the derby, it's like the more it happens, the more there's a sort of -

Renard: Yeah, true.

Jules: Do you talk about it amongst yourselves?

Renard: It's true that compared to previous years - in the beginning - well the derby has always existed, okay. But not as much as on the men's side for example.

Jules: There's less at play.

Renard: There's that.

Jules: I don't think there's always stuff at play on the men's side either [ASSE is in the relegation zone and was in the second division last season]

Renard: Between the two teams, obviously we want us to be the one that wins. I'd say it should be a logical win but in football nothing is set in stone. We saw it one season when we drew against them in an away game.

Jules: That draw was a tipping point, you could tell that for the ASSE supporters, something really changed.

Renard: Yeah, it's a derby. There are tackles, there are a lot of things. You really have to honor the jersey you're wearing, and that goes for both teams. So it's up to us at Lyon to do everything to bring home the win. But like I've said, they've had a really good start to the season. Their playing style is really interesting. That being said, one thing at a time. First it's Wolfsburg [2-0], Paris FC [0-0], then PSG [1-0].

Journalist: We're going to focus on this week. It's an away game at Wolfsburg. It's the second match day. You had a good first game, Wolfsburg a little less [they lost 3-0 to AS Roma]. Wendie, that's all we have, it's been an hour. It flew by. I'd have loved to have even more time, you're welcome back anytime.

Renard: That works for me.

Journalist: Seriously, anytime. We're really happy to have had you. Thank you to everyone for watching. And maybe we can play some music to close out the show. And thank you again, Wendie.

Renard: Thank you for having me.

[redwineconversation]

hello. you left a neon pink post-it with pgs 194-359 due 9/12 in the book, by the way. it is now May 23rd and the library's printer is running out of ink. it jammed and tore my passport application. one of the librarians dutifully blacked out all my information (front and back!) before proceeding to use every unmarred inch as scrap paper.

i think maybe our (plural, inclusive) lives are connected. all of them. i have been thinking a lot about borrowing. about how people move through the world in waves, filling in the same spaces. i have probably stood on the same subway platform as you. we held the same book. all of us stand in the same line at the grocery, at the gas station. how many feet have stood washing dishes in my kitchen?

i hope you are doing well. the pen you used was a nice red, maybe a glitter pen? you have loopy, curling handwriting. i sometimes wonder if it is true that you can tell a personality by the shape of our letters. i'm borrowing my brother's car. he's got scrangly engineer handwriting (you know the one). it's a yellow-orange ford mustang boss. when i got out of the building, some kids were posing with it for a selfie. i felt a little bird grow in me and had to pause and pretend to be busy with my phone to give them more time for their laughing.

i have a habit of asking people what's the last good book you read? the librarian's handwriting on the back of my smeared-and-chewed passport application says the glass house in small undercase. i usually go for fantasy/sci fi, but she was glowing when she suggested it. i found your post-it on page 26, so i really hope you didn't have to read up to 359 in that particular book. i hope you're like me and just have a weird "random piece of trash" "bookmark" that somehow makes it through like, 58 books.

i wish the concept of soul mates was bigger. i wish it was about how my soul and your soul are reading the same work. how i actually put down that book at the same time you did - page 26 was like, all exposition. i wish we were soul mates with every person on the same train. how magical to exist and borrow the same space together. i like the idea that somewhere, someone is using the shirts i donated. i like the idea that every time i see a nice view and say oh gosh look at the view, you (plural, inclusive) said that too.

the kids hollered when i beeped the car. oh dude you set off the alarm, oh shit is she - dude that's her car!! one was extremely polite. "i like your car, Miss. i'm sorry we touched it." i said i wasn't busy, finish up the pictures. i folded your post-it into a paper crane while i waited. i thought about how my brother's a kind person but his handwriting looks angry. i thought about how for an entire year i drove someone to work every day - and i didn't even think to ask for gas money. my handwriting is straight capital letters.

i thought about how i can make a paper crane because i was taught by someone who was taught by someone else.

the kids asked me to rev the engine and you know i did. the way they reacted? you would have thought i brought the sun from the sky and poured it into a waterglass. i went home smiling about it. i later gave your post it-turned-bird to a tiny child on the bus. she put it in her mouth immediately.

how easy, standing in your shadow, casting my own. how our hands pass over each other in the same minor folds. i wonder how many of the same books you and i have read. i wonder how many people have the same favorite six songs or have been in the same restaurant or have attended the same movie premier. the other day i mentioned the Book Mill from a small town in western massachusetts - a lot of people knew of it. i wonder if i've ever passed you - and didn't even notice it.

i hope whatever i leave behind makes you happy. i hope my hands only leave gentle prints. i hope you and i get the same feeling when the sun comes out. soulmates across all of it.

[redwineconversation]

they made rotting a real human emotion, by the way. you too can experience an extant form of decay. just tell the truth and have nobody believe you. look a loved one in the eye and see the little flicker of doubt in there, the sad turn of the mouth. watch them weigh the significance of love, of trust. listen while they say i know you think that's true, but...

[redwineconversation]

Okay kids gather around and you are going to listen to mom scolding you. If you want to know what is going on with Lyon, you need to actually read interviews and listen to press conferences. Don’t speak French? Not my problem. Either learn the language or find someone who will translate whatever it is for you.

Item Number 1: Montemurro is not leaving this summer. He is not going to become Australia’s head coach. If you have a problem with that you are welcome to take it up with Football Australia who said, and this is a direct quote: “Joe Montemurro would have been a perfect fit, but he is at the biggest club in the world, Lyon, and he is on a two year fixed contract, and therefore we’ve pivoted on what we’re doing.” Quote in bold in the desperate hope that the arm chair analysts on Twitter will MOVE ON. He’s the head coach for better or for worse. Deal with it. Talk to your therapist about how to accept things you don’t like. Switch to a different team. Whatever helps.

Item Number 2: Montemurro offloading academy players is in line with Lyon. “OMG but we have to give academy kids a chance!” No, we don’t. If they can cut it then they are part of the team. If they can’t then they aren’t. Becho has been dropped for the group, I am celebrating like hell, I also know that is subject to change. If you want to see academy kids play more then tell them to step it up rather than demand Lyon drop their standards.

Item Number 3: Horan isn’t getting offloaded unless she asks for it. Could it happen now that she is married and Tyler is in San Diego? 💁🏼‍♀️ But as of right now there is zero indication Lyon is even willing to sell, we know there will be a massive price tag on her if she does, and unfortunately for the Twitter arm chair analysts, she is liked in the locker room and liked by the locker room leaders so she isn’t going to be kicked out by the players. Again, you’re just going to have to deal with it. If you don’t like it then you’re welcome to DM Hegerberg and Renard and see if you can convince them to kick her out but I confess I am skeptical about your success rate should you choose to do so.

Item Number 4: if people would take the time to either read interviews and/or listen to press conferences, they would know that Montemurro said that all the international players would be on managed minutes, especially those playing three games (Horan and Carpenter at the She Believes Cup) and those playing League of Nations. They would also know that national teams asked Lyon to give said international players managed minutes leading up to the game.

Hegerberg isn’t being pushed aside, she isn’t being disrespected, there isn’t an ongoing dispute between her and Montemurro or her and the club. Norway asked for her to be on managed minutes so she would be fully fit for them. Montemurro/Lyon said yes.

Look I know reading comprehension and critical thinking isn’t the strong point for some of you but Jesus fucking Christ I refuse to believe the bar is that high.

If there was a conflict between Hegerberg and Montemurro, Montemurro would be gone. He’s still there. It is literally that simple. For better or for worse Hegerberg is one of the players who has the power to dictate who is or is not coach. You don’t like Montemurro you are welcome to DM Hegerberg or her agent and see if she can get him to leave. Alternatively, have a chat with your therapist and stop. bitching. about things which aren’t going to change.

Item Number 5: I am sorry but I am SO FUCKING SICK of Benyahia’s idiot stans. She isn’t kicking Horan or van de Donk off the team sheets. She has neither the experience nor the level to do that. Someone was bitching on Twitter that Lyon had refused to loan Benyahia to Dijon in January so she could playing time, overlooking the fact Benyahia was still injured in January and has only just, in mid February, started playing with the group again. Lyon’s next game is on March 1. Absolute most optimistic scenario, she comes on as a sub in that game, and that’s truly counting on all planets being aligned. I mean seriously. Why would Lyon send out an injured player on loan just so said injured player can get playing time? Can someone please explain the rationale behind that mentality? Is critical thinking really that optional in life?

I hate stans and I hate arm chair analysts so fucking much. I’m sorry you need to speak French to get Lyon, I am. But holy fuck am I so sick of certain individuals spreading absolute bullshit because they can’t be bothered to read a fucking interview or listen to a press conference. If you don’t speak French then fucking shut up about Lyon’s dynamics.