Lyon Women's Team Ready to Challenge Champions League Dominance Again
Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most successful women's football teams in Europe, has launched a bold new initiative to reclaim its dominance in the Champions League. The club, now owned by Michele Kang and part of a multi-club ownership group dedicated to women's sports, has set ambitious targets for the upcoming season.
"We absolutely want to win the Champions League again quickly," says Vincent Ponsot, sporting director at OL Lyonnes. "We have a talented team and the best coach in the history of women's football."
The club has invested heavily in its infrastructure, including a new training centre and stadium, which is expected to be completed next year. Kang has promised significant financial backing to ensure the team can compete with the best.
"We want to give our players the same means as the men," Ponsot explains. "We're not just building on past success; we're creating a new model for women's football."
However, despite its rich history and trophy cabinet, OL Lyonnes struggles to fill the stands. With an average attendance of 5,528 spectators after eight match days, the club is facing significant challenges in getting men's team fans interested.
"We're looking at models like Arsenal, who have a strong men's team with a loyal fanbase," Ponsot says. "We want to create that same level of enthusiasm for our women's team."
To address this issue, OL Lyonnes has launched a range of innovative initiatives, including giant foosball tables and DJ sets, in an attempt to attract new fans.
The club is also working closely with the newly created French Women's Professional Football League (LFFP) to secure an ideal home-and-away rotation with the men's team. This will give OL Lyonnes a chance to build momentum at home before facing off against top European opponents.
However, despite its best efforts, OL Lyonnes still faces significant challenges in the broader context of women's football in France. Economic limitations and a national sporting culture not particularly favourable to women's sport remain major obstacles.
"Many things have improved since the creation of the women's league in 2024," Ponsot says. "But there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of promotion and commercialisation."
OL Lyonnes hopes to inject new momentum into an under-resourced Première Ligue, where the team will face stiff competition from rival clubs. With its ambition and financial backing, the club is ready to challenge for the Champions League title once again.
As Ponsot says, "We're not just building on past success; we're creating a new story, one that will inspire future generations of women's football players."
Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most successful women's football teams in Europe, has launched a bold new initiative to reclaim its dominance in the Champions League. The club, now owned by Michele Kang and part of a multi-club ownership group dedicated to women's sports, has set ambitious targets for the upcoming season.
"We absolutely want to win the Champions League again quickly," says Vincent Ponsot, sporting director at OL Lyonnes. "We have a talented team and the best coach in the history of women's football."
The club has invested heavily in its infrastructure, including a new training centre and stadium, which is expected to be completed next year. Kang has promised significant financial backing to ensure the team can compete with the best.
"We want to give our players the same means as the men," Ponsot explains. "We're not just building on past success; we're creating a new model for women's football."
However, despite its rich history and trophy cabinet, OL Lyonnes struggles to fill the stands. With an average attendance of 5,528 spectators after eight match days, the club is facing significant challenges in getting men's team fans interested.
"We're looking at models like Arsenal, who have a strong men's team with a loyal fanbase," Ponsot says. "We want to create that same level of enthusiasm for our women's team."
To address this issue, OL Lyonnes has launched a range of innovative initiatives, including giant foosball tables and DJ sets, in an attempt to attract new fans.
The club is also working closely with the newly created French Women's Professional Football League (LFFP) to secure an ideal home-and-away rotation with the men's team. This will give OL Lyonnes a chance to build momentum at home before facing off against top European opponents.
However, despite its best efforts, OL Lyonnes still faces significant challenges in the broader context of women's football in France. Economic limitations and a national sporting culture not particularly favourable to women's sport remain major obstacles.
"Many things have improved since the creation of the women's league in 2024," Ponsot says. "But there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of promotion and commercialisation."
OL Lyonnes hopes to inject new momentum into an under-resourced Première Ligue, where the team will face stiff competition from rival clubs. With its ambition and financial backing, the club is ready to challenge for the Champions League title once again.
As Ponsot says, "We're not just building on past success; we're creating a new story, one that will inspire future generations of women's football players."
The article seems pretty optimistic about OL Lyonnes' chances but I'm still skeptical 
. What exactly is the plan to attract more fans? Giant foosball tables and DJ sets might be a fun touch, but how long will that novelty wear off? And what's the real strategy here? They're not just throwing money at the problem; are they addressing the underlying issues like lack of exposure in mainstream media or unequal treatment from sponsors?
. Those giant foosball tables and DJ sets are straight fire 
! But seriously, it's about time we see more support for women's football in France. I mean, the French Women's Professional Football League was created last year, so let's not forget that 
.
. The financial backing will definitely help level the playing field with men's teams.
. We need more enthusiasm and support from fans, sponsors, and the media. Let's get behind our ladies and cheer them on all the way to that Champions League title! 
! It's been ages since they last won the title and with Michele Kang at the helm, I think they're gonna bring some serious firepower 
.
. The foosball tables and DJ sets might seem like a gimmick, but if it gets more men interested in the game, that's a win in my book 
.
️. And let's be real, who wouldn't wanna watch OL Lyonnes take on top European teams? 
The only thing that worries me is the economic limitations and lack of commercialization in French women's football 
. With OL Lyonnes leading the charge, maybe we'll see a new wave of talented players and fans coming through 
. Bring on the Champions League title chase! 
Plus, they're working with the LFFP to get more momentum going.