As Lyon women’s football team prepared for their final league match against Paris FC, players and staff reflected on the emotional toll of their recent UEFA Women’s Champions League final loss. The disappointment lingered, but so did the determination to move forward.
Captain Wendie Renard addresses the lingering frustration
Wendie Renard, the team’s captain, admitted the crushing defeat still weighed heavily on the squad. “It’s only natural to feel devastated,” she shared. “We’re professionals, and we must shift our focus forward. What’s done is done.” Though she acknowledged the collective heartbreak, she emphasized the urgency to regroup: “Despite the emotional strain we’re experiencing, our priority is to bounce back swiftly.”
Coach Jonatan Giráldez highlights the team’s resilience
Jonatan Giráldez, the Spanish head coach, echoed similar sentiments, describing the days following the final as emotionally taxing. “The aftermath was tough,” he admitted. “Months of preparation led to a result that didn’t reflect our efforts.” While he conceded the score didn’t capture the team’s true performance, he stressed the need to overcome the mental hurdle: “It’s natural to struggle mentally after such a loss, but we must push through within a few days.”
Lindsey Horan’s bittersweet season finale
Lindsey Horan, visibly moved during her speech, opened up about the heartbreak of the final. “It’s incredibly painful,” she confessed. Having announced her departure from the club, she refused to let the defeat define her season: “I don’t regret how the year unfolded.” With an emotional farewell looming, she expressed hope for a fitting send-off with a domestic trophy at Groupama Stadium.
With the Champions League dream shattered, the Lyon women’s team now sets its sights on concluding the season on a high note with another league title.
