After Olympique Lyonnais’ emphatic victory over Paris Saint-Germain, club president Jean-Michel Aulas took time to reflect on the performance and publicly congratulate his players in an interview with Cœurs de Foot. Speaking in the mixed zone shortly after the final whistle, Aulas expressed both pride and satisfaction, highlighting the consistency, mentality, and ambition that continue to define Lyon’s women’s team.
The match itself was billed as one of the major showdowns of the season. Encounters between Lyon and PSG are always closely watched, as they bring together the two dominant forces of women’s football in France. This time, however, Lyon made a powerful statement. From the opening minutes, the Lyonnaises imposed a high tempo, pressing aggressively and circulating the ball with their trademark fluidity. Their superiority quickly translated onto the scoreboard, reflecting not only technical quality but also collective cohesion.
In his comments, Jean-Michel Aulas was keen to underline the difficulty of such a fixture, despite the final margin. He reminded observers that Paris Saint-Germain remain a top-level side, packed with international players and capable of challenging any opponent in Europe. For him, Lyon’s performance was therefore even more significant, as it demonstrated the team’s ability to rise to the occasion against elite opposition.
Aulas praised the attitude of his squad, insisting that their success is built as much on mentality as on talent. According to the Lyon president, his players approach every major match with the same hunger, regardless of past achievements. This mindset, he suggested, is what allows Lyon to maintain their dominance season after season, even when expectations are high and pressure constant. Victories like this one against PSG are not taken for granted inside the club; they are the result of daily work, discipline, and an unwavering desire to improve.
He also emphasized the importance of collective strength. Rather than singling out individual performances, Aulas pointed to the unity of the group, the balance between experience and youth, and the leadership shown on the pitch. He spoke of a team that knows how to manage big moments, control the rhythm of a match, and punish opponents when opportunities arise. This collective identity, he believes, is the true foundation of Lyon’s sustained success.
Beyond the match itself, Aulas’ remarks reflected broader satisfaction with the direction of the women’s section. He reiterated his pride in seeing the players represent Olympique Lyonnais with such consistency and professionalism. For him, every high-profile victory also serves as a showcase for women’s football, helping to attract new supporters and inspire younger generations. Matches against PSG, in particular, symbolize the growth of the women’s game in France, offering visibility, intensity, and quality that rival the biggest European competitions.
The Lyon president also acknowledged the work of the technical staff, who prepare the team to meet the demands of both domestic and international challenges. He stressed that maintaining such a level requires constant adaptation, whether in tactical approaches, physical preparation, or squad management. Success, in his view, is never static; it must be continually rebuilt.
Ultimately, Aulas’ reaction was one of composed enthusiasm rather than simple celebration. While delighted with the result, he framed it as another step in an ongoing journey, rather than an end in itself. Lyon’s ambitions remain high, and performances like this reinforce their status while also reminding them of the standards they must uphold.
The full statement from Jean-Michel Aulas can be found in the video produced by Cœurs de Foot, where he expands further on his impressions and his pride in the Lyon women’s team.
