MAN CITY WOMEN 0, OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 0
Manchester City proved a match for Europe’s top team as they held Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League, semi-final.
City’s performance at the Etihad’s Academy Stadium demonstrated the team’s remarkable progress in recent seasons to become a force in Europe.
They were up against the cream in Lyon, four-times Champions League winners since 2011 and holders for the last two seasons.
City more than held their own in the opening half and created the best chance when Melissa Lawley’s shot was well turned over by keeper Sarah Bouhaddi.
Lyon had a three decent efforts, a drive from German international Dzsenifer Marozsan that fizzed past the upright, a close-range header from French captain Wendie Renard that narrowly cleared the crossbar and near-post shot by Ada Hegerberg that wasn’t far off target.
It wasn’t until six minutes into the second period that City keeper Karen Bardsley had to make her first save, a decent stop from Eugenie Le Sommer after a miss-kick by Jennifer Beattie.
City had a great chance to snatch victory with 12 minutes left when Lyon failed to clear a corner, but Nikita Parris skied a great chance well over the crossbar.
But in stoppage time City keeper Bardsley came to the rescue with a flying save to keep out a header from substitute Camille Abily to ensure in finished all square.