The question in Biella on Wednesday is a simple one: does Juventus have any real chance of beating OL Lyonnes? The bookies and so-called “prediction” markets don’t think so, pricing Juve as long shots against the eight-time European champions. And yet…
A Surprisingly Even-Keeled Rivalry
This is the eighth meeting between the clubs. In 2022 the teams met FOUR times, albeit over two distinct seasons. In the 2021-22 quarterfinals, Juve recorded their only win 2-1 over the Lionesses in the opening fixture, only to be knocked out in the second leg 3-1. Since then, however, the resulting three contests have ended in draws. and the recent results have to be encouraging for the home side. The last three all ended in draws. The most recent was a wild 3-3 in Italy last season. Juventus actually led 3-0 at halftime, before Lyonnes mounted a huge comeback capped by a Wendie Renard penalty in the 90th minute to draw level. Another fun fact: this is the second straight season the two teams have met on Matchday 4.
Form Guide
Juventus (WCL: L-W-W): Juve’s campaign started badly with a 2-1 home loss to Benfica. However, they bounced back with some aplomb in two straight road games, first defeating Häcken 3-0 and then toppling Austria Wien 4-1. Skeptics will point out the latter two teams were “weaker” competition, but wins are still three points. One worrying statistic: Juventus have conceded in each of their last eight Champions League home games.
Their domestic form has been uneven. Isaac Guerrero’s team is fifth in Serie A Femminile with nine points from six games (3W-3L), and has conceded 14 goals, including a 5-2 home loss to Roma. They do come into this game on a two-game winning streak after beating Fiorentina 2-1 and coming from behind to beat Sassuolo 2-1 on Saturday.
OL Lyonnes (WCL: W-D-W): Outside of a 0-0 draw to a stubborn Chelsea side in Matchweek 2, Jonatan Giráldez’s team has been flawless. Their other two WCL matches were brutally lopsided victories: an 8-0 win at Servette in the opener and 6-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the last tie. More impressively, they’re unbeaten in 26 group-stage and league-phase games and haven’t conceded in their last five. At home in the Première Ligue they’re perfect: eight wins from eight, a +42 goal difference, and a 7-1 win at Lens on Saturday. One of those wins was a 4-0 thrashing of PSG at the Parc des Princes. This is a truly terrifying opponent.
What’s at Stake
Both teams will be looking to secure a top four finish, which comes with that two-game break while the other teams battle it out in the knockout playoffs. OL Lyonnes are currently in second place courtesy of that massive +14 goal differential. While they might not catch the unassailable FC Barcelona, they’ll at least want to secure their position. Juventus are sitting fifth, just below the cut-off. With their next two fixtures winnable (Leuven at home; PSG away), they know that a point should keep them in the running.
Juventus Players to Watch
Alba Redondo, who signed this summer from Real Madrid, has scored in each of her last three Champions League games and scored again against Sassuolo. Eva Schatzer, Italy’s 2025 Golden Girl winner, was named Player of the Match in Vienna for her work in midfield and on set pieces. Juve will need both at their best, because the defense that conceded five to Roma has been the team’s weak point. Center back Martina Rosucci (34) and goalkeeper Larissa Rusek (21) are the oldest and youngest starters respectively, and both will need to play out of their skins to thwart the Lyonnes attack.
OL Lyonnes Players to Watch
The talent across this squad is simply ridiculous. Melchie Dumornay leads the Première Ligue with 11 goals and Marie-Antoinette Katoto tops the Champions League scoring chart with five, including a hat-trick against Servette. Ada Hegerberg is the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals and is set to make her 90th appearance. Salma Paralluelo, recently signed from Barcelona, has three big chances created. Another new signing, goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs (ex-Bayern) has three clean sheets in the WCL. Even though Caroline Wier (thigh) and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (ACL) are not available, this squad has so much depth their absence won’t even be noticed.
So, Does Juve Have a Chance?
Lyonnes are stronger in almost every position, they’ve won 11 of their last 14 away games at this stage, and they’ve scored at least twice in each of their last ten. But Juventus does have a real, albeit very small, chance. Their sliver of hope lies in the following: those three straight draws, Redondo’s scoring run and a home crowd that has seen this team match Lyonnes before. A win would be a major upset. A draw is the most realistic hope, and it would feel like a win.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 4
- Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT (9:00 p.m. local time in Italy)
- Venue: Stadio Comunale Vittorio Pozzo-Lamarmora, Biella, Italy
- Watch: Broadcast live on ESPN Deportes (Spanish); streaming on Paramount+
The Qooligan is an alias of Hooligan Soccer founder Q Williams. Q is a 20+ year veteran of numerous technology and media companies, including MTV, Gracenote, Watchwith and Crunchyroll. He has a master’s degree in European History from Columbia University. Q is also a respected Sports Journalist with extensive experience in Soccer, particularly the Premier League, Champions League, MLS and USL. The Qooligan provides analysis and valuable insights based on years of professional practice. Connect with The Qooligan on X and Bluesky. He is committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy content that reflects expertise, experience and no shortage of attitude.
