Lyon held as Potsdam beat Wolfsburg - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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While a stalemate provided the weekend’s biggest shock in France, one of Germany’s most successful clubs of recent years finally got their championship campaign back on track. Elsewhere, Spain’s top three teams continue to rack up the wins, while derbies in Sydney and Melbourne generated excitement in Australia. FIFA.com brings you all the latest from selected women’s football leagues across the globe.
France: Lyon’s flawless run comes to an end
A weekend in which the leaders take on the second-placed side and third meet fourth is always likely to feature among the highlights of any championship season. But when a league-leading side that has not yet dropped a point and only conceded one goal fails to leave the pitch victorious, even the term ‘sensation’ seems appropriate. Top-of-the-table Olympique Lyon could not break the deadlock at Montpellier, leaving them without a win or a goal to show for their efforts for the first time in the current campaign. Playmaker Louisa Necib had the best chance of the game when her powerful free-kick effort struck the crossbar. Despite their disappointment, Lyon still had reason to celebrate as France captain Wendie Renard returned to competitive action following a meniscus injury.
In the other big game of the weekend, Paris Saint-Germain emerged from their derby against Juvisy with a comfortable 5-0 win to tighten their grip on third place. Germany striker Anja Mittag scored a brace in a display that earned her player of the match. “Everyone knows how important it is to beat Juvisy and keep the pressure on Lyon and Montpellier,” said PSG’s Swedish international Caroline Seger. “We’ll fight to the very end.”
Top three: Olympique Lyon (42), Montpellier (40), Paris Saint-Germain (39)
Germany: Potsdam breathe a sigh of relief
Turbine Potsdam returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a bang after making a sluggish start to their campaign. Veteran coach Bernd Schroder guided his team to a 5-2 victory at DFB Cup holders VfL Wolfsburg, lifting the side into the top third of the table. Meanwhile, unbeaten league leaders Bayern Munich secured a narrow 2-1 win over SGS Essen thanks to a late strike from German international Sara Dabritz. FCB’s ninth victory in ten games helped them take another large step towards a successful defence of their title.
Reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League winners 1. FFC Frankfurt won at home in their first match since parting ways with coach Colin Bell. Goals from Dzsenifer Marozsan and Mandy Islacker helped the Hessen side defeat SC Sand 2-0 and lifted them to third in the standings, one place below but level on points with Wolfsburg. Elsewhere, bottom-of-the-table 1. FC Koln recorded their first three points of the season, beating FF USV Jena 2-0 to bring their run of two draws and seven defeats to an end and revive their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Top three: Bayern Munich (28), VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FFC Frankfurt (both 19)
Spain: Top three teams marching in step
Scoring five goals appeared to be the trend for the main Superliga contenders last weekend. While leaders Atletico Madrid won 1-0 over Granadilla Tenerife - their ninth win in succession - nearest rivals Athletic Bilbao comfortably beat Real Sociedad San Sebastian 5-0 in the weekend’s biggest encounter to remain level on points with the pacesetters. Third-placed Barcelona also kept up the pressure with a 5-1 victory over Santa Teresa to ensure the top three remain unbeaten this season.
Top three: Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao (both 31), Barcelona (27)
Australia: Double derby time in the W-League
Melbourne City were the biggest winners on a matchday dominated by two major derbies. As the championship newcomers continued their perfect start by defeating local rivals Melbourne Victory 4-0, extending their winning streak to seven matches in the process, FC Sydney and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, defending champions and current second-placed side Canberra United beat Brisbane Roar 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ashleigh Sykes, while Adelaide United and Perth Glory shared the points in a game that finished 1-1.
Top three: Melbourne City (21), Canberra United (13), FC Sydney (10)