Nick Cushing’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat to four-time winners Lyon in the semi-final second leg at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, thanks to a stunning first-half volley from former Blue Lucy Bronze.
That moment proved the only one to separate the sides over two legs, after City had produced a superb display to earn a goalless draw at the Academy Stadium a week ago.
Despite another solid defensive display, the visitors lacked the cutting edge to net the all-important away goal but should take heart from the progress which saw them run the continent’s best to the end.
What happened…
With Cushing’s side heading into the clash as underdogs, the pre-match talk had piled the pressure on the hosts. Frustrated by their lack of away goal last weekend, Lyon came flying out of the blocks and dominated the early proceedings, laying Karen Bardsley’s goal under siege from the off.
Amandine Henry created the first real chance, flashing an effort wide, as the hosts sought to calm the nerves early and rattle the Blues.
Their pressure paid dividends on 17 minutes as Bronze punished her former employers with a superbly-struck volley from Amel Majri’s floated delivery.
It was a bitter pill to swallow but ultimately, nothing had changed for City in terms of their task – the Blues still needed to score.
Mel Lawley went in search of an immediate leveller but fired wide in an encouraging attack, but the visitors struggled to retain possession.
As Lyon continued to dominate, Henry struck a deflected effort off the post, before Bronze blazed another volley over the bar and Eugenie Le Sommer was thwarted by an excellent Jen Beattie block.
Ada Hegerberg and Camille Abily then went close after the break, with Bardsley then called into action to deny the former from range.
With Lyon’s quick press, City were reduced to long balls and efforts from distance – neither of which yielded any joy.
At the other end, substitute Kheira Hamraoi almost made an instant impact with a low attempt, which was well-saved, while Hegerberg skewed Le Sommer’s lay-off over the crossbar.
With time running out and in the knowledge a single goal could be enough to send City through, Cushing introduced Nadia Nadim and Claire Emslie from the bench but neither could spark the impact the Blues needed.
Emslie forced Sarah Bouhaddi into a stop with a curling effort but it proved the closest the visitors came to a leveller and Lyon sailed through to a record seventh final.
How they lined up…
Cushing named an unchanged side from the first leg. Bardsley took her place in goal, shielded by her usual backline of Demi Stokes, captain Steph Houghton, Beattie and Abbie McManus.
Keira Walsh protected the back four in the defensive midfield, behind Jill Scott and Georgia Stanway, while Lawley and Nikita Parris occupied the wings. Izzy Christiansen led the line upfront.
What’s next…
The Blues travel to Bristol in the Super League on Thursday 3 May (7pm), before visiting Arsenal on Saturday 12 May (12:15pm). Our next home game is on Wednesday 16 May as we entertain Yeovil (7pm).
