Christiane Endler against Ingrid Engen and Stina Blacksteinus during Arsenal – OL Lyonnes (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Author of three important saves on Sunday to keep OL Lyonnes afloat, Christiane Endler unfortunately experienced the harsh reality of the goalkeeper position. His two errors of judgment weigh down Lyon’s record against Arsenal before the return match.
From our special correspondent in London.
The sarcasm of the London public with each ball touched said a lot about the situation. Sunday afternoon, Arsenal supporters did not miss the opportunity to treat Christiane Enderonce the advantage was regained by the Gunners ten minutes from the end (2-1). In the space of two interventions, the Chilean goalkeeper went from being a positive protagonist to the diametrically opposed one. The failure was collective at the Emirates Stadium, as Jonatan highlighted Giraldezbut unfortunately, all the spotlight will be on number 1 ofOL Lyonnes between now and the return match. For what ? Because she occupies a position in which the slightest mistake is paid for in cash and when there are two in the same meeting, it’s difficult to miss it.
Already guilty a year ago in the return match at Décines
Before the match, the Chilean had nevertheless shared her excitement at playing in a new Champions League semi-final, a “match that we always look forward to”. For now, Ender had rather joined actions to words. Not really in danger in the first act despite Arsenal’s domination, she used her foot quite well to find fixing points with Korbin Shrader or Ada Hegerberg.
But, in big matches like a European semi-final, we expect great goalkeepers and for almost an hour, the public at the Emirates Stadium was not far from hating the Lyon goalkeeper. Twice she stood in front of Olivia Smith (50th, 54th) preventing the London wave from breaking even more than necessary in this return from the locker room. And then, faltering in the 58th minute… A harmless and weak free kick from Mariona Caldentey to try a combination with Stina Blackstenius turned into a gag equalizer for Arsenal, with Endler completely missing his intervention.
Hegerberg: “She’s a great lady, we’re with her”
In another world and without experience, this could have lowered the morale of any player. But, as if to better silence the detractors, Christiane Ender made the necessary saves in front of Foord twice (73rd, 81st). Saving interventions to maintain the 1-1 and therefore every chance of qualification. Yes, but now, the taunts of the Gunners public with each ball touched with their feet, as if waiting for a new ball, found an echo on the pitch. She is not the only one at fault since Lindsey’s poorly adjusted pass Heapslack of responsiveness the narrow ones played on this new goal “bizarre” de Smith.
Five parades reduced to nothing by two errors, gross indeed. Arsenal, definitely not Endler’s favorite opponent, already guilty last season during the return match at Décines. The past is the past and from now on, the real answer will be on the ground next Saturday (3 p.m.). A response from a great player when the locker room has already given her their support. “She’s a great lady. She’s a great goalkeeper. We’re behind her. She’s behind us, as she has been so many times with her extraordinary saves. We lose together and we win together“, Ada told us Hegerberg. Unity stronger than adversity?
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