Melchie Dumornay can be OL Lyonnes’ key to a ninth Champions League title | OneFootball

After sealing the Coupe de la Ligue with the only goal against PSG, 22-year-old Haitian midfielder Melchie Dumornay could be pivotal for OL Lyonnes as their Champions League knockout campaign starts away to Wolfsburg on Tuesday night.

"When I hear the Champions League anthem, I get goosebumps, it is like a war cry and the signal that the battle begins," she told Queenzine.

She impressed in the league phase and joined Lyon in summer 2023 after Reims and the World Cup with Haiti, arriving with clear ambitions, including winning this competition and, in time, challenging for the Ballon d'Or.

Repositioned as a forward by Joe Montemurro last season, she scored 22 in 28, and although OL lifted only the French title, she finished among the top three players in Première Ligue and placed 18th in the Ballon d'Or list.

The arrival of Jonatan Giraldez, plus Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Ada Hegerberg's resurgence, has moved her back into midfield, where her range is best used. The coach expects her to contribute in attack and defence and values her in build-up, progression and arriving in the box. She says stricter positioning helps her create between the lines and stay fresher.

From deeper, she has three league goals but nine assists, including one for Hegerberg in the 2-0 win over Fleury last weekend. In Europe she hit braces against Arsenal, 2-1 on 7 October, and Manchester United, 3-0 on 10 December, making her OL Lyonnes' leading scorer in this season's competition.

Source: L'Équipe