'It motivates you' - Lindsey Heaps on overcoming Champions League heartbreak, the influx of USWNT talent in Europe and giving Emily Fox 'crap' ahead of Lyon's semi-final clash with Arsenal

It might not have been a common occurrence for Heaps to face her compatriots over the years, but it’s becoming more frequent now. Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon's biggest rivals for the league title in France, have three Americans on their books this year, in Korbin Albert, Eva Gaetino and Crystal Dunn, while OL’s potential Champions League final opponents, Chelsea, also have a trio of USWNT stars, made up of Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel.

“When you play a lot of time in the NWSL, like I did, I wanted a different challenge,” Heaps said, asked what she believes has enticed so many players across the pond as of late. “It wasn't anything against the NWSL, but I wanted to come play in the Champions League again, I wanted to play for a big club like this. I think I just needed a different kind of challenge. Maybe that's also what these players felt. Speaking with Nay, speaking with Jenna, speaking with Foxy, that's what they need. That's what they needed at the time.”

After returning to the U.S. to join the Portland Thorns in 2016, following a four-year stint with PSG, Heaps has been back in France for the past three years, helping Lyon to win seven major honours in that time – including the Champions League in 2022. She’s one of just five Americans to lift the UWCL trophy, and should she help Lyon go all the way again this term, she’d become the first to do so twice.

There’s reason for her and Lyon to be optimistic about their chances of success, too. OL have been mightily impressive this term, with head coach Joe Montemurro making a strong start after replacing Sonia Bompastor last summer, when the Frenchwoman departed for Chelsea.

Lyon have won all eight of their Champions League outings this term, with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals sending a huge statement to the rest of Europe as this competition nears its climax. There have been a number of star performers at the heart of such success, with Heaps describing Melchie Dumornay as “one of the best players in the world” amid her outstanding displays. Indeed, the 21-year-old deserves to be in the Ballon d’Or conversation this year. “The things that she can do, it's incredible,” Heaps remarked.

Heaps herself has been right up there as one of Lyon’s best players this term, too, thriving in a Montemurro system that, in his own words, has given players “a little bit more freedom and fluidity”. The 30-year-old is certainly happy with that, praising the “very good” job the new boss has done so far. “I think when you have that bit of freedom and you have that feeling, it brings a lot of confidence,” she added. “I think for a midfielder in general, that's what you want. You don't like being put in a box.”

The feeling is mutual, with Montemurro thoroughly enjoying working with Heaps. “The beauty of it is that she wants to excel as a player. She wants to be better. She wants these little details, these little things that she knows can bring her game to the next level,” he explained.

“We've just really homed in on just where she can be more effective, where she can be a little bit better in certain areas, homed in on, probably, habits that could make her better. I've never met someone that loves the game so much and just wants to be here every day to learn and be better, not for herself, for her team-mates. It's just a pleasure every day working with her.”

Amid that evident cohesion between player and coach, Heaps has racked up some impressive numbers this season, with 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions for Lyon to date. It’s form that she’ll be keen to keep up as the pressure is ramped up this weekend, with the first leg of that Champions League clash with Arsenal to come on Saturday.

It promises to be a big occasion. Montemurro was head coach of the Gunners for four years, guiding the club to its most recent Women's Super League title in 2019, adding another element to a fixture that already has a lot riding on it as a European semi-final that will take place at an iconic ground like the Emirates Stadium.

It should be an entertaining affair, too. Both of these teams like to play the game in an attractive way and Arsenal’s style certainly pleases the eye of Heaps, who didn’t hold back in her praise for the Gunners this week. “They have such incredible players and individuality, the uniqueness of some of their individuals, that's very exciting for a team, but then also the team play is very good,” she said. “I rate them very highly, I respect them so much, so I think that's what makes this game very exciting.”

Respect shouldn’t be confused with any sort of fear, though. Lyon are eight-time European champions and their squad is absolutely brimming with talented players, some of whom have lifted that UWCL title on all eight occasions.

After pondering “how the heck” she would try to defend against Dumornay if she was the Arsenal defence, Heaps went one further. “How do you want to play against our front three?” she asked. “With the things that they can do, I think they can make it really difficult in all areas of the game.”

Indeed, Kadidiatou Diani, the France international winger, has been electric this term, while Tabitha Chawinga – sister of NWSL Golden Boot winner, Temwa – has been an impactful addition after a big season with PSG. Then there is Ada Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner; Eugenie Le Sommer, present for all of OL’s European triumphs; Vicki Becho, the talented youngster averaging a goal involvement per start in the league – the list goes on.

“I think that's just the special quality that we have [in attack],” Heaps continued. “They can get it to feet, they can get it behind, they can hold up the ball, there's a lot of different things. Arsenal has a very strong back line and we have to be good, too. We have to be at our best to exploit them. Again, that's why it makes it a special challenge for both teams.”

Lyon will go into this tie as favourites given their marvellous record of getting over the line in the biggest games. Having endured what Heaps describes as “the worst feeling in the world” when they lost to Barcelona in last year’s final, OL are extra motivated, too. It’s pain that becomes more prevalent in the mind as the potential opportunity to avenge such a loss grows closer.

“Now, full focus is on the game but I think, subconsciously, you always have that,” Heaps said, asked about that feeling. “I think when you fall short, like last year, or in any game, that's kind of there. The feeling is there until you're back in the games that can fix that feeling or give you a different feeling.

“It obviously motivates you. I think all the best players in the world are motivated by defeats and losses and that rollercoaster ride. That's why we play this game and that's where you take the learnings and the lessons. Then you hope that moment creates this new moment for you, and you can excel in it.”

On Saturday, Lyon have one of those new moments. Grab it with both hands, and they could be back in that Champions League final next month. Can they do that? “You don't want to regret not giving your all and not putting everything into those kinds of games,” Heaps said, signing off. “It's, ‘Feel that pressure and accept it’. But I think that's why we remain one of the best teams in the world, because you thrive in it and all these players thrive in it.”