Manhandled throughout the first act, LOSC raised its level in the second half to reverse a disaster scenario and end up winning (2-1) for the first time in 2025. The Mastiffs thus climbed onto the podium.
Capable of shining through ups and downs, in the Coupe de France in particular, LOSC has not yet proven that it is ready to fight for the podium at the start of 2025. Far from their standards, its men are floundering and this is not the case. It was not against OGC Nice, fourth in Ligue 1, that we had to get bogged down again. A few kilometers away, much further south, the pre-match had already proven to be rich in lessons. In difficulty for several weeks, AS Monaco had once again wallowed in style, losing on the Montpellier pitch (2-1), bottom of the championship. Thus, the third member of the podium, behind Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, was necessarily present at the kick-off of this duel between Dogues and Aiglons. It remains to be seen which team will have enough panache to climb onto this coveted podium.
The film of the meeting
Panache? Aligned on the right side, once again in the role of a winger, Mitchel Bakker thought he would fly away from the kick-off, but rushed straight on, head down, towards Marcin Bulka (3′). This first Lille incursion was, however, only a mirage, as the rest was dominated by the Aiglons. The latter also made the public shiver in the process, with a sublime save from Lucas Chevalier (4′). He was forced to work on a good curling attempt from Gaëtan Laborde, when the northern defense was already at bay.
This action was only the beginnings of Nice's control of the game. Superior in the duels, methodical on the tactical level while the Lille block was divided into two distinct parts, they created a multitude of clear chances. Lucas Chevalier still had to relax after a beautiful Riviera combination. This was concluded by a low attempt from Sofiane Diop (13′), repelled with his fingertips by the local child. The pressure further intensified on the Lille cages, whose defenders ended up breaking. On a cross from Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Chevalier is too fair, pushes back into the axis where Thomas Meunier strangely avoids the leather in favor of Sofiane Diop who opens the score (29′), finally alone at point blank range. Nice's advantage could have been clearer if Guessand, who won his duel with the Belgian, had not missed his recovery from the penalty spot (33').
In the opposite direction, LOSC finally got its head above water. Possession of the ball becomes Lille for around ten minutes, without it materializing in actions. An attempt by Thomas Meunier, pushed back with both hands for a corner by Marcin Bulka, was the only notable opportunity, the only shot on target for the Mastiffs during the first act (44'). The latter, however, did not end with this situation, but with a crossbar from Tanguy Ndombélé. Gaëtan Laborde is found at the near post from a corner, and his header benefits the French international who, let down by his marking, kicks the leather onto the bar (45+2′). LOSC suffered, played “like shit”even mentioned Hakon Haraldsson, but his men were miraculous to only be down by one pawn at the break (0-1).
Galvanized by Bruno Genesio's speech, and by a welcome change (Sahrawi in place of Cabella), LOSC snatched the equalizer as soon as they returned to the field. The Moroccan, who had just entered the game, found Jonathan David in space. The Canadian, gifted as a passer, only had to shift to Hakon Haraldssion, whose shot hit the post before finishing in the back of the net (48'). It was unexpected, almost unhoped for, but the Mastiffs were back in the race for the podium.
Spurred on by the equalizer, the Lille team maintained their grip on the game, more incisive in the duels and capable of taking more risks when their men threw themselves forward. If balls were lost, the Aiglons were just as lost, destabilized by less readable circuits. It was ultimately on a set piece that LOSC made the difference. The indestructible Bafodé Diakité was in the right place at the right time, receiving a ball returned by Jonathan Clauss towards his own goal, to hit the mark and give his team the advantage (63'). This is already the seventh goal for a Lille defender this season.
-Truly stunned, OGC Nice struggled to threaten the Lille defense, or even to create play. Only Melvin Bard, found after a ride from Guessand, missed the inevitable at point-blank range. Unlike their last trip to the Vélodrome, the Mastiffs resisted and maintained their advantage until the final whistle (2-1). They are finally on the podium!
LOSC 2-1 OGC Nice (0-1)
18th day of Ligue 1 – Friday January 17 – 9:05 p.m. – 38,325 spectators
But(s) : Haraldsson (48′), Diakité (63′) for LOSC, Diop (29′), for OGC Nice
Warning(s) : André (34′) for LOSC, Clauss (42′), Boudaoui (84′), Ndombele (86′) for OGC Nice
LOSC : Chevalier – Meunier, Diakité, Alexsandro, Ismaily – André Gomes (Mukau 74′), André – Bakker (Bouaddi 80′), Haraldsson (Mandi 90′), Cabella (Sahraoui 46′) – David
Coach : Bruno Genesio
OGC Nice : Bulka – Clauss, Ndayishimiye, Dante (cap.), Abdi (Bard 77′) – Rosario (Ndombélé 14′), Boudaoui – Cho (Nguene 78′), Diop (Bouanani 77′), Guessand – Laborde (Moukoko 77′ )
Coach : Franck Haise
Related News :