LOSC stopped the bleeding last weekend and this time returned to success. Opposed to Valenciennes this Saturday, a very young Lille team won (2-0) in the fog at Domaine de Luchin.
Despite the cold and the drizzle, some supporters came with their families to the LOSC training center this Saturday, like a father and his son, whose eyes seemed to shine as they approached the green rectangle where the different players of the meeting, Lille and Valenciennes alike, warmed up before pulling each other out. This young Mastiff at heart had the right analysis. There will only be one ball left at kick-off and we might as well tell you that it will remain mainly at the feet of the locals, more dominant than ever against the red lantern of National 3.
The film of the meeting
Handicapped by the absence of numerous elements (Lilian Baret, Yassine Khalifi, Isaac Cossier, Aaron Malouda, etc.), the LOSC reserve innovated in certain areas, with Soriba Diaoune on the right flank who celebrated his first tenure, and trusted his youth with several elements accustomed to games at the lower level, among the U19s. This was not a hindrance for the Mastiffs, who hit the bar in the tenth minute through Younes Lachaab, finally caught by an offside. This first situation was only the beginnings of undivided domination on the field, where Lisandru Olmeta only had to make one save (24′).
Solid at the back, Stéphane Pichot's men moved forward in numbers each time they recovered the ball, like Kemryk Nagera and Morgan Costarelli, capable of bringing extra intensity to the sides. What was supposed to happen, happened, with Enzo Grasso opening the score (27′). The attacking midfielder took advantage of a collective situation created on the left then an attempt by Beau Djellel repelled by the Valenciennes goalkeeper to score from close range. Lille's chances then multiplied and, following a high recovery from Kisley Zita, Soriba Diaoune was found deep. The young Mastiff does not tremble and wins his face-to-face to score his second goal at this level (38′). The first period was concluded perfectly by the Mastiffs.
Returning from the locker room, during the second act, LOSC retained its great, very great domination on the leather, while Valenciennes sometimes fell into aggression. Warned as soon as he returned to the pitch (46′), Matteo Le Delas was lucky not to receive a second sanction ten minutes later (54′). His teammate, Yacine El Amri, could not benefit from the leniency of the refereeing body with a logical expulsion for a second yellow card (77′). This made the task even easier for Lille.
For their part, they outrageously dominated the meeting, never being put in danger. The efficiency of the first period was nevertheless no longer present in the second and, despite real situations, bad choices followed one another in the last thirty meters. Kemryk Nagera (71′), Kisley Zita (79′) and Shina Ayodele (86′), to name but a few, lacked lucidity in front of the cages when the Mastiffs were not flagged offside. Regardless, the main thing was done and they could be fully satisfied with their first success (2-0) in two months. The last one dates back to September 7 (3-1 over Saint-Quentin). Despite this slack period, LOSC is second in National 3, one unit behind IC Croix.
Stéphane Pichot's reaction
How do you feel at the final whistle?
We are satisfied. It's a deserved victory. We finally return to victory after having stopped the bleeding at Vimy (3-3) and this draw which was already somewhat synonymous with defeat. In terms of content, the team did what was necessary. We were solid. We conceded and left few opportunities to the opponent by making them break twice. We could undoubtedly have increased the score, but we will retain the content with a very young team and the victory.
Are there any regrets at not having hit the nail on the head in the second half?
Yes, we would have wanted to take cover, to score this third goal which would have been synonymous with a definitive victory for us, but we did not succeed in doing so. As long as we don't score our opportunities and manage to finish, we are never safe from a comeback at the end of the match. Fortunately, we were focused until the end. But obviously, I would have preferred that we scored this third goal to be more free.
What did you think of Morgan Costarelli, who we felt was very liberated?
Morgan comes from training, is progressing very well, he is showing character now and is bringing a lot of things. We have seen a real evolution in his game. He has a very good association with Younes (Lachaab) on his left side and I think our style of play suits him well. He is decisive, impactful in his lane and we are very happy to have him. This allows him to continue moving forward. We never know how far we are going to take our young people, these are club decisions, but our objective as trainers is really to try to bring them to the highest level where they can play. Morgan is making good progress and only the players can set the limits. We are here to work and we feel Morgan is fulfilled.
LOSC 2-0 Valenciennes FC (2-0)
But(s) : Grasso (27′), Diaoune (38′) for LOSC
Warning(s): Le Delas (46′), El Amri (42′, 77′), Ndinga (85′) for the VAFC
LOSC: Olmeta – Nagera, Bonnechère, Vanbaleghem, Costarelli – Zita, Imbondo (Lucea 84′) – Diaoune, Grasso, Lachaab (Akale 84′) – Beau Djellel (Ayodele 64′)
Coach : Stéphane Pichot
VAFC: Obin, Ndinga, Le Delas (Diane 75′), Goelzer (Dureux 90′), Kebbeh, Ciobanu (Tandia 75′), El Amri, Viegbe, Haouari, Ngongolo (Osman 90′), Kouakou (Nyemb 84′)
Coach : Loïc Fievet
