The festivities can only be beautiful. For its 80th anniversary, LOSC takes the scalp of the ghostly Stade Rennais (1-0) this Sunday as part of the twelfth day of Ligue 1. Edon Zhegrova, scorer, was injured (86').
From Alain Simon to José Fonte, including Peter Odewingie, Milenko Acimovic and Yohan Cabaye, all generations of Mastiffs were represented on the red carpet this Sunday, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of LOSC. The symbolic lap of honor will have made the people of Lille shiver, happy to be able to reconnect with these old glories and these old mentors. The reunion had also been warm a few minutes earlier with the press. Far from the pressure imposed by a club, the people of Lille all showed a huge smile when meeting old acquaintances whom they rubbed shoulders with on the side of the pitch.
On the pitch, because we also need to talk about it, it was the men of Jorge Sampaoli, new coach of Stade Rennais, who arrived in the North. The latter, thirteenth in Ligue 1, have not won an away match since May 4, 2024. A good omen? This is undoubtedly what Charly Samoy, the oldest LOSC player, and Ismail Boussadia, the youngest member of the training center, were hoping for during the fictitious kick-off. The story is happening now!
The film of the meeting
In turmoil, the wings of the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy first witnessed a first round of observation, concluded by the premature exit of Rennes defender Alidu Seidu (knee) due to injury. At home, LOSC gradually took control of the game and created the best situations for themselves. The first came from the right foot of Mitchel Bakker, whose half-volley leveled Steve Mandanda's post (25'). The pressure then intensified, but the debates were constantly interrupted by repeated mistakes made by the Rennais (7 mistakes during the first half hour).
From the left side to the right wing, it was Edon Zhegrova who entered the area after a solo ride. He also favored a hook then a strike repelled by Steve Mandanda rather than collective action. There were three in the area (39′). However, it was only a postponement for Kosovar who, at the start of the final action of this first period, was also at its conclusion. He took advantage of a missed recovery by Jonathan David, well served by Rémy Cabella, to cross a saving attempt into the small left net
(45′, 1-0). So, at the break, there were only smiles in the stands of the Lille arena.
The first act, very committed, left little room for a much more lively second period. The Bretons are unable to respond to Lille's control, which concedes very little, if any, dangerous situations, which is not the case in the opposing area, in which Jonathan David believes he scores the break goal (57′ ). Edon Zhegrova, finally flagged offside, escaped alone on his wing, arriving at full speed in the area to end up overtaking his Canadian friend, top scorer for his team.
The Kosovar was also at the initiative of the vast majority of Lille's offensives in the second half, when the first had been more balanced with an active Mitchel Bakker on his side. The latter also left shortly after the hour mark (69′). Hero in Nice, Matias Fernandez-Pardo was not as inspired this Sunday, fading away little by little after a debut marked by beautiful rides of which only he has the secret. His individual dynamic followed the rhythm of the match, slower and slower as the minutes passed, until endless added time (7 minutes).
Lille supporters also had time to celebrate the 80th anniversary of LOSC with a choreography. Some brandished smoke bombs, synonymous with candles: “80 years of history, passion and legends”, could we read in the stands, where giant faces also appeared. However, the festivities were only just beginning as the Mastiffs raised their arms at the final whistle (1-0).
LOSC 1-0 Stade Rennais (1-0)
Twelfth day of Ligue 1 – Sunday November 24 – 3 p.m. – 46,019 spectators
But(s) : Zhegrova (45′) for LOSC
Warning(s) : Mandi (40′) for LOSC, Nagida (24′) for Stade Rennais
LOSC : Chevalier – Mandi, Diakité, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson – André, Bouaddi – Zhegrova (Sahraoui 87′), Cabella (Haraldsson 81′), Bakker (Fernandez-Pardo 69′) – David (Bayo 88′)
Coach : Bruno Genesio
Stade Rennais : Mandanda – Hateboer, Ostigard, Seidu (Faye 18′) – Assignon, Kamara (Kamara 46′), Matusiwa, Nagida – Gronbaek (Blas 63′), Kalimuendo, Gouiri
Coach : Jorge Sampaoli
