ASSE will move to Lille this Saturday for a second consecutive trip after that against Auxerre this Friday (1-1). While the LOSC will play in the Champions League this Wednesday, they will have to make with 2 important absences on Saturday.
The Racing Club of Strasbourg struck a big blow this Saturday by putting an end to the series of 14 matches without defeat of Lille in Ligue 1.. A 2-1 victory at the Meinau which, beyond doing good to the Alsatians in their Fight for maintenance, raises questions about the Lille dynamic as they approach their duel against AS Saint-Étienne next Saturday at the Pierre Mauroy stadium.
2 important absences against ASSE
Besides the defeat, Lille received bad news: the winger Kosovar Edon Zhegrova, injured in the pubis, will be absent for six weeks. A heavy loss for Bruno Génésio because Zhegrova had been one of the most impactful players in recent weeks. This unavailability is added to that of Benjamin André, suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. The captain, a true metronome of the midfielder, will cruelly miss the Lille organization.
These absences could open a gold opportunity for the Greens. Committed to a stroke of fierce maintenance, the Stéphanois are counting on this trip to take precious points. During the first leg, ASSE won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mathieu Cafaro. This memory may well inspire the team of Eirik Horneland, who has found a certain defensive solidity in recent weeks, especially outside.
-For Saint-Etienne, which occupies an uncomfortable position at the bottom of the table, a positive result at the Pierre Mauroy stadium would be a real bowl of air. But ASSE will have to be intractable against an injured Lille team, which remains formidable at home despite its absences. The speed and creativity of players like Rémy Cabella or Jonathan David remain dangerous weapons.
Saturday evening's match therefore promises to be played. For Lille, it will be a question of raising the head and of showing that the hook against Strasbourg was only a false step. For ASSE, it is a unique chance to get closer to the maintenance in the face of a diminished opponent. Will the Greens know how to take advantage of it? Response Saturday at 9 p.m.
