In this section, Le Petit Lillois gives the floor to LOSC supporters after each of their matches. This time, it was with a certain amount of concern that some of them commented on the draw conceded against RC Strasbourg (3-3) and the current streak.
Back at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy this Saturday, LOSC was set up for the first time this season in a 4-2-3-1 formation that a section of the supporters had been demanding. However, this new system did not allow the Dogues to reassure themselves, much more attractive offensively, but entangled in serious difficulties at the back. This double face was illustrated by two goals from Edon Zhegrova at the start of the match (15′ and 27′) before the scenario became irrational. Caught out, Benjamin André first forced Lucas Chevalier to save before offering two cartridges to the visitors. The passive defense did not support its goalkeeper who made two reflex saves, but conceded a first goal (30′). About ten minutes later (42′), Emanuel Emegha scored the equalizer in slippers, left alone in the heart of the area. The shipwreck continued for long minutes, almost throughout the second half during which LOSC conceded a third goal (66′). Fortunately, Lucas Chevalier made two memorable saves (75′ and 77′) to revive his team, who snatched a draw at the end of the match (3-3) thanks to Tiago Santos and Jonathan David (sp. 84′).
This match was commented on by Dimitri, Pierrick and Esteban, three supporters interviewed coldly, a few days after the final whistle. Their comments are an opportunity to return once again to the recently played match, but from a different angle to what we can traditionally see in the press.
A question of feeling
Neutralized by RC Strasbourg, LOSC did not make its supporters dream despite a rain of goals (3-3). At the final whistle, it was disappointment that prevailed in the hearts of Lille: “I’m obviously rather disappointed to have drawn when we know the score after 25 minutes of play, but happy when we know it in the 70th minute. There was a reaction to highlight, which suggests that the players are involved and behind their coach. We must not forget that Strasbourg is a team that will hurt more than one opponent this season.”Pierrick began gently, whose desire to be reassuring was not enough to convince Esteban: “I can’t be anything but disappointed, this is not the first time that such a scenario has happened. […] We were leading 2-0 after 30 minutes, the players were dominating and the game plan was effective. To be equalized and then concede a third goal, at home, against such a young and inexperienced team, is problematic. We are in our 5th game without a win, we are coming off four consecutive defeats, it is difficult to detect any positives”he analyzed.
For his part, Dimitri is a little more nuanced. Before seeing a certain form of frustration emerge given the scenario of the meeting, he appreciated Lille’s offensive inclinations: “We still saw some very interesting things on the offensive side.he tempers. I’m not sure that LOSC’s problem is the system. I think it’s the involvement and the mentality that are lacking. This time, I saw things that were more coherent and more in line with the values of a Dogue. These are things that we had lost in recent weeks and it gave us thirty very interesting minutes. Then, what worries me is our defense.”he concludes, in a simple introduction.
SOS Defense
Now that it has started, there is no turning back. We must roll up our sleeves and tackle the sore subject: defense. On this level, it was no longer possible to stop Dimitri in his decryption: “When you analyze the situation coldly, you tell yourself that last year was a real feat. We managed to create a solid hinge with three players (including the goalkeeper) under 23. Normally, that, at the top level, is not possible.he judges first. There is this story of age, but also of level. Intrinsically, I find that the individual level of our defensive players is not crazy. I found it crazy to fight for the podium with such a defense. I simply tell myself that today, we see the real level of our defenders. Did Fonseca manage to make them outperform? I don’t know, but in any case their real level is scary for the big deadlines”, he thus launches, quickly joined by Esteban: “I think above all that the defense lacks quality, some players do not have or no longer have the level required to play for LOSC”he said coldly, point-blank.
A coin was then put back into the machine named Dimitri: “I find it hard to believe that this will be enough. I am worried about the future at this level and that is why I do not think that the idea of a three-man defense was a bad thing. And then, the recruits who arrived behind are not big names. Aïssa Mandi was already coming off a very complicated season. Now, I have the impression that there are only Milous in our defense and that we are missing a Tintin.”he concluded with a comparison worthy of the greatest works. To detail the thought pattern, Tintin is supposed to be the defender mixing experience and quality, an element on which the Milous, young players in full development, can “rely” in the event of a slump.
Pierrick is then overcome by concern. Unable to contradict his two colleagues, he points out the work carried out on this plan within the club: “I think the 3-at-the-back system was effective in August, but it upset some benchmarks. The players have also lacked confidence for a few games. If this continues, we will really have to question the defensive involvement of the staff and perhaps readjust it or change some sessions.”he believes, to close the debate.
A crisis, a bad word?
Before conceding this draw at home, LOSC was on a run of four consecutive defeats. If the haemorrhage has been stopped, as Lucas Chevalier has repeated several times, Lille’s momentum is not any more encouraging with five games without a win. This series had not been experienced by LOSC for five years and… another anniversary of the Dogues Virage Est. This is a calendar coincidence that we would have liked to spare the section which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. But then, does this bad momentum justify the use of the following term, that of crisis?
“No, it’s too earlyinsists Pierrick, keen to tackle the subject head on. Of the four defeats suffered, there is one that is really difficult to swallow, the one against Saint-Etienne,” he begins, followed in an instant by Esteban: “Worried is a big word, I think it’s too early to worry or jump to conclusions,” he confirms. In a month, if the situation doesn’t change or gets worse, the management will obviously have to act, but I trust the club to get back on its feet, it’s a bad patch, there were changes at LOSC this summer and I think we need time to adapt, hoping that it doesn’t last too long.”
“I feel like something is broken”
“It’s certain that we are in a period that brings us back down to earth,” Pierrick concluded for his part, half-heartedly, then letting Dimitri speak: “Frankly, yes. We are LOSC, not Guingamp. That’s what we said at the time when Jocelyn Gourvennec was the coach and with five games without a win, it’s starting to get complicated.”he judges, taking the opposite course to that chosen by his two companions. We must of course not forget the context. There are still many injuries and the fact that we have already played a lot of matches this summer. But what is certain is that it is scary. If you do not win at Le Havre, then you play Real Madrid and it is difficult to imagine a victory. In my eyes, LOSC is going through a crisis. Will Genesio find the levers quickly? I do not know and do not really know if he is the problem either. I think that we played really well at the beginning of the season, so I do not think so. I found us unpredictable and I do not want to throw everything in the trash. I have the impression that there has been a breakdown since the match against Paris Saint-Germain. Did he lose the players with the sanctions (Thomas Meunier, Jonathan David and Rémy Cabella had been left out of the starting eleven, editor’s note)? I don’t know, but I feel like something is broken.”
