LOSC managed to grab a draw against Juventus (1-1) this Tuesday, November 5. A great operation for the 4th day of the Champions League regular season. Lille suffered, but held on, and are in 12th place in the standings at mid-term.
The Champions League on myCANAL
Real, Atlético, Juventus… None of the European big names managed to bring down Bruno Génésio’s LOSC. At the end of a match dominated in possession by Juventus, the Mastiffs managed to maintain the draw (1-1). And this despite opening the score with a flash of genius from Zhegrova and David. After the equalizer on Vlahovic’s penalty, Lille pushed and tried, without ever succeeding. This remains a very good operation for the northern club. 7 points acquired after such mountains, qualification for the next phase seems more than affordable from the next deadlines (Bologna, Sturm Graz, Liverpool and Feyenoord).
More accounts to come…
The calm before the storm!
Very quickly, Lille created an offensive. David, at the helm, infiltrated the last 20 meters and fired a first strike. This was countered by Gatti, who saved Juventus in the first moments of the game (3rd). The Mastiffs, without possession of the ball, applied very intense pressure, undermining the Bianconeri in their own half. The first quarter of an hour still remained in favor of Juventus, with clear but sterile possession.
Quite a few clear opportunities showed up. If Juventus clearly confiscated the ball from LOSC, Lille showed solidity and solidarity in defense. However, Diakité made a small mistake by losing the ball, which was quickly recovered by Juventus. Vlahovic, in the penalty area, managed to cross for Koopmeiners, who scored a goal with his right foot! But, on the touchline, the flag rose: Vlahovic was in an offside position (24th).
Zhegrova, David, Chevalier… We take the same ones and start again!
Edon Zhegrova, strong man for the Mastiffs in the Champions League, was in high demand on his right side during Lille’s possessions. But the trigger came from a defensive return from Kosovar. In the duel with Cabal, number 23 came out of the pressing wonderfully. In the distance, Jonathan David went deep and his teammate completed a pass which fooled the Old Lady’s defense. Face to face with Di Gregorio, the Canadian scored the first goal of the match, and what a goal (1-0, 27th)! A fourth goal in C1 for the other strong man of LOSC this season!
When the Lille strongmen began to shine, Chevalier was quick to join the game. On the right side, Manuel Locatelli managed to cross towards Vlahovic, in the penalty area. On reception, the Bianconeri number 9 took over from the right without control, but Lucas Chevalier released the ball with a spectacular save (34th). Very quickly, in search of an equalizer, Juve resumed their domination of the ball. Served on the left side, Yildiz overflowed, while Aïssa Mandi slipped in front of the young Turk. The leather went towards Koopmeiners, who scored again! But the Dutchman saw his second goal canceled for an offside position by Yildiz (41st). Well helped by the opposing illegal positions and the Chevalier – Zhegrova – David trio, Lille were well on their way to repeating a feat in the Champions League!
Juve equalizes from the penalty spot, nothing to slow down LOSC!
36% possession for Lille at half-time, but the strength of the Mastiffs lay in adversity. She also resided in the cages, because faced with the numerous Italian offensives, it took a great goalkeeper to say stop. After a cross from the right, Lucas Chevalier lay down and knocked the ball away. But Khephren Thuram managed to recover before following up with a shot from the inside of his right foot. A powerful shot that went well, before the French goalkeeper intervened in the air (54th)!
However, a mistake can happen so quickly. And on the LOSC side, we didn’t think it could come from the captain, Benjamin André. Alone in the Lille area, Conceiçao managed to get past Diakité to get into a striking position. But the LOSC midfielder arrived to support and extended his leg late. Obvious penalty for Juventus, which was transformed by Vlahovic on the wrong foot (1-1, 60th).
The Mastiffs pushed, but came up against Juventus
Despite Juventus’ large possession, the Mastiffs did not give up. Aggressive in midfield, Lille created opportunities to regain the advantage, but never managed to finish in front of Di Gregorio. Zhegrova, who loved all the balls, infiltrated the area before unleashing a powerful strike. The Old Lady goalkeeper intervened and sent the ball for a corner (78th).
Despite good intentions and a very successful second period from Bouaddi, Bruno Génésio’s LOSC failed to score a second goal. A draw at home, which remains a good result against a Juventus team, undefeated in the league! Lille have therefore not created a third major feat in Europe, but have achieved a very good operation halfway through this Champions League regular season.
