Lille sealed their qualification for the Champions League after their success (3-2) at home against Sturm Graz thanks to new winning coaching from Bruno Genesio. Find the tops and flops of the meeting.
Genesio’s (again) winning coaching
With its success against Sturm Graz (3-2), Lille offered itself its 15th consecutive match without defeat in all competitions, at the head of this incredible series there is a coach: Bruno Genesio. Once again, against the leader of the Austrian championship he made THE right choices. Deprived of one of his best players Zhegrova (withdrawal), the former OL coach surprised everyone by aligning left back Mitchel Bakker as right winger. A choice that paid off since the former Parisian scored a nice goal (45+2). Held in check for many minutes in the second half, the Mastiff tactician made THE right change to snatch the victory by letting Haraldson in. On his first ball, the Icelander released his team. His nickname “Pep Genesio” suits him so well.
Sahrawi makes Zhegrova forget
It took a lot to forget the absence of the Mastiffs' X factor Edon Zhegrova. If the victory was won with difficulty, Osame Sahraoui strolled in his left lane. Comfortable with the ball, the Moroccan made his counterparts endure hell. Reflecting his technical superiority, on a quick counterattack, he outsmarted the entire defense to score the first goal of the match. In addition to good dribbling quality, he showed off his impeccable finishing. Over the course of the matches, the former Heerenveen player gains strength to the great happiness of the Mastiffs.
Haraldson delivers Losc
Absent for several weeks due to injury, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson made a successful return to the northern club. Already a scorer against Brest on the last day of Ligue 1, against Sturm Graz he only needed a touched ball to find the net (81'). Impeccable and decisive sequence for the former Copenhagen player who arrived in the summer of 2023 for 15 million euros. He was close to a perfect match and could have delivered a nice assist to Mohamed Bayo to make the break (89').
Lille can tickle the Top 8
Who would have bet on Lille. Certainly the northerners have on paper a better squad than Brest but given the draw, the mission looked complicated for Losc. And yet after six days, the Mastiffs have 13 points and are guaranteed to compete at least in the play-offs. But the reds and whites can dream of a Top 8 synonymous with direct qualification for the round of 16. Currently 8th, Genesio's men will challenge a probably overhauled Liverpool team. Already assured of appearing in the first eight, the Reds will certainly rotate for the reception of Losc. And Lille will close its group stage with the reception of Feyenoord. A viable club on paper.
FLOPS
David the stop?
Highly anticipated, Jonathan David remained silent against Sturm Graz. Irresistible this season, the Canadian striker from Losc was looking for his fifth goal in the Champions League. The top scorer in Ligue 1 remained on two consecutive doubles. Facing the Austrians, he had difficulty getting rid of the markings of those opposite him. When he had the opportunity to express himself, the 24-year-old center forward made the wrong choices (7', 13') or lacked precision (61'). A match to forget for the serial scorer of the Mastiffs who still came out with an assist.
Bouaddi the mistake of youth
We must not forget that he is only 17 years old. Mature so far for his European outings, Ayyoub Bouaddi revealed during his team's incredible success against Real missed out on his meeting this Wednesday evening at Pierre Mauroy. Good on his legs and comfortable in his dribbling, the French Moroccan despite himself allowed Sturm Graz to come back into the score as soon as they returned from the locker room (46'). With his back to the game, he logically had the ball stolen in a dangerous area by Boving who then served Biereth for the 2-2. Stunned, he logically gave way to Mukau 9 minutes later (56').
Sturm Graz exits through the back door
He had to win at all costs to continue dreaming of a potential play-off position. With 3 points in five games, Sturm Graz did not show that good a face against Lille. Very happy to be put back in the match by a weak move from the locals, Jurgen Saumel's men gave the impression of never believing it. Cornered in their area and too imprecise in their transmissions, like its competition and like its compatriots Salzburg, Sturm Graz will exit through the back door of this European competition which it found again 24 years later.
