This Friday, AS Monaco hosts LOSC on the pitch of the Stade Louis-II (8:45 p.m.), on the program for the 8th day of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. So before the match kicks off, here is what you need to know about the Mastiffs.
A meeting with a European feel. Before facing Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League next Tuesday (6:45 p.m.), the Red and Whites will first have to face LOSC this Friday evening in a major confrontation for the 8th day of Ligue 1 (8:45 p.m.). So before this clash kicks off, here is what you need to know about the northern team. Presentation ????️
A place as a roadblock snatched ????
To begin with, Lille finished the last Ligue 1 exercise in fourth place, synonymous with the Champions League play-offs. A season notably marked by a series of invincibility of 12 matches at home (between Reims on J6 and Lyon on J32, the only two defeats of the club at home TCC, editor’s note), allowing Paulo Fonseca’s men to stabilize in the top of the ranking and fight for European places.
However, this start of the 2024-2025 championship for LOSC is slightly more complicated, with four consecutive losses in four matches in all competitions (Slavia Prague, PSG, ASSE, Sporting). The Northerners have since been able to make up for it by winning on the Le Havre pitch (0-3) then at home against Toulouse (2-1).
Real losers in the Champions League ????????
Despite this complicated start to the season, Lille achieved the feat of bringing down Real Madrid at the Stade Pierre Mauroy! After passing the two qualifying rounds against Fenerbahçe and Slavia Prague, the Mastiffs allowed France to field a fourth representative in C1.
Despite an opening defeat on the field of Sporting Lisbon (2-0), Jonathan David’s teammates were able to produce the perfect match against Real Madrid to win against the most successful club in the LDC (15 victories), thanks to to the Canadian striker, scorer from the penalty spot (1-0).
Bruno Genesio at the helm ????
A major feat for LOSC, due in part to the coaching of the new northern coach, Bruno Genesio. Arrived at the head of the team in the summer of 2024 after the departure of Paulo Fonseca to AC Milan, the former coach of Lyon and Rennes (124 matches for 1.73 average points) thus displays a record of seven victories , two draws and four defeats in 13 matches in all competitions. With him, Lille is currently 5th in Ligue 1 with 13 points, and in the top 24 in the Champions League league phase.
They had some difficulties at the start of the season but now they have stabilized. They have changed their structure a little but most of the time they play 4-2-3-1. They have very interesting players like Edon Zhegrova, one of the best in the championship, Ayyoub Bouaddi who is only 17 years old and has incredible talent, or even Bafode Diakité and Angel Gomes.
Adi HütterAbout LOSC
A hybrid game plan ????
During his time on Breton soil, the coach had often modified his playing pattern, alternating between 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. En the start of the season, Bruno Genesio this time opted for a three-way defense in 3-4-2-1 (three times) or 5-4-1 (four times), before establishing his famous 4-2 -3-1. A profitable choice since Lille have not lost in four matches with this system.
Notable absentees ????
If LOSC has seen a resurgence in form recently, the northern team suffers from numerous absences. Not to mention the departure of Leny Yoro to Manchester United in the summer transfer window, the infirmary is full with no less than six injured: Bentaleb, Haraldsson, Ismaily, Mbappé, Tiago Santos and Umtiti.
Including the latest, the Portuguese full-back, who seriously injured his knee this week. If we add captain Benjamin André, the Mastiffs will present themselves with a rejuvenated team in the Principality.
Return of two alumni from the Rock ????
Two players who have worn the colors of both clubs will be traveling to the Principality this Friday. We find in the squad, Vito Mannone (11 matches played with AS Monaco) as well as Marc-Aurèle Caillard from the Monegasque team, without having played in official competition with the Rouge et Blanc.
Overall, no less than 42 players have played at least one meeting with both teams. Among them, names like Djibril Sidibé, Eric Abidal and Tony Silva come straight to mind.
Players to follow ????
Osame Sahraoui, the Moroccan technician ????????
He is the man in form in the last matches! Starting against Le Havre and Toulouse, Osame Sahraoui delivered two assists during the first meeting, then another against the Occitan club. The player who arrived from Heerenveen also honored his first international cap with Morocco during this October break against the Central African Republic, in the company of Eliesse Ben Seghir, after being selected with Norway.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, record for precocity ????
He is the embodiment of Lille youth. Last year, Ayyoub Bouaddi became the youngest player to have played a Ligue 1 match, at just 16 years and 20 days old (against Brest, October 22, 2023). This season, the midfielder continues to break records for precociousness, notably being the youngest Lille player to start in the Champions League, what’s more on his birthday (17 years old, last October 2).
Mitchell Baker, a revealing loan ????
An unexpected return to the French championship this time! After his experience in the capital at PSG, Mitchell Baker this time discovers the North for a season-long loan to Lille from Atalanta Bergamo. In competition with Gabriel Gudmundsson, it is the Dutch left-back who could be aligned, on the strength of his victorious goal against Toulouse, he who has not left for the national team unlike his Swedish counterpart.
