After two exploits against Real Madrid and Atlético, Lille must this time be content with a draw against Juventus (1-1) in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Losc led at half-time, before being joined in the second half by the Turinese, much more enterprising and in control of the match. Lille must therefore be satisfied with this point which keeps them in a positive dynamic and above all a good position in the league phase rankings. With seven points in four matches, they are still well placed (twelfth) to finish at least between ninth and 24th places, synonymous with play-offs in two matches to reach the round of 16. Juve (tenth) is in a similar situation with the same number of points.
Lille could probably not hope for better in view of this meeting where it was too often on the edge against the Italian club, better in place and generally dominant.
Even during the first act, Thiago Motta’s players had control of the match, both in terms of possession of the ball (60%) and the number of chances. They also scored twice (24th, 41st) but these goals were refused for offside.
Opposite, Lille opened the scoring thanks to a flash of genius from Edon Zhegrova, who first made Juan Cabal dance in his own half before giving a bright deep pass to Jonathan David, who finished with a precise cross shot (27th). Who else than the Canadian striker to start his team? He has been in dazzling form since the start of the season, and has already scored six goals since the start of this European campaign, including those scored in the preliminary round and the promotion play-off.
It was he who had already given the memorable victory against Real (1-0) a month ago, and who had scored a double against Atlético (3-1). But this one-goal advantage did not last the duration of this meeting, unsurprisingly given the Turin reaction. From the start of the second act, the Italian club pushed and it took a great performance from Lucas Chevalier to contain their attacks.
Decisive on the European scene since the start of the season, the young goalkeeper (22 years old) did everything to keep the score to his team’s advantage, with well-intentioned exits (32nd), a sublime flight to divert a recovery by Dusan Vlahovic (34th), or even a triple saving intervention (54th). But he was unable to do anything when the Serbian striker wrong-footed him with an ideally taken penalty (60th), after an unusually naive foul by captain Benjamin André in front of Francisco Conceiçao (58th).
A few minutes earlier, Bruno Genesio, seeing the danger looming, had nevertheless made a defensive change by launching defensive midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau in place of the offensive Angel Gomes (55th). After equalizing, Juve seemed content with this result, loosening its grip, and Losc had two last chances through the omnipresent Edon Zhegrova (78th, 83rd). Without tipping this match in his favor.
Once again, Lille did not bow down against a European great, winner of the most prestigious and lucrative European club competition twice, but this time they must share the points.
After two prestigious successes against Real Madrid (1-0) and Atlético Madrid (3-1), Losc had to be content with a draw. Jonathan David (27th) opened the scoring for the Mastiffs, his fourth goal of the current campaign, Dusan Vlahovic offering Juve the equalizer on a penalty on the hour mark (60th).
Lille Juventus Champions League
