Focus on LOSC’s opponents
Sporting Portugal – LOSC, Tuesday September 17 at 9 p.m.
The Lisbon club has won 20 league titles and a Cup Winners’ Cup. It has been used to European competitions for years. This first match is important and tricky for Lille. It is never easy for French clubs to bring back a good result from the Estadio José Alvalade.
LOSC – Real Madrid, Wednesday October 2 at 9 p.m.
Historically, Real Madrid CF is the most famous club on the world stage, having won 31 international competitions. At the end of the 2024 season, Real Madrid holds the record for the number of titles in La Liga (36 titles), Champions League (15 titles), Club World Cup (5 titles) and UEFA Super Cup (6 titles). Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé make up the Spanish club’s fiery attack.
Atlético de Madrid – LOSC, Wednesday October 23 at 9 p.m.
It is the club of an iconic coach, Diego Simeone, one of the best French players, Antoine Griezmann and the best goalkeeper in the world, Jan Oblak. A full-bodied menu for the Dogues in a stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano, where the atmosphere is electric.
LOSC – Juventus, Tuesday November 5 at 9 p.m.
The Old Lady no longer has her former splendor. However, she remains a sure bet in Italian football. Against her, Lille will have to get a result in this new formula in the form of a championship. Winner of two Champions Leagues, the Bianconeri will come to seek a result in Villeneuve d’Ascq led by its striker Dusan Vlahovic under the leadership of their new coach Thiago Motta. Two former Lille players play in the Italian club: Timothy Weah and Tiago Diallo (loaned this season to FC Porto).
Bologna – LOSC, Wednesday 27 November at 9 p.m.
This is the Italians’ second Champions League campaign. Fifth in Serie A in 2024, it is not easy to win at the Renato Dall’Ara and its 38,279 seats.
LOSC – Sturm Graz, Wednesday, December 11 at 6:45 p.m.
Lille beat the Austrians 3-0 in the Europa League this season in the round of 16. A victory will be welcome in this mini-championship.
Liverpool – LOSC, Tuesday January 21 at 9 p.m.
A legendary club in the English championship, the Reds will host Lille in their famous Anfield stadium. Lille lost in 2010 in the round of 16 3-0 in the Europa League after a first leg victory: 1-0. Mohamed Salah is still Liverpool’s star player.
LOSC- Feyenoord, Wednesday January 29 at 9 p.m.
This team is at the same level as Lille. This is a match where they must not lose points. Their only confrontation dates back to October 28, 1975 in a friendly: LOSC vs Feyenoord in a friendly 1-1.
New regulations for the Champions League
The Champions League begins with a regular season with more clubs involved: from 32 to 36 teams. Finish the usual home-and-away confrontations, and the 8 groups of 4 teams, from now on a single ranking brings together the 36 clubs. They will be ranked according to their points obtained. At the end of the regular season, the lowest ranked teams, i.e. between places 25 and 36, will be eliminated from the competition and will not be drafted into the Europa League. The best teams, those having finished in the first 8 places, will qualify directly for the round of 16 of the competition. They will have the advantage of being seeded, and therefore not playing each other in the next round.
