“ We have to be realistic, we depend on the results of others, we will only be able to move up the rankings if our direct opponents (Monaco and Brest) do not win their last three matches. Everyone is waiting for Brest to falter, but what they are doing is magnificent, they have a very strong state of mind », explained Paulo Fonseca on Saturday afternoon at a press conference.
If a few hours later Monaco almost validated its second place by sweeping Clermont (4-1), the surprising Brestois did not confirm the praise of the Lille coach and for their part remained short of ideas against Nantes (0 -0). A victory would have consolidated their third place, on the contrary they are within gunshot of the Mastiffs who will dislodge them from the podium in the event of success this Monday against Lyon.
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That’s the advantage of playing on a Monday after everyone else. LOSC already knew that it absolutely had to win to stay alive in this breathtaking final sprint, it now knows that success would allow it to have its destiny in its hands again. The issue is not trivial. Because if everyone on the Domaine de Luchin side dreams of reaching the Champions League, third place would allow them to join the big European scene without having to overcome the obstacle of four thorny qualifying matches at the heart of the month. of August. A direct place in the middle of the European elite would also be the only valid argument to bring back to the North a coach at the end of his contract whose future is the other issue at the end of the season.
Fonseca: “We created a connection with our supporters”
The scene is set, it remains to be confirmed on the Pierre-Mauroy lawn the control of a team whose game is praised by all observers and which delights the regulars of the place. “ We created a connection with our audience, the atmosphere at home has been magnificent all season and the players feel it », continues Paulo Fonseca. In the last 40 matches in its lair, LOSC has only bitten the dust once (against Reims, 2-1, September 26, editor’s note). But if he has most of the time put his opponents through the mill, he knows that he must not lower the cursor against the Lyonnais who, after having hit rock bottom in the fall, are floating again and dreaming also from Europe. “ They are very strong in the last thirty meters, their transition game is one of the best in Ligue 1 », underlines Paulo Fonseca, aware that we must not do things by halves. The Champions League is well worth it.
LILLE – LYON, this evening (9 p.m.), live on Prime Video and on our site.
Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. Referee: Mr. Bastien.
LILLE: Knight; T. Santos, Yoro, Diakité, Ismaily; Bentaleb, Gomes; Yazici, Haraldsson, Gudmundsson; David (cap).
Substitutes: Mannone (g), Jakubech (g), Alexsandro, Bouaddi, Cabella, Cavaleiro, Dago, Morais, Zhegrova.
Absent: André, Ilic, Miramon, Umtiti (injured), Fernandes, Ounas (coach’s choice).
Coach: Paulo Fonseca.
LYON: Lopes; Maitland-Niles, O’Brien, Caleta-Car, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Matic, Tolisso; Nuamah, Lacazette (cape), Benrahma. Coach: Pierre Sage.
