Fourth in Ligue 1 at the end of the first part of the season, LOSC was also able to validate its place for the top 24 in the Champions League in addition to avoiding the trap in the Coupe de France against Rouen. And if all the indicators seem to be green for a good season, Walid Acherchour expressed some doubts about the real level of performance of the Mastiffs in the Génération After show.
A very positive first part of the season
If he expressed doubts during the appointment of Bruno Genesio, Walid Acherchour can only draw a positive assessment of the first six months of the technician from Lyon at the head of LOSC.
“I have often been demanding with Lille, there are matches that I did not like, where I often said that it was Chevalier who stood out from these matches. I thought there was a bit of success on the part of Lille. When we take the general context of the club, the departure of Paulo Fonseca, the arrival of Bruno Genesio, the loss of Nabil Bentaleb who was an important player last season, the departure of Leny Yoro or even the injuries of Tiago Santos and 'Angel Gomes, a rather clever recruitment, the fact of starting the season in July… Finding yourself today fourth in Ligue 1, three points off the podium, qualified for the Coupe de France and already qualified after six Champions League matches, I find it extraordinary. I want to take my hat off to this Lille team. »
A LOSC in overdrive?
However, caution remains in order at Walid Acherchourwho seems to have some doubts about the ability of the Mastiffs to go the distance against their main opponents in Ligue 1.
“Can this last the entire second part of the season? That's my big question. I find that they outperform a minimum, compared to everything I just mentioned. Compared to all the teams in the top 5, this is the team that outperforms the most. For the players, if you tell me at the start of the season that this team realize that, I don't believe it for a single second. I want us to idealize the squad, because there are technical players, very interesting, beautiful players that we like to see, but it remains a big surprise ».
An opinion that is not really shared by Grégory Paisley. « At one point, they had four defeats in a row and it could have gone either way. They showed character. There, they remain in 17 matches, in all competitions, without defeat. This proves the quality of this group. Maybe they outperform in certain matches, especially in the Champions League. Now, going 17 matches without defeat proves that there is a solid base. The results in the Champions League also gave a lot of confidence and a professional player walks on confidence. »
Photo credits: Pressinphoto/Icon Sport
