Compositions, issues, history of confrontations, discover the essential information to remember a few hours before the match between LOSC and Nantes for the 16th day of Ligue 1.
Points not to leave behind
As is customary, LOSC has already dropped points against opponents well within its reach since the start of the season, whether at Saint-Etienne (1-0 defeat) or more recently at Montpellier (2-2). Faced with Nantes, another candidate for retention and the most reliable opponent this January, any misstep is prohibited to stay in contact with the podium. Especially since the Canaries are going through a real zone of turbulence, with Antoine Kombouaré who came very close to leaving during the winter break. Sportingly, the situation is not very good with only one victory in the last twelve Ligue 1 matches for the Canaries (7 defeats, 4 draws). It’s up to Lille to be at their level to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Fernandez-Pardo and Sahraoui on the wings?
In a week with one match to return to competition, Bruno Genesio should field the best possible team. If he will have to take into account the state of form of Angel Gomes, back from injury and undoubtedly a little tight to start, the Lille technician has a perfectly viable solution in support of Jonathan Davidin the person ofHakon Haraldsson. Rémy Cabella is also applying, just like for the left winger position, where Osame Sahraoui leaves with a head start due to his ease facing low blocks. On the other hand, if he is more of a wide-open space player, Matias Fernandez-Pardo represents the only real solution in the absence of Edon Zhegrova and Mitchel Bakker.
Bruno Genesio in the dark about the opponent
“We don’t really know in what system they will evolve. If we rely on the last matches, we tend to say that they will be five behind. But as I often say, we concentrate 80% on our game, regardless of the opponent and without offending anyone. I remain convinced that working on our strengths and areas for improvement remains the most important. We are also used to facing low blocks with grouped teams playing against each other. We expect all the possibilities for tomorrow, I don’t know what Antoine (Kombouaré) has prepared for us. He has so much experience that we can expect different things, including a four-man defense. This is why I prefer to concentrate on our strengths, even if we take the adversary into account. »
History: perfect equality
In 98 matches since 1964, the balance sheet of confrontations between LOSC and Nantes is perfectly balanced with 36 wins for each team and 26 draws. Nevertheless, the current dynamic is clearly in favor of the Northerners, who have not lost to the Canaries since September 29, 2015. That is 17 matches without defeat (13 wins, 4 draws), the longest series of invincibility in the history of the club in the elite against the same opponent. Last season, Lille emerged victorious in both matches, winning at home thanks to goals from David and Ounas. On the return, the Canadian striker saw double again in a match marked by Lucas Chevalier’s injury.
The latest confrontations:
L1 – 12/05/24: Nantes – Lille : 1-2 (David x2)
L1 – 20/08/23 : Lille-Nantes: 2-0 (David, Ounas)
L1 – 27/05/23 : Lille-Nantes: 2-1 (David x2)
L1 – 12/08/22 : Nantes-Lille : 1-1 (Ismaily)
L1 – 03/19/22: Nantes-Lille : 0-1 (Drunken)
LOSC – NANTES
16th day of Ligue 1
Saturday January 4, 7 p.m.
Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneuve-d’Ascq
Photo credits: Loic Baratoux/FEP/Icon Sport
