Unbeaten in their last 21 games, Lille prepare to face their biggest challenge yet when they travel to Anfield to face the Reds, who are currently dominating the group stage. This test promises to be crucial.
After triumphing over clubs such as Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and holding Juventus to a draw, Lille prepares for a new European challenge this Tuesday against Liverpool, who many consider to be “the best team in the world right now . »
The consensus is clear, as highlighted by players Bafodé Diakité and Lucas Chevalier, as well as informed observers of world football: very few clubs have managed to surpass the Reds this season. Thus, with humility and caution, the people of Lille crossed the Channel. “We are going to play our game, we are not setting specific goals, like saying we are going to win,” Diakité said.
Lille are at the end of a grueling journey that the Champions League group stage has imposed on them, and they are coming through successfully against many predictions. After an initial defeat in Lisbon against Sporting (2-0), their only misstep, Lille then beat Real Madrid (1-0), overthrew Atlético (3-1) in the Spanish capital, drew with Juventus (1-1), before triumphing over Bologna (2-1) and Sturm Graz (3-2).
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This magnificent series led to an unexpected ranking at this stage of the competition: eighth place (13 points), guaranteeing their qualification for the round of 16 of the most prestigious European competition, before this crucial duel and a final home match. against Feyenoord.
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On the other hand, Liverpool have already secured one of the coveted places, posting a perfect record so far (6 games, 18 points). The club from the North West of England dominate both the European and domestic scene, with just one defeat in the Premier League.
Feared by many fans, the successor to Jürgen Klopp, the charismatic manager of the Reds for almost a decade (2015-2024), has enjoyed resounding success under the direction of Arne Slot. “It’s the best European team, maybe even the best in the world at the moment,” said Chevalier. “We are going there with ambitions, but as with many Champions League matches, we are not the favorites. We will try to play our game, take advantage of this moment, and who knows, maybe create a surprise. Liverpool will take us seriously because we are in good shape. With strong values we can achieve something. »
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After a difficult start to the year, marked by draws against Nantes (1-1) and Auxerre (0-0), Lille found its rhythm, qualifying for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Marseille and climbing to the Ligue 1 podium with a victory against Nice (2-1) in a match between European hopefuls.
It is therefore a reinvigorated Lille team which travels to the city of the Beatles, buoyed by an impressive series, the best in the club’s history with 21 unbeaten matches. With this in mind, they harbor hopes of an achievement, but they must be wary of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Anfield with his famous “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” »
