A new major challenge faces Lille this Tuesday evening (9 p.m.) on the European scene. On the pitch at Anfield in Liverpool, Bruno Genesio’s men will come up against what is currently the best on the planet of football, for the penultimate day of the league phase of the Champions League.
The observation is clear, shared by Bafodé Diakité and Lucas Chevalier as well as other assiduous observers: there are not many teams above the Reds since the start of the season, if at all. It is therefore with humility and caution in their speech that the Northerners cross the Channel. “We are going to play our game, we are not going to try to give ourselves objectives, to tell ourselves that we are going to win,” announces Diakité.
THE Reds are almost unbeatable…
Losc is no longer very far from completing the obstacle course that the league phase has reserved for it and which it is running through, defying many predictions. After an initial defeat in Lisbon against Sporting (2-0), its only hiccup, Lille beat Real Madrid (1-0), overthrew Atlético (3-1) in the Spanish capital, contained Juventus (1 -1) then mastered Bologna (2-1) and Sturm Graz (3-2).
This magnificent series results in an unexpected ranking at this stage of the competition: eighth (13 points), synonymous for the moment with the round of 16 in the most prestigious competition between clubs, before this trip to England then a final home match against Feyenoord.
Liverpool are already assured of one of these eight precious tickets, with a faultless record so far (first, 18 points). The club from the northwest of England dominate the European and domestic scenes, with just one defeat in the Premier League.
…but Lille is in good shape
Feared by many supporters of the club, the succession of Jürgen Klopp, charismatic coach of the Reds for almost a decade (2015-2024) replaced by Arne Slot, is for the moment a clear success.
“It’s the best European team, even in the world today,” says Lucas Chevalier. We are going there with ambitions, but like many Champions League matches, we are not starting favorites. We will try to play our game, have fun, and why not create a surprise. (…) Liverpool will take us seriously because we are a team in good shape. (…) With strong values, we can do something. »
After a timid start to the year, punctuated by two draws against Nantes (1-1) then at Auxerre (0-0), Losc found itself in one week, obtaining its qualification in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Marseille, before settling on the Ligue 1 podium by winning against Nice (2-1) in a meeting between European contenders.
-« You have to listen, savor”
The people of Lille therefore arrive in the city of Beatles carried by a good dynamic, the best in the history of the club, even, with 21 matches without the slightest defeat.
Enough to believe in an achievement, provided you don’t let yourself be impressed by Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Anfield and his famous song ” You’ll never walk alone » (“You will never walk alone”, editor’s note). “That’s also one of the things to appreciate, even if it’s the opponent,” admits Lucas Chevalier. We have to listen, savor, because it may only happen once in a player’s career, and our families will be there. This is going to be beautiful! »
Monaco under high pressure as it hosts Aston Villa
AS Monaco, which has been drowning for two months and a defeat at home against Benfica Lisbon (3-2), is under high pressure when it hosts the English club Aston Villa, this Tuesday (6:45 p.m.) during the The penultimate day of the Champions League league stage.
As in the championship where Monaco is no longer advancing, the Principality team, which started its European campaign very well (10 points after 4 days), remains with two worrying defeats in the Champions League. Two days before the end of this new League phase, Monaco, 16ehas only three points ahead of Paris, the first virtual elimination.
Suffice it to say that captain Denis Zakaria, back in the competition, and his team will have to take at least one point on Tuesday. Especially since, for their last outing in C1, they will have to challenge Inter Milan (6e with 13 points) at San Siro.
But it won’t be easy against Aston Villa, who are coming off a good draw at Arsenal (2-2) in the league. In the Champions League, the “Villans” are in fifth place (13 points). Already assured of qualification for the play-offs, the Birmingham team intends to beat their opponent, and remain in the Top 8, directly qualifying for the round of 16.
