After having brought down Real Madrid, Atlético, and held Juventus in check, Lille goes to Anfield for a new European challenge, undoubtedly even greater, Tuesday (9:00 p.m.): Liverpool, “the best team in the world today”.
The observation is clear, shared by Bafodé Diakité and Lucas Chevalier as well as other assiduous observers of world football: there are not many teams above the Reds since the start of the season, if any.
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.
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 (thirteen points), synonymous with the round of 16 of the most prestigious competition between clubs, before this duel then a final home match against Feyenoord.
Liverpool players take part in a training session at the team’s training ground in Liverpool, January 20, 2025, on the eve of their Champions League match against Lille / Paul ELLIS / AFP
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.
“Liverpool will take us seriously”
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.
-Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier celebrates his team’s victory at the end of the L1 match against Nice, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, January 17, 2025 / Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP
“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.
Lille therefore arrives in the city of the Beatles carried by a good dynamic, the best in the history of the club, even, with 21 matches without the slightest defeat.
Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah (2nd R) during a training session at the team’s training ground in Liverpool on January 20, 2025, on the eve of their Champions League match Champions against Lille / Paul ELLIS / AFP
Enough to believe in an achievement, provided you don’t let yourself be impressed by Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Anfield and his famous singing « 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! »
