TO ANALYSE – In delicacy since the start of the season, the Turkish center forward has the opportunity to revive this Friday (9 p.m.), against Paris Saint-Germain.
The episode did not go unnoticed. Last Saturday, during the reception against Stade Brestois (1-1), Burak Yilmaz was replaced by Jonathan Ikoné in the 77th minute. Frustrated, the Turkish center forward, instead of taking the direction of the Mastiff bench, file … directly to the locker room. “We saw each other, yes. He told me he was frustrated with the result and the fact that we are still tied with Brest. He wanted to do a lot for the team. He apologized, attenuated Jocelyn Gourvennec at a press conference. The president (Olivier Létang, Editor’s note) saw it too. I told him it was important to keep our unity. That we had to overcome the frustration of dominating without scoring. That we had to keep our energy to score goals.“If the situation was, obviously, quickly calmed down, the incident is nonetheless symptomatic of the evil that gnaws the 36-year-old striker at the start of the season, he who had had a dream start in the North.
A goalscorer who reigned supreme in Ligue 1 last season …
Summer 2020. After long negotiations, the native of Antalya is seduced by Luis Campos, then in charge of recruiting Lille, and decides to join the Mastiffs. A true star in his country, “King Burak” – his nickname – found a new kingdom in France. He quickly splashed his talent in Ligue 1 and largely contributed to the conquest of the title of champion of France, at the end of a frantic race against Paris, Monaco and Lyon. 16 goals, often decisive, and 5 assists: the numbers don’t lie.
SEE AS WELL – Burak Yilmaz’s incredible impact at LOSC last season
Concretely, he made the difference, as Christophe Galtier described it last April, after his salutary double against OL (2-3): “Burak Yilmaz is a player who won titles in Turkey, who went to big clubs. We can all see it in his preparation, he is focused on the competition. I look at what is happening in Paris, Monaco, Lyon. It’s the front-line players who make the difference. This is also the case with us. ”. But during the season, the influence of the Turkey international has not been limited to statistics.
His incredible activity, determination and resilience are all qualities that have reflected on his teammates. And have made him a constant threat to his opponents. If he was not elected best player at the end of the past financial year, a title inherited from Kylian Mbappé, Burak Yilmaz still left his mark on the championship in 2020-2021.
… but no longer as sovereign this season
The problem is that since the takeover, “King Burak” is no longer so sovereign. The Lille off-season was lively. Christophe Galtier left, replaced by Jocelyn Gourvennec, and several executives of the workforce such as Mike Maignan and Boubakary Soumaré went to continue their progress elsewhere. So many changes that have upset the balance of Losc. The Mastiffs are skating at the start of the season, both in Ligue 1 (10th, the ranking here) and the Champions League (3rd in their pool, the ranking here). And the center forward no longer weighs as much. Its impact has greatly diminished. He has 3 goals and 3 assists to his credit in 12 matches in all competitions. Statistics far from those of 2020-21 …
For his new coach, this drop in speed would be the result of the sequence of matches. “In terms of stats yes, it is less good. But he gives a lot. He plays every three or four days. The matches are linked, it is energy consuming. There is more fatigue, therefore more frustration», Assures Gourvennec. Before adding: “Burak is tensed, the fact of being on a poorer series tenses up the last move. You need more lightness and fluidity, it allows you to finish the actions better.This Friday (9 p.m.), against Paris Saint-Germain, at the opening of the 12th day of Ligue 1, Burak Yilmaz has the opportunity to prove that his reign is not yet over.
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