Author of a feat in Seville (1-2), Lille is aiming for qualification in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
An eternity. Authors of a sensational feat in Seville, Lille have been waiting for this moment for nearly nine years. With their backs to the wall before this momentous meeting, the proteges of Jocelyn Gourvennec created a sensation in an impregnable fortress in La Liga. Second in group G thanks to a better goal difference, the Mastiffs now have their destiny in their hands to qualify for the round of 16 of the most prestigious of European competitions.
«Sweet night in Seville»
They were expected at the turn, they answered present. Despite the opening scoring of Lucas Ocampos in the quarter of an hour of play, the Mastiffs were able to turn their backs to turn the tide. Under the leadership of a Jonathan David of the great evenings, Lille returned to the game thanks to a penalty converted by the home scorer. Back from the locker room, Jonathan Ikoné scored the victory goal for Lille. A high-end performance that allows Lille to seize second place in Pool G.
Questioned by LOSC observers, Jocelyn Gourvennec savored this success after the meeting. “We can say that it is an achievement because Seville is intractable at home. Only Dortmund and Liverpool have come to win here recently in the Champions League. The collective discipline that we showed this evening, added to the efficiency, that changes a lot of things.»
Only 12th in Ligue 1, José Fonte and Lille were eager to show a better face on the European stage. “The quality is always there. We have not forgotten that we are the reigning French champions and we have a lot of qualities.»Confided the captain of LOSC.
Quite the opposite of Seville, imperial in La Liga at home which finds itself last in the group. “The outcome of the match is negative. We lost three points, we complicated the path to qualification (for the round of 16).Julian Lopetegui said after the meeting. A “sweet night in Seville»For Lille in One of the team, with the gaze turned towards the next deadline and the reception of the leader, Salzburg.
Qualification in the sights
In a homogeneous pool, where nothing is done, Salzburg leader has only four lengths ahead of the last, Seville. Against the Austrians, Lille will be able to take a real option on qualification in case of success. Not an easy task, as Salzburg dominated the first leg against the Mastiffs (2-1). But after the victory gleaned in Seville, Lille clearly shows its ambitions. “From the start we believed in qualifying and now it is confirmed a little more»Affirms Jonathan Ikoné. Aware of the task at hand, Jocelyn Gourvennec does not want to give in to the runaway. “There was satisfaction in the locker room but it was not exuberant because the players know that nothing has been done so far».
Despite his leadership position, Salzburg fell on the lawn of Wolfsburg on Tuesday (2-1). What to give ideas to Lille, which runs behind a new participation in the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2007.
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