A January in hell. Three days after losing in the Europa League on the pitch of Celta Vigo (2-1), LOSC sank this Sunday evening against Strasbourg, at the end of the 19th day of Ligue 1 (1-4). In the turmoil following rumors of the resignation of their coach Bruno Genesio, ultimately denied by the club, the Mastiffs appeared totally lost defensively. In great difficulty behind them, they conceded four goals out of the six Alsatian shots on target.
A real slap in the face, one more, which extends Lille’s black streak. Still looking for their first success in 2026, they remain on five consecutive defeats in all competitions. Worse, they have only won twice in their last eight outings.
Symbol of the northerners’ fall: these two goals conceded in quick succession before the half-hour mark, respectively scored by Joaquín Panichelli (0-1, 25th) and Julio Enciso (0-2, 26th), the Paraguayan having managed to score from the throw-in. If the residents of the Stade Pierre Mauroy reacted, in the wake of a generous and dangerous Ethan Mbappé, they never managed to beat a Mike Penders imperial in front of Ayyoub Bouaddi (38th) then Chancel Mbemba (45th + 3).
Exit under the whistles for Giroud
At bay defensively, Mbappé and his partners exploded in flight during the second act, suffering a double from Martial Godo (58th, 72nd) at the end of two high-quality collective actions. Enough to provoke the wrath of their supporters, who even reserved a bronca for Olivier Giroud, powerless this Sunday, when he was replaced. If Matías Fernández-Pardo saved the honor at the very end of the match (1-4, 90th + 3), it was not enough to calm the frustration of the Lille ultras, ulcerated at the final whistle.
Suspended, Bruno Genesio watched his team’s ordeal from the stands. Will he sit down on the bench next Thursday for the reception of Friborg in the Europa League? Nothing is less certain, as the 59-year-old technician appeared unclear about his future after the setback in Vigo. “I will assume my responsibilities,” he declared at a press conference. “The main responsibility is me since I am the one who makes the team but there are a lot of people who have to question themselves and take responsibility for theirs. But I’ll take mine (…) You’ll see in the coming days what that means…”
