2023-08-31 21:43:49
Without shining, Lille obtained the essential by qualifying for the Europa League Conference thanks to its draw (1-1) in Rijeka acquired following extra time on Thursday, a week following its narrow 2-1 victory.
Jostled, feverish, trapped following the Croatian opener shortly before the hour mark, Losc finally avoided great disappointment by entering the European competition for which they fought last season.
Thanks to a goal from the inevitable Jonathan David (109th), the northern club also avoided a crisis which had begun to emerge following a mediocre start to the season in the game and the heavy defeat suffered at Lorient (4-1) on Sunday. .
The copy made by the players of Paulo Fonseca will probably not convince the Portuguese coach. This match was all trap, and Veldin Hodza’s clear scoring opportunity in the sixth minute confirmed it. Only an exceptional parade from Lucas Chevalier, imperial throughout the game following his poor performance last weekend in Morbihan, allowed Losc not to concede a goal from the start.
The young goalkeeper (21) might not, however, avoid the Croatian opener, coming from a free kick near the penalty area caused by a largely avoidable foul from Edon Zhegrova, who passed next to his match. After a mess, Ivan Smolcic arose to propel the ball into the Lille cage (58th).
Jonathan David, the savior
Drafts in the game, nervous and especially in lack of insurance, the Northerners were then immersed in the scenario that they wanted to avoid at all costs.
“It will be a difficult match, with a strong atmosphere once morest a team that must win, warned Paulo Fonseca before the match. I think they will play more aggressively. We have to be good mentally to play this match. We have the ambition to win. (…) We are prepared.”
It didn’t really show. A new miracle from Lucas Chevalier in front of Andrija Vukcevic allowed his team not to sink (66th), when the Lille attackers had all the trouble in the world to create chances.
Then Jonathan David emerged as a savior, as often. First twenty minutes from the end, by placing a close-range header following a superb balancing act from Ivan Cavaleiro, but his goal was disallowed following consultation with the VAR, for an unclear offside position in slow motion.
The Canadian striker therefore took it twice. At the right time, in the right place, he only had to push the ball into the net following a shot from Ismaily which had hit the post (109th).
With Lille, the whole of France breathes relief, because a second disappointment, a few weeks following Marseille’s non-qualification for the Champions League, would have taken a toll on the country’s UEFA index.
Another reason for satisfaction for Lille: Samuel Umtiti, world champion in 2018, played his first minutes in official competition with his new club when he came into play in the 115th minute.
With a workforce cut to play on several tables, Losc will know their opponents in the group stage of the C4 on Friday.
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