Lille (AFP)

Dauphin of Rennes before the 6th day of Ligue 1 thanks to its solid defense, Lille is running well despite the lack of efficiency of its new pair of attackers composed of Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz.

Both are expected in Strasbourg on Sunday (3 p.m.).

Faced with an opponent who has one of the most permeable defenses in the championship (10 goals conceded), the Northerners should have opportunities.

It will still be necessary to conclude them.

With six goals scored in five games, Christophe Galtier's men do not panic the counters.

"I think our good start to the season is linked to our defensive stance and our organization. We only conceded two goals, both on set pieces as we led in the score," recalled the coach.

This does not prevent him from expecting even more from his attackers in terms of defensive work, a necessary condition to play with a high block.

An area where the pair made up of Loïc Rémy and Victor Osimhen, both gone to the transfer window, had quickly found habits.

"It's a question of coordination, I have nothing to say about their willingness to make the effort," said Galtier, who no longer deviates from a 4-4-2 system where complementarities are essential.

Important for the collective balance, this setting is however not the most awaited on the northern side.

It is indeed in the ability to score that Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz, the two newcomers of the summer, are slow to meet expectations.

- One goal for the attacking duo -

The first, record transfer in the club's history (27 M EUR), favored the goal against his camp of Nicolas Pallois against Nantes (2-0) a week ago but has not yet released his personal counter.

His friend has just done it, but on a penalty at the end of the match against Nantes who pushed to equalize.

For now, the difference has been made by Jonathan Bamba and Luiz Araujo, authors of two achievements each ... while they had only accumulated three between them last season.

Unexpected saviors, of whom nothing says they will be able to keep up.

Especially since the Brazilian is one of the courted players and could leave before the end of the transfer window Monday evening.

The team of attack, which leaves with a clear lead over the competition in the eyes of the technical staff, will therefore have to take over.

"What is important is to create chances. We do it more and more, without being effective, but at some point our attackers will convert them. Automatically, session after session and game after game, we will s 'improve on the offensive level,' said Galtier.

"Let's keep this state of mind of not wanting to make mistakes in the + process + by telling ourselves that we have to attack in numbers and discover ourselves. Let's stay solid and I am convinced that our quality in front will make it possible to make differences", a- he added.

With three wins and two draws, Lille can work in serenity before the arrival of the European games.

Placed in the group of Sparta Prague, Celtic Glasgow and AC Milan in the Europa League, the northern club hopes to get out of the hens.

But the main objective remains the podium in Ligue 1, and the qualification in the Champions League that goes with it.

Hence an obligation to rotate which could shake up the hierarchy ... or accelerate the awakening of his pair of attackers.

© 2020 AFP