Villeneuve-d'Ascq (AFP)

Abused, Lille finally snatched a draw (1-1) against a solid team from Strasbourg, a disappointing performance that will nevertheless allow the Mastiffs to keep their chair as leader of L1 on Sunday, at the end of the 27th day.

Three days after his elimination in the Europa League on the lawn of Ajax Amsterdam, the Losc, very clumsy, seemed helpless in the face of very well organized Strasbourg.

Ludovic Ajorque's goal (36th) was almost enough for the Alsatians to create a surprise, but captain José Fonte equalized at the end of the game (86th).

Two weeks after being hooked by Brest (0-0), the Northerners, still in difficulty facing a low block, still gave up precious points at home in the title race, while perilous trips to Monaco, Paris and Lyon are expecting them in the coming weeks.

With 59 points on the clock, the Mastiffs are ahead of PSG by two points, while Lyon, which travels to Marseille on Sunday evening, and Monaco, winner of Brest (2-0) on Sunday, are four lengths away.

The RCSA, he would have deserved to win but must be content with a draw that allows him to reach the 30 point mark and climb to 15th place.

Faced with a very regrouped Alsatian team, Lille struggled to find spaces between the two very compact defensive lines.

Despite a very important possession, the Mastiffs had only one situation in the first twenty minutes: alerted in the area by Jonathan Ikoné, Benjamin André sent a center cleared in extremis by a Strasbourg defender in front of Jonathan David (16th) .

Then, after a nice full-axis rush, Ikoné wasted a great opportunity by forgetting to serve Luiz Araujo, alone in the area (33rd).

The RCSA, which was more and more threatening, then punished Losc on its first opportunity: a cross from Frédéric Guilbert superbly taken from the far post with a volley of the flat foot by Ajorque (1-0, 36 ').

The Reunionese, who scored his 11th goal of the season, almost offered himself a double in stride but his head at close range was pushed back in two stages by Mike Maignan (38th).

- Cast iron saves appearances -

Stung, the Northerners reacted quickly but the head of Sven Botman was diverted by Eiji Kawashima (42nd).

Then David, launched ideally by Ikoné, shot above (44th).

As soon as the restart, Racing still came close to KO taking advantage of the feverishness of the Mastiffs: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde intercepted a pass from Reinildo then resisted Botman before shooting just off (47th).

The people of Lille, who have shown a lot of technical waste, have experienced all the trouble in the world to worry about Strasbourg residents, impressive in mastery and determination.

The entries of Timothy Weah, Yusuf Yazici and Xeka on the hour mark woke up Losc a little, who then got two chances by Ikoné, whose shot was repelled by Kawashima (62nd), and Xeka, who did not 'did not frame his center-shot (64th).

After new attempts from Weah (74th) and Yazici (78th), the Mastiffs finally managed to snatch the equalizer ... thanks to two defensive players: Benjamin André centered for his captain Fonte, who resumed victoriously from the head (1-1, 86th).

A lesser evil for Lille, who delivered a very disappointing performance.

© 2021 AFP