Metz (AFP)

Mistreated by an attractive Metz team, Lille still managed to win (2-0) thanks to their Turkish scorers Burak Yilmaz and Zeki Celik and thus consolidated their position as leader of L1, Friday at the opening of the 32nd day.

A week after regaining the lead in the championship by winning in Paris (1-0) after a very intelligent performance, Losc experienced all the sorrows in the world to win and can especially thank his goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who rejected a penalty and made several decisive saves.

This forceps victory allows the Northerners to put pressure on his trio of pursuers since Paris, Monaco and Lyon are temporarily relegated to six, seven and eight lengths behind the leader, who totals 69 points.

In the absence of its Canadian striker Jonathan David, hit in the right ankle just before scoring the winning goal in Paris last weekend and unavailable for at least two weeks, the Lille lacked presence in the area of repair despite the enormous activity of Yilmaz and struggled to be dangerous.

But they have shown a formidable efficiency which allowed them to garner their 20th success of the season.

Determined and aggressive, the Garnets posed great difficulties for the Northerners, whether in the physical field as in the technical aspect.

They were able to project themselves very quickly forward and secure several opportunities.

The Lorrainers have also touched the post and can therefore have regrets as their performance was interesting.

In the standings, they fall to tenth place (42 points).

- Decisive Maignan -

The Mastiffs started the game with a bang, but FC Metz, very well in place, also made a good start to the match and disturbed the leader.

After a free kick from Habib Maïga pushed back by the wall, the recovery of John Boye was deflected by the arm of José Fonte and after consulting the images of the VAR, Mr. Turpin designated the penalty spot.

Aaron Leya Iseka crossed his shot but Maignan relaxed to push the ball away and avoid a cold sweat for his team (17th).

Enterprising, the Lorrainers continued to project themselves and to retreat from the defense of Losc, obtaining several corners which did not yield anything, however.

Lille often lacked precision and this unusual technical waste angered Christophe Galtier, like his moody gesture after an easy check missed by Jonathan Ikoné (38th).

The Northerners, more aggressive in the pressing, finished the first period better, but without succeeding in worrying the Moselle goalkeeper.

- Yilmaz rewarded -

Back from the locker room, Lille fell asleep and was heavily dominated by Metz for nearly a quarter of an hour.

The Garnets thus obtained several goal situations: Maignan again interposed on strikes from Leya Iseka (50th) and Boulaya (58th), and was saved by his post on a shot from Pape Matar Sarr deflected by Sven Botman (52nd).

But in the process, the Mastiffs showed a cold realism by opening the scoring on their first big opportunity of the game: launched by Renato Sanches, Yilmaz infiltrated the area and scored with an overpowering strike ( 0-1, 59e).

The Turk, who had not found the net in L1 for three months, scored his tenth goal at the best time for Losc.

He was thus rewarded for his enormous debauchery of energy.

The Messins did not give up and continued to multiply overflows and crosses, without success.

And at the end of the match, Celik ensured Lille's victory with a clear shot in the area after a quickly played corner (0-2, 88th).

© 2021 AFP