In the absence of their coach Jocelyn Gourvennec, in solitary confinement after testing positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, the Lille players easily dominated overwhelmed Bretons, especially in the first period, like their goalkeeper Paul Nardi.

Half an hour into the game, the Mastiffs had already killed all suspense by scoring three times by Isaac Lihadji (10th), Moritz Jenz against his side (19th) and Reinildo (30th).

Sambou Soumano reduced the score for the Lorientais in added time (90th + 2).

Three days after bringing back a valiant draw from Marseille (1-1), where they had played ten for an hour, the Northerners recorded their eighth success of the season and moved up to eighth place with 32 points, just three lengths of the fourth, Strasbourg.

The Hakes, who have not won for four months, have chained a 14th match without a win in the league (5 draws, 9 defeats) and remain stuck in the place of barrage (18th) with 17 units on the clock.

After the presentation to the meager public of Ben Arfa and Edon Zhegrova, the two winter recruits, Losc started the meeting with a bang by suffocating the Bretons.

Lille's new striker, Hatem Ben Arfa, is presented to the public, before the late match of the 20th day of Ligue 1 against Lorient, on January 19, 2022 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq DENIS CHARLET AFP

This domination quickly paid off as Lihadji pushed into the back of the net a cross from Jonathan Bamba repelled by Nardi on his teammate Léo Pétrot (1-0, 10th).

Then on a free kick from Burak Yilmaz deflected by the wall, the Morbihan goalkeeper diverted the ball … on Jenz, another player from his team who scored against his side (2-0, 19th).

On a new free kick, this time shot by Renato Sanches, Nardi then missed his exit and was overtaken by Reinildo, who increased the score with his head (3-0, 30th).

Lille's Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava (d) beats his Belgian teammate Amadou Onana and scores the 3rd goal against Lorient goalkeeper Paul Nardi, during their late match of the 20th day of Ligue 1, January 19, 2022 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq DENIS CHARLET AFP

Stunned, the Bretons only reacted after the break: it was thus necessary to wait for the 48th minute and a strike from Terem Moffi captured in two stages by Ivo Grbic to see the first Lorient opportunity.

Shortly after, it was Vincent Le Goff who came up against the Croatian goalkeeper (54th).

Finally, FCL was rewarded for its selflessness by reducing Samano's score (3-1, 90th + 2).

In the second half, Lille was content to manage its advantage, getting a few situations like this shot from Jonathan David just next door (51st), and was able to rotate its workforce for the trip to Brest where victory will still be imperative Saturday to stay in the chasing peloton.

© 2022 AFP