Without desire and without ideas in the first period and then lacking in efficiency in the second, Losc was hooked by a valiant Lorraine team and lost two more precious points in the race for European places.

While they could take 5th place if successful, Jocelyn Gourvennec's players remain stuck in ninth place (36 points).

With 21 units on the clock, Metz temporarily regains the place of play-off (18th) in Saint-Etienne thanks to a better goal difference.

The Mastiffs will have to considerably raise their level of play on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge or risk reliving a nightmarish evening like against Paris SG two weeks ago (1-5).

The timid reaction to Montpellier last weekend (1-0), was not extended on Friday and it is with great doubt that the French champion will challenge the defending champion in C1.

A faulty offensive animation

The Northerners, who chained a second clean sheet (no goal conceded) for the first time this season, were still very insufficient in the offensive animation.

With only two goals scored in the last four games and their top scorer Jonathan David who has been silent for six league games, the Mastiffs show a worrying face.

While the match was almost postponed due to storm Eunice which left eight seriously injured and significant material damage in Hauts-de-France, the players were completely absent from the debates during the first period.

LOSC striker Burak Yilmaz outstripped by Messin defender Kiki Kouyaté in the draw (0-0) in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, February 18, 2022 DENIS CHARLET AFP

The level of the meeting was distressing on both sides during the first 45 minutes with a distressing technical waste, like Lille's Tiago Djalo or Messin Ibrahim Amadou.

Apart from an off target header from Sven Botman from a corner, there were no chances or even dangerous situations.

The Mastiffs multiplied the bad choices and proved unable to circumvent the garnet block, while the Mosellens hardly tried anything.

The public also whistled the two teams on their return to the locker room...

After half-time, the Lille returned to the lawn with much better intentions, if only in the desire and determination, which had been lacking in the first period.

David not successful

Quickly, the Losc created the danger, with in particular a good tumble from Gabriel Gudmundsson whose center was diverted by Dylan Bronn (47th), then David, who superbly took the ball with a pigeon wing on an opening by Benjamin André but missed his shot from the left (52nd).

The Canadian, not successful in recent weeks and who seems physically struggling, then stumbled on Marc-Aurèle Caillard after being launched deep by Burak Yilmaz (69th).

Meanwhile, captain José Fonte had sent his recovery over from a corner (59th).

Lille striker Jonathan David was muzzled by the Metz defense, like Matthieu Udol in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, on February 18, 2022 DENIS CHARLET AFP

The Northerners, by dint of discovering themselves to force the decision, also left spaces and were almost surprised by enterprising Lorrainers.

Thus, Botman narrowly countered a shot from Louis Mafouta (65th), and after a save from the Dutchman's head, it was Fonte who narrowly deflected a point-blank shot from Farid Boulaya which had followed well (68th) .

The end of the match was tense with the exclusion of Lille's Edon Zhegrova (90th) and that of the Moselle coach Frédéric Antonetti for an altercation with the northern sports coordinator Sylvain Armand (90th +5).

Losc, who also lost their English winger Angel Gomes to injury, had a very bad evening and did not prepare as well as possible for their clash against Chelsea...

© 2022 AFP