The joy of Lille qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League -

AFP

  • Winner of Sparta Prague (2-1), Lille will play the round of 16 of the Europa League next February.

  • This success acquired thanks to a double from Burak Yilmaz will allow Losc to devote themselves to Ligue 1 for two months.

Ten years that Lille has been waiting for this.

Winner Thursday night of Sparta Prague (2-1), Losc will see European spring for the first time since 2011. Qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League, the northern club will be determined on December 14.

“We qualified on the evening of the 5th day which is a performance.

The players went for this qualification.

The credit goes to them in a group that was open, ”said Christophe Galtier, Lille coach.

Even if the leader of Group H, still undefeated on the European scene this season, will have been hot before he can finally breathe.

Skilled in pain

For a long time, it was believed that the curse of the Pierre Mauroy stadium in the European Cup was going to strike again.

Unable to win at home on the European scene for eight years and fourteen games, Lille has finally put an end to its black series.

But how hard it was for Christophe Galtier's men.

Largely domineering, Lille have long stumbled on the Czech defense despite the many opportunities of Araujo (31st, 36th), André (45th), David (49th) or even Xeka (56th).

Worse, while Sparta had just been reduced to ten after the expulsion of Celutska (64th), Losc found a way to take a pawn.

On a marking more than loose from Bradaric, Krejci placed a perfect header in the goal of Maignan (71st).

A big blow for the northern club before Burak Yilmaz donates the costume of the savior.

Yilmaz, strong as a Turk

If Lille are in the round of 16 of the Europa League, they can say a big thank you to Burak Yilmaz.

Came into play in the 77th minute to put back a Losc led to the score in the direction of travel, the 35-year-old striker fulfilled his mission perfectly.

By taking a cross from Weah (80th) and wrapping a magnificent strike (84th), the Turk signed a double in four minutes that changes everything.

Arrived this summer in Lille, the experienced player is one of the great northerners satisfaction.

With six goals in Ligue 1 and a brace in the Europa League, Yilmaz is even one of Losc's offensive centerpieces.

Priority to Ligue 1 until February

With this qualification acquired a day before the end of the group stage, the Losc will travel in flip-flops on the Celtic lawn on Thursday.

There is no doubt that Christophe Galtier will align an bis team to bet everything on Ligue 1 until the winter break.

Because the important deadlines arrive for the second in Ligue 1 who will successively face Monaco, Bordeaux, Paris and Montpellier by Christmas.

A program on which the northern club will be able to devote itself entirely before returning to the Europa League on February 18 and 25.

What to see coming.

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