Is Hazard's Losc 2011 stronger than Yazici's Losc 2021?
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M.Libert / 20 Minutes (on the left) and D.Charlet / AFP
Championship leader sixteen days from the end, Losc can begin to dream of the title.
On paper, the 2021 team competes in many areas with its 2011 predecessor crowned champion of France.
But there are still many obstacles before winning the Grail.
In the cult film
The City of Fear,
Dominique Farrugia rightly wondered who was stronger between the elephant and the hippopotamus.
It is as difficult to answer this question as to know who is stronger between Losc 2011 and Losc 2021. Leader of Ligue 1 after 22 days and 48 points, the current team is having an exceptional season.
To the point of starting to dream of equaling the band at Hazard crowned champion of France ten years ago.
The opportunity to start the game of comparisons with the external gaze of Gregory Tafforeau, former captain of Losc who became a consultant on France Bleu Nord.
Attack: Losc advantage 2011
Interchangeable players facing a dream trio.
This season, when Yilmaz is injured, Yazici scores.
When David struggles, Bamba takes over.
But in 2011, the Hazard, Sow, Gervinho association was indisputable, irreplaceable and undoubtedly above it.
“In 2011, Losc were more dependent on their attack than this season's team.
Hazard, Sow and Gervinho were super influential.
Sow finished over 20 goals [24].
There was really a more important line of attack than this year, ”Tafforeau analyzes.
Defense: Losc 2021 advantage
Debuchy, Rami, Chedjou, Béria against Celik, Botman, Fonte, Reinildo (or Bradaric).
On paper, the defenses of the two teams are equal.
With a slight advantage to the current very complementary Fonte-Botman hinge.
“It's the strong point of this season even if the team is a little more in difficulty on the sides.
Botman feels like he's been around for years as he arrived this season.
And his complementarity with Fonte, who is a very experienced player, works very well.
"
Midfielder: Losc advantage 2011
Mavuba, Cabaye, Balmont against André and Soumaré or Sanches or Xeka.
Basically, André is raining and shining this season in the Lille area.
Which makes Losc dependent on him where in 2011, Lille had more options.
“When André is not there, you can feel it right away.
He's making the transition.
In his absence, you feel that it is a little more complicated for this team ”.
Playstyle: Losc Advantage 2011
Goals galore and an attacking game.
When we remember Losc 2011, it is often the matches at the Stadium with a minimum price of two to three goals difference that come back to mind.
Conversely, Lille this season, despite a beautiful autumn, has been less flamboyant since January but very effective.
“In 2011, it was fun because we saw goals almost every game.
It was quite spectacular.
It was Hazard's year, he was impressive.
This season we had a lot of fun at the start but it looks like the team has become a little more predictable since January.
In terms of individualities, the 2021 squad is a tone below.
Even if there is an important collective force which can compensate for the bad periods of individuals ”, analyzes Tafforeau
Coach: Losc 2021 advantage
Garcia or Galtier.
For Tafforeau, who has never really carried the current OL coach in his heart, the choice is quickly made.
“In 2011, I think Losc would have been champion with any coach.
Whereas this year, I don't think that this team is in the same place with another coach.
For me, Galtier is vastly superior to Garcia.
He is really the right person in the right place ”
Adversity: Losc 2021 advantage
In 2011, the Qatari PSG did not yet exist.
Le Losc fought for the title against a beautiful team from Marseille, champion of France 2010. But nothing comparable with stars like Neymar or Mbappé who play today in Paris.
“There is more adversity today.
There are also more surprises.
The last can hit the first.
And then, in 2011, the Losc seemed programmed to be champion which is not the case this season, “admits the former defender.
Benchmarks: Losc 2021 advantage
If there is one area in which the team this season seems far superior to that of 2011, it is in the choice of substitutes.
Christophe Galtier has a much larger and more competitive squad than Garcia's.
" There is no photo.
There is a bench depth and a more fleshed out group.
In 2011, Garcia had fewer solutions and could make the season with 16 players.
Galtier's strength lies in having a group concerned because everyone knows they can play at any time.
The players in the group appear to be interchangeable.
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Our file on Losc
Balance sheet
With four points against three, the Losc 2021, more solid, more complementary, seems on paper a little stronger than the 2011 team. But nothing says that Lille will repeat its performance to finish champion because the course is still strewn with 'pitfalls sixteen days from the end.
“It will be difficult to go to the end.
Paris and Lyon are also very well armed.
And then, the Losc calendar is difficult.
We still have to go to Paris, Lyon and Monaco.
It won't be easy, ”admits Tafforeau.
Going for the title looks like an even bigger feat than ten years ago.
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